Small signs of progress

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea seized the world's attention again when the DPRK's military said on Monday it would launch "special actions" against the Lee Myung-bak government and conservative media in the Republic of Korea.

Western media have been quick to suggest that the DPRK is plotting another military provocation in the wake of its unsuccessful satellite launch on April 13.

However, the military notice released by the Korean Central News Agency in Pyongyang showed the DPRK was irritated by the ROK's remark that it had "precision and power enough to immediately strike any part of the DPRK"; a provocative comment that was conveniently left out of Western media reports.