South Korea’s Defense Minister Song Young-moo ordered top commanders of all military branches to remain prepared for both strategic and tactical surprises from North Korea.
 
Song dismissed Pyongyang’s recent threats to turn Seoul and Guam into a "sea of fire" as ludicrous rhetoric.


He said the North's heightening of tensions poses a serious challenge to the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the international community.
 
Military commanders should be fully prepared, Song said, to punish the North immediately and firmly if it provokes.