2:03pm UK, Friday May 29, 2009

North Korea will take “self-defence measures” if the UN Security Council punishes it for a nuclear test – as Pyongyang fires another short-range missile.

North Korean soldiers on guard at one of its borders

The rogue state conducted its second atomic experiment on Monday before a series of missile tests.

Reports said another missile has just been fired off its east coast.

The nuclear test sparked international condemnation and a swift move by the Security Council for a new resolution against Pyongyang.

“If the UN Security Council makes further provocations, we will have no choice but to take additional self-defence measures,” a North spokesman said.

“Any hostile action by the UN Security Council will mean the nullifying of the Armistice Agreement.”

He was referring to the truce which ended the 1950-53 Korean War – a covenant Pyongyang has already said was dead.

North Korea‘s spokesman said the country had the right as a sovereign state to conduct missile and nuclear tests without violating international protocols.

North Korea Interactive

See who could be affected by a North Korean missile attack – and how they’ve reacted to the threat.

Meanwhile, the head of the US army has insisted America could wage a conventional war against the North if necessary.

This was despite different types of conflict continuing in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When asked whether the US would be prepared to fight, if war broke out between South and North Korea, General George Casey said: “The short answer is yes.”

US-S Korean drill in March 2009

He added: “We’d move forces as rapidly as we could get them prepared.”

The US has around 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and has a long-term commitment to help defend the country.

But there are no plans to send more forces there, even after North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile tests.

Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the situation has not reached a crisis level and does not warrant a build-up of US troops.

North Korea warned it might attack its neighbour after South Korea announced it was joining a US-led campaign to stop the trade in weapons of mass destruction.