10/26/11 Panetta Says North Korea Remains a ‘Serious Threat’ (New York Times)

Panetta Says North Korea Remains a ‘Serious Threat’

By ELISABETH BUMILLER

Published: October 26, 2011

In Seoul, Korea, “Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta on Wednesday called North Korea a “serious threat” and told American and South Korean troops here that they were on the “front line” of defense.” (New York Times)

The reason why Leon Panetta went to South Korea was to consult with South Korean leaders on “how to respond to North Korean provocations without escalating the long-running conflict.” (New York Times)

By his trip, Leon Panetta’s purpose was to warm North Korea and China that the United Stated won’t reduce its force in Front Line even with defense budget cut coming.

Panetta wrote “Working together, our militaries will continue to deter North Korean aggression and stand prepared to defeat the North should it ever force war upon us” in an opinion article published on Wednesday in Chosun Ilbo, South Korea’s largest newspaper. (New York Times)