North Korea rips up safeguard pact with South

North Korea has said it will rip up a military pact aimed at preventing naval clashes with the South amid mounting tensions in the region. The latest tit for tat measure came as South Korean warships carried out anti-submarine drills, to better detect intrusions.
Seoul blames Pyongyang for the torpedoing that sank one of its vessels and killed 46 sailors in March. Despite an international probe saying otherwise, the North vehemently denies the allegation.
Kim Jung il’s regime has warned of war if Seoul presses ahead with sanctions but for the moment South Koreans are still crossing the border at a joint factory complex in the North.
With relations sinking to the worst level in more than a decade a massive rally was also held in Seoul to denounce Pyongyang’s recent threats.
Most experts say neither side is ready to go to war but warn there could be more skirmishes, especially along their disputed sea border. There are also fears the conflict could be accidentally escalated.