Tensions Remain High on Korean Peninsula

(6 Mar 09 - RV) South Korea told the North today to immediately withdraw a threat it made against the South's commercial airliners that has forced them to stop flying near the airspace of the communist neighbour.
Also today North Korean generals met the U.S.-led United Nations command for about 45 minutes of military talks at the Panmunjom truce village in the Demilitarised Zone.

Pyongyang has scrapped a series of peace agreements with the South over Seoul's decision to link bilateral aid to progress on denuclearisation.

Lord David Alton travelled to North Korea earlier this year as part of a delegation from the British House of Lords. He says a new approach to dialogue with Pyongyang is needed -- above all one that puts human rights first.