South Korea raises alert level as North Korea readies missile test

Last week,North Korea told foreign diplomats in Pyongyang they had until April 10 to consider evacuation,fuelling speculation that a launch was planned between Wednesday and the April 15 birthday celebrations for founding leader Kim Il-Sung.

Yesterday,the North reiterated a warning that the Korean peninsula was headed for 8220;thermo-nuclear8221; war and advised foreigners to consider leaving South Korea.

In a further sign of the rising nuclear tensions,a key border crossing between North Korea and China has been closed to tourist groups,a Chinese official said Wednesday. The South Korea-US Combined Forces Command raised its 8220;Watchcon8221; status from 3 to 2 reflecting indications of a 8220;vital threat8221;,Yonhap news agency said,citing a senior military official. Watchcon 4 is in effect during normal peacetime,while Watchcon 3 reflects indications of an important threat. Watchcon 1 is used in wartime. In a separate report,Yonhap quoted a government source as saying Pyongyang might be preparing 8220;multiple8221; launches,after other launch vehicles were reportedly detected carrying shorter-range SCUD and Rodong missiles.

Although the North8217;s warnings to embassies in Pyongyang and foreigners in the South were both largely shrugged off,there is growing global concern that sky-high tensions might trigger an incident that could swiftly escalate.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said during a visit to Rome that he had spoken to the Chinese leadership to try to calm tensions,and would discuss the issue with US President Barack Obama on Thursday.

8220;The current level of tension is very dangerous,a small incident caused by miscalculation or misjudgement may create an uncontrollable situation,8221; Ban said. White House spokesman Jay Carney,meanwhile,criticised Pyongyang for more 8220;unhelpful rhetoric8221; that only served to create more uncertainty.