US threatened
Pyongyang's military put its strategic rocket and long-range artillery units on a war footing on Tuesday, with a fresh threat to strike targets on the US mainland, Hawaii and Guam, as well as Seoul.
The move came as the Seoul marked the third anniversary of the sinking of its naval vessel the Cheonan. Pyongyang has denied sinking the vessel.
"All artillery troops, including strategic rocket units and long-range artillery units, are to be placed under class-A combat readiness," the Korean People's Army supreme command said.
The units should be prepared to attack "all US military bases in the Asia-Pacific region, including the US mainland, Hawaii and Guam" and the ROK, said the statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency.
China on Tuesday called on all parties to remain restraint so as to ease the tension.
AFP-Xinhua
(China Daily 03/27/2013 page11)
