US affirms commitment to defend SKorea

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen called recent North Korean aggression "belligerent, reckless behaviour." He said China appears unwilling to use its leverage to convince North Korea to rethink its potion.

"China has unique influence. Therefore, they bear unique responsibility," Mullen was reported as saying. "Now is the time for Beijing to step up to that responsibility and help guide the North, and the entire region, toward a better future."

Mullen also warned that North Korea should not mistake South Korean restraint as a lack of resolve. "Nor should they interpret it as willingness to accept continued attacks." Mullen was speaking at a joint news conference alongside his South Korean counterpart, Gen. Han Min-koo, following meetings held between the two in Seoul.

"Your readiness to defend your territory and your citizens is unmistakable, and my country's commitment to helping you do that is unquestioned," Mullen told Min-koo.

Mullen noted that with the 46 sailors killed in the sinking of a South Korean warship in March, there have been "50 deaths by DPRK hands," referring to North Korea by its formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Mullen vowed to hold more joint drills with South Korea to deter North Korean aggression.

As the officers met, North Korea staged ‘apparent’ firing exercises – its shells landing in the country's own waters north of South Korea's Baengnyeong island, a South Korean military official said.

Han called the attack a violation of the U.N. charter and armistice signed at the close of the war. He warned that South Korea and the US will quickly complete a plan to deal with North Korea's provocations, which he said have become bolder.

"If North Korea were to additionally provoke us, we will respond in a very firm manner out of self-defense, and North Korea will have to pay a very deep price for the additional provocation," Han affirmed.

North Korea also carried out an apparent military exercise within sight of Yeonpyeong Island last month following the artillery assault on the same island. Artillery shots were heard three days later as Gen. Walter Sharp, the top US commander in South Korea, toured the island in a show of solidarity with Seoul and to survey damage.