Eying North Korea

The Obama administration is expressing concern today following North Korea's new vow to conduct a nuclear test and to invest in capabilities to strike the United States. "North Korea's statement is needlessly provocative, and a test would be a significant violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Further provocations would only increase Pyongyang's isolation, and its continued focus on its nuclear and missile program is doing nothing to help the North Korean people," Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Monica Matoush told InsideDefense.com.

"We will maintain close consultation with our Republic of Korea and other allies and continue to monitor the threat of a nuclear test from North Korea and any possible threat to the U.S. or our allies," Matoush continued. "The U.S. closely monitors threats to international security and has the capability to respond if and when appropriate. We are not going to discuss military operations, plans or intelligence. However, we stand ready to defend U.S. territory, our allies and our national interests."