North Korea provocation continues with sixth missile test

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North Korea has fired its sixth short range missile ratcheting up tensions as the U.S. and South Korea keep a watchful eye raising “watchcon” surveillance to the second highest level in years.

North Korea has threatened to attack the south after Seoul announced it will join a 95-nation U.S. sponsored program to stop the proliferation of WMD by interdicting vessels carrying contraband material that can be used to produce weapons of mass destruction.

“Sources say the combined military (U.S. and South Korea) is now fully utilizing its surveillance capabilities with high-altitude U2 and RF-4 aircrafts, and a KH-11 reconnaissance satellite operating more frequently over the North,” said a news report on the website of South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak.

“However as for its five-stage combat alert level called ‘Defcon’ the CFC is maintaining its alert at level four,” said the site.

“The boosted surveillance comes as Pyeongyang said Wednesday that in response to Seoul’s joining the Proliferation Security Initiative it will nullify the ceasefire agreement that ended the Korean War.”

North Korea fired its sixth short range missile on Friday. Earlier, it conducted an underground nuclear test making making South Korea and Japan jittery about the intentions of the reclusive state over which only China holds some sway.