These little side stories make one wonder about how seriously to take these threats:
PYONGYANG MARATHON WILL GO AHEAD DESPITE WAR ON HORIZON
Having threatened to bomb the United States and warned foreigners to leave South Korea due to an impending thermonuclear war, North Korea said today it was readying for a marathon to celebrate its founder's birthday.
The North's state news agency said a big contingent of foreign runners was expected from countries including Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ethiopia as well as 600 North Koreans at the April 14 race.
'I think enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament is running high among local marathoners and their coaches as never before,' the KCNA news agency cited Ham Chang-hyok of the Sports Ministry as saying.
This is the 26th time the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon has been held.
Watchcon 4 is in effect during normal peacetime,
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306714/North-Korea-missile-fuelled-ready-launch-South-warns-nukes-fired-TODAY-madman-dictator-shuts-tourist-border-China.html#ixzz2Q5ApnEeA
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WE'RE STILL GOING': TOUR OPERATORS SAY TRIPS TO PARIAH STATE WILL GO AHEAD
Western tour operators 'Koryo Tours' and 'Young Pioneer Tours' both said today that there were no plans to cancel any of their forthcoming tours, making it unclear if the suspension applied to everyone.
'We have a group in the county at the moment led by Dan, one of our guides, and he phoned in today on his mobile saying everything is as normal as it ever is,' Nick Bonner of Koryo Tours wrote on the tour group’s Facebook page.
Meanwhile the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to say that travel to North Korea remains unaffected by the latest tensions.
It said: 'Our overall assessment is that there is currently no immediate increased risk or danger to those living in or travelling to the DPRK as a result of these statements.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306714/North-Korea-missile-fuelled-ready-launch-South-warns-nukes-fired-TODAY-madman-dictator-shuts-tourist-border-China.html#ixzz2Q5BBHGYu
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'FUN SIGHTSEEING AND GOOD FOOD: U.S. AMBASSADOR BLOGS ON PLEASURE SPOTS IN SOUTH KOREA AS THREAT OF NUCLEAR WAR LOOMS
The U.S. ambassador to South Korea yesterday blogged about his family vacation, seemingly unconcerned by the ratcheting tension on the peninsula.
He wrote on Cafe USA, a website for the embassy in Seoul, that he spent time with his two daughters in Jinhae, famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms. He said: 'The blossoms were stunning. If you have never been down, I suggest you go. It is like driving through a tunnel completely made of cherry blossoms.'
He also had glowing praise for the food in Busan. 'The first night in Busan, we ate very fresh hwe, or raw fish, at a famous local restaurant,' he said.
'My daughters would not let me eat anything that was still moving, but everything we did have was delicious.'
Unfortunately, the threat of impending war forced him to abandon his trip. He said: 'As new threats started coming from North Korea, I got busy with work.
'I had many calls and emails with Washington policymakers, senior South Korean officials, and U.S. Forces Korea. My BlackBerry was very busy.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306714/North-Korea-missile-fuelled-ready-launch-South-warns-nukes-fired-TODAY-madman-dictator-shuts-tourist-border-China.html#ixzz2Q5BQdAqU
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Subject: The Craziness of N. Korea / S. Korea Tensions, look at pics of evac and readiness 
Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:09 pm
