27-05-09 South Korea and U.S. Raise Alert Level

One day after North Korea warned of a possible attack against the South,the United States and South Korea ordered their forces here to their highest alert for three years,increasing surveillance flights and satellite reconnaissance to counter what officials termed a “grave threat.” The move was the latest sign of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula after North Korea conducted its second nuclear test on Monday, sparking a confrontation with South Korea and the international community that has built into ever more bellicose rhetoric.North Korea reinforced its menacing language by test-firing six short-range missiles earlier in the week.The South Korean Defense Ministry said allied troops,including,28,000 U.S. soldiers based in South Korea,raised their Watch Condition,or Watchcon,to the second-highest level from Watchcon 3 to Watchcon 2.South Korea has put its military on such a high level of alert only five times since hostilities in the three-year Korean War ended in an armistice in 1953,most recently when North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in October 2006.The upgraded alert provides for a significant increase in the use of reconnaissance planes and spy satellites,as well as a more vigorous gathering and analysis of electronic signals from the North,ministry officials said