North Korea Warns Foreigners to Get Out

South Koreans and others living there played down North Korea's warning today that foreigners protect themselves or even think about evacuating because nuclear war is imminent.

"Business continues as usual for AMCHAM and its member companies," said Amy Jackson, president of the American Chamber of Commerce, an association of U.S. companies doing business in South Korea. "We are confident that the U.S. and Korean governments, in close cooperation with other allies, are fully prepared to deal with any situation."

The British Embassy in Seoul offered a similar appraisal. "We assess that there is currently no immediate risk," spokesman Colin Gray said.

But officials in Seoul still believe Pyongyang could test a mid-range missile on the east coast as early as Wednesday, so "preparations are complete," according to Kim Min-Seok, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.

South Korean officials also pointed out that the North has simultaneously test-launched a long-range missile and several short-range scuds in the past.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry deployed Patriot antimissile batteries, or PAC-3s, to its headquarters in central Tokyo overnight.South Koreans and others living there played down North Korea's warning today that foreigners protect themselves or even think about evacuating because nuclear war is imminent.

"Business continues as usual for AMCHAM and its member companies," said Amy Jackson, president of the American Chamber of Commerce, an association of U.S. companies doing business in South Korea. "We are confident that the U.S. and Korean governments, in close cooperation with other allies, are fully prepared to deal with any situation."

The British Embassy in Seoul offered a similar appraisal. "We assess that there is currently no immediate risk," spokesman Colin Gray said.

But officials in Seoul still believe Pyongyang could test a mid-range missile on the east coast as early as Wednesday, so "preparations are complete," according to Kim Min-Seok, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.

South Korean officials also pointed out that the North has simultaneously test-launched a long-range missile and several short-range scuds in the past.Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry deployed Patriot antimissile batteries, or PAC-3s, to its headquarters in central Tokyo overnight.