(LEAD) S. Korea's top military officer orders stern responses after N.K. threatens to deploy more weapons along border

On October 20, South Korea's top military officer ordered troops to maintain a stern readiness posture in response to threats from North Korea. The directive follows Pyongyang's announcement that it intends to deploy additional military weapons along the inter-Korean border.

The escalating tensions highlight the fragile security situation on the Korean Peninsula, as both nations maneuver military assets and posture defensively and offensively near the heavily fortified demarcation line.