S. Korea on high alert

South Korea has issued a civil defense "red alert" for Yeonpyeong Island residents. Air raid sirens have sounded and civilians are being ordered to shelters amid concern of a possible N. Korean artillery attack. Meanwhile reports are making the rounds that N. Korea has mobilized large numbers of anti-aircraft missile batteries along its coasts and borders. And the Independent is reporting that upwards of 20,000 N. Korean slave laborers working in Russia's far east (under close supervision of the N. Korean secret police) have suddenly and without notice returned to North Korea.