North Korea accuses South Korea of resuming propaganda by loudspeaker at the DMZ in violation of a historic summit agreement between the two nations in 2000.

Additionally, the North alleges the current US-South Korean annual military drills were deliberately "timed to coincide with the US attack on Iraq." They believe this is an indication of US plans to initiate a pre-emptive strike on its nuclear facilities.

North Korea, Iraq, and Iran were identified by President Bush as the "Axis of Evil."

The US has ignored several opportunities in the past few months to engage North Korea diplomatically. It is the Bush administration's policy to encourage other Asia-Pacific nations (Japan, China, South Korea, and Russia) to take the lead in dealing with (i.e. paying-off) North Korea. North Korea refuses to deal with anyone but the US, and insists that a non-aggression pact be a major part of any such dealings.

This situation will get worse before it gets better.

Labels: North Korea