Watchcon 4 is in effect during normal peacetime, while
Watchcon 3 reflects indications of an important threat.
The South last raised
Watchcon to level two after the North shelled Yeonpyeong Island, just south of the Yellow Sea border on Nov.
There are five levels of
Watchcon, intensifying the degree and frequency of intelligence gathering and analysis each time it is raised.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe separately said: "We are making utmost efforts to protect our people's lives and ensure their safety." The South Korea-US Combined Forces Command raised its "
Watchcon" status from 3 to 2 reflecting indications of a "vital threat", Yonhap news agency said, citing a senior military official.
military stationed here also lowered their surveillance alert against North Korea to their third-highest level,
Watchcon 3, as of Tuesday, the source added.
The South Korea-US Combined Forces Command raised its "
Watchcon" status from 3 to 2 to reflect indications of a "vital threat", Yonhap news agency said, citing a senior military official.
''I am aware (South Korea's) Joint Chiefs of Staff and the U.S.-South Korea combined forces command held consultations and raised
Watchcon 3 to
Watchcon 2,'' a South Korean government source was quoted as saying.