South Korea Slams North's 'Inhumane' Flight Threat

South Korea has called on North Korea to withdraw an apparent threat to passenger jets, the Times of London reports. Flights have had to be diverted since North Korea, enraged by upcoming US-South Korea military exercises, warned yesterday that it could no longer guarantee the safety of civilian aircraft—a statement the US labeled "distinctly unhelpful."

"To threaten military action against a civilian aircraft that is flying under international air regulations is not only against international laws but is an inhumane action," an official from South Korea's Ministry of Reunification said. "This cannot be justified for whatever reason." The diversions have added up to an hour to flight times in the region.
(More Korean Air stories.)