N Korea backs away from threat of attack

NORTH KOREA backed away from threats to retaliate against South Korea for military exercises yesterday and offered concessions on its nuclear programme.

The North’s gestures came after South Korea launched fighter jets, evacuated hundreds of residents near its land border with the North and sent residents of islands near disputed waters into underground bunkers in case Pyongyang followed through on its vow to attack over the drills.

“It appears that deterrence has been restored,” said Daniel Pinkston, Seoul- based analyst with the International Crisis Group think tank. “The North Koreans only understand force or show of force.”