South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak on Monday vowed a strong response to any military provocations by North Korea amid threats by Pyongyang to wage war on Seoul’s rulers. Lee, speaking at a meeting of advisers on unification, urged Pyongyang’s new leadership to focus on improving the lives of its hunger-stricken people. The North has threatened “sacred war” against the South in retaliation for perceived insults during Pyongyang’s commemoration in April of the centenary of the birth of founding leader Kim Il-Sung. “We do not want a military competition with North Korea. We have to compete over how to make the people live happily,” Lee said. “However, there will be a strong response that does not tolerate any provocation.” Concern is also growing that the communist regime could stage its third nuclear test following a failed rocket launch on April 13 that sparked international criticism. South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported Monday that the North may conduct a nuclear test in early to mid-May. “Preparations appeared to have been completed and all it needs to do is to push the button,” an unnamed Seoul government official was quoted as saying. New satellite images show more work under way at the North’s nuclear test site, a US-based specialist website reported Saturday.
