After N Korea’s nuclear test,South Korea joins US-led PSI

South Korean officials rushed to stem speculation that Seoul’s decision to join the PSI was in apparent retaliation against Monday’s nuclear test by North Korea,Yonhap news agency reported.

“The PSI is part of global efforts to curb the flow of weapons of mass destruction,” Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-ju explained.

“Seoul’s participation does not specifically target North Korea nor was it decided in consideration of current inter-Korean relations.”

The PSI,launched in 2003 by then US President George W Bush,is an international effort to interdict the transfer of banned weapons and weapons technology. The PSI currently involves more than 90 countries.

South Korea has had observer status in the PSI,but the previous government had put off full membership in an apparent bid not to anger Pyongyang.

North Korea’s official newspaper,The Rodong Sinmun,last week said South Korea’s participation would be “nothing but a gambit to conceal their belligerence and justify a new northward invasion scheme.”

But North Korean watchers are concerned that Pyongyang may use the decision as an excuse for further provocations,including military action.

Pyongyang warned on March 30,as Seoul was mulling its participation in the PSI,that South Korea “should never forget that Seoul is just 50 km away from the Military Demarcation Line.”

Seoul had been dragging its feet making a final decision on the issue,fearing an expanded role in the US-led drive could hamper efforts to free a South Korean worker detained by the North in March on charges of criticising its political system.

The North claims the South’s participation in the PSI breaches the Korean War armistice agreement,which bans any kind of blockade on the peninsula.

PSI participants are required to block,inspect and seize ships suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction and related materials.

North Korea carried out a second underground nuclear test on Monday,drawing a flurry of condemnation from the international community. It also fired three short-range missiles the same day.

Meanwhile,South Korea’s top general on Tuesday convened an emergency meeting of about 140 high-level military commanders and defence officials to discuss how to deal with the heightened tensions.

“Despite warnings,concerns and objections,North Korea finally went ahead with its nuclear test,” Gen. Kim Tae Young,chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.