The Lee group declared that it would not remove photos with defamatory words, displayed in barracks, and Defence Minister Kim Kwan Jin showed himself up in Yonphyong Island, where he called for "dealing a resolute and powerful punishment in retaliation for 'Cheonan' warship sinking and Yonphyong Island shelling."

The outbursts fuelled the tense situation of the Korean Peninsula, which was already strained by their insult.

An officer of the Korean People's Army, Ri Chang Su, told KCNA:

"The Lee Myung Bak group of traitors has opted for challenging the DPRK, rather than making an apology for their high treason.

If they persist in confrontation with the DPRK, we will not remain an onlooker to their moves.

Their thrice-cursed crime will never be tolerated.

They are greatly mistaken if they think they can survive our retaliatory sacred war."

Han Jong Nam, an officer of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards, said:

"I warn the United States against protecting the Lee Myung Bak group of traitors keen in confrontation with the DPRK.

This group of rabid dogs is ignorant of the trend of times and bereft of ethics, as well.

Once an order is given, we will unhesitatingly turn out in the sacred war to annihilate the group of traitors and achieve national reunification."