SKorea leader vows consequences for NKorean attack [November 29 2010]

South Koreas president took responsibility today for failing to protect his citizens from a deadly North Korean artillery attack last week, vowing tough consequences for any future aggression and expressing outrage over the "ruthlessness of the North Korean regime." Lee Myung-baks nationally televised speech came as a nuclear-powered U.S. supercarrier and a South Korean destroyer participated in joint military exercises, a united show of force nearly a week after an artillery barrage on Yeonpyeong Island killed four, including two civilians.

The local government placed the front-line island under control of the military, which could pave the way for the evacuation of about 300 remaining residents, journalists and officials. The decision allows the military to restrict the movement of civilians into and out of the island. South Koreas Defense Ministry said it would discuss whether to evacuate.

Amid the heightened tension, classified U.S. State Department documents leaked Sunday by online whistle-blower WikiLeaks showed the United States and South Korea discussing possible scenarios for reunification of the peninsula, and American worry over Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program.