On
23 November North Korea shelled the island of Yeonpyeong,
killing at least four South Koreans. The disputed border
area has been the scene of numerous clashes in the past.
Won
Sei-hoon, director of South Korea's National Intelligence
Service, told a parliamentary committee behind closed
doors that the recent attacks came amid "internal
complaints" about Pyongyang's third generation succession
and worsening economic situation, according to a ruling
party official.
"There
is a high possibility that the North will make another
attack," South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted
him as saying, adding that the government was trying to
burnish the credentials of the designated leader who was
still very young and untested, and also win new concessions
from the international community.
South
Korea is building up defences on Yeonpyeong island, but
some senior officials have told the BBC they hope Mr Won
is wrong and the worst of the current crisis is over.
"There
will be ongoing measures as you said to beef up our forces
including the stationing of new weapons, upgrading our
marines on Yeonpyeong island but I think on this particular
crisis we are reaching the apex and we will see a gradual
de-escalation," said Chung Min Lee, ambassador for
international security affairs.
