"South Korea's military is on high alert to prepare for any hostile acts, " ministry spokesman Mr. Kim said.

WSJ: North Korea Fires Missiles Into Sea

An air marshal is an undercover armed guard on board a commercial aircraft to counter hijackings and other hostile acts.

BBC: NEWS | Americas | Bush says plot a 'stark reminder'

Yet a new UN resolution, which was passed unanimously by the 15 members of the Security Council ordering Iraq to accept the return of weapons inspectors, does state that no hostile acts should be carried out while they are in the country.

ECONOMIST: The war of words begins | The