Kim Jong-il threatens South Korea

Why would Kim Jong-il run the risk of more interntational retaliation by threatening his free southern neighbor? Because he knows they'll submit..

From the AP:

North Korea warned South Korea against joining international sanctions, saying Wednesday that its neighbour would "pay a high price" if it joins the U.S.-led drive to punish the reclusive country for its nuclear test.

The statement from the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland came as South Korea struggles to determine how it should enforce the United Nations sanctions, including whether to help inspect all North Korean cargo ships suspected of transporting materials for unconventional weapons.

"If the South Korean authorities end up joining U.S.-led moves to sanction and stifle [the North], we will regard it as a declaration of confrontation against its own people … and take corresponding measures," the statement said.

U.S. President George W. Bush dismissed North Korea's threats, saying leader Kim Jong-il was probing for weaknesses in the international community.

With the heat on from China, though I doubt it's as hot as reported, South Korea remains as a major lifeline into the Communist country, and given SoKo's record, they will continue to be.

They said they would support sanctions, but do they really:

South Korea so far has balked at taking strong measures to support the sanctions, mindful of Pyongyang's massive armed forces poised at the border, its family and cultural ties with the North and its wish to expand economic relations with its neighbor.

How do you respond to bullies? Oh yeah, do what they say.