Seoul Strengthens Military Readiness after NK Nuke Test

, South Korea has strengthened its military readiness in response to North Korea's unprecedented nuclear test, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced Monday (Oct. 9). 
 
The Defense Ministry and the JCS launched special task forces to monitor the North's move following the nuclear test, while the number of troops guarding borders with the North increased, JCS officials said. 
 
Military units near the inter-Korean border restricted soldiers from leaving their units, they said. 
 
The military, however, were maintaining the normal WATCHCON 3 surveillance status and DEFCON 4 defense readiness status as of 3 p.m. The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) also maintained a normal force-protection level of Bravo.