Meanwhile, South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reports the Unification Ministry will submit its 2011 work plan to President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday. The plan names the next year as the "Year of Preparation for Unification". The newspaper notes a huge change in policy towards Pyongyang, signaling a shift from the traditional emphasis on stability and cross-border exchanges, to a more assertive policy towards inter-Korean relations.

Meanwhile, a third US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Ronald Reagan, is on its way to the western Pacific. Two US carriers are already in the region, the George Washington in Japan and the Carl Vinson in Guam. US media reports that the deployments give the Obama administration the means to prepare for any possible contingent on the Korean Peninsula.

In response, the DPRK's official daily, Rodong Sinmun, said on Monday that peace on the Korean Peninsula is under serious threat as the US and South Korea have been staging repeated anti-DPRK provocations. The newspaper says the DPRK has "limited" restraint over South Korea's actions, warning it will harshly punish Seoul for any further aggressive moves.

Tensions have been running high on the Peninsula since the exchange of artillery fire on Yeonpyeong island on November 23rd, which killed 4 South Koreans.

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