S. Korea's Defense Minister Resigns

Determined to show its strength in the aftermath of Tuesday’s attack by North Korea, South Korea has vowed to send more troops to the small island near their disputed shared border. But perhaps undercutting the nation’s efforts, South Korean defense minister Kim Tae-young hinted at internal disarray by announcing his resignation on Thursday. Kim had offered to resign in May after the sinking of the Cheonan, a warship that was allegedly attacked by North Korea, but the president chose to keep him in his post. Now the South Korean leadership, backed by the United States, has shifted its focus to ramping up pressure on China to act against its ally. South Korea's president warned his cabinet that the country "should not let our guard down." He added, through a spokesman: "I think a similar North Korean provocation could come at any time.”