South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak has made his first address on the Yeonpyeong Island crisis, six days after the exchange of fire with the DPRK. China has proposed emergency consultations among the chief negotiators in the Six-Party talks in early December. Our correspondent U-Jean Jung reports from Seoul.

On Monday morning, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak made his first address since last Tuesday's crisis on Yeonpyeong Island. President Lee labeled the DPRK's artillery attacks on civilians a crime against humanity, and said Pyongyang will pay the price.

He said, "Attacking civilians is an inhumane crime that is strictly forbidden in a time of war I'll make sure the North will pay the price in the event of future provocations."

In the afternoon of the same day, the South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed Seoul's reply to Beijing's proposal of holding an emergency meeting of Six-Party Talks in the early days of December.

Kim Young-Sun, Spokesman of South Korean Foreign Ministry, said, "Our basic position is that, before resuming the Six-Party Talks, we need guaranteed circumstances and atmosphere, to confirm practical improvement."

Life in Seoul went on as usual, but the South Korean public also echoed their government's voice that more work would have to be done before holding the Six-Party Talks.

Seoul resident Yoon Hui-Wook said, "I believe Six-Party Talks are necessary to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula, but before carrying out the talks, China should have agreement from all the countries involved, not only the North."

On Sunday, and announcement on the DPRK's KRT Television read that they were ready to cope with any form of attack, "We are ready to cope with an attack from a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and any other weapons stronger than the carrier. We've never felt more desperate than ever in justifying building a more powerful military power."

Despite the verbal discomforts of the DPRK, US and South Korean military conducted a second day of joint military drills in the waters of Taean Province, about 100 south of Yeonpyeong Island.

Security has been heightened on Yeonpyeong Island as it was designated as a control zone for the military. South Korean military has doubled on K-9 howitzers on the island.

What started as a military conflict between South Korea and the DPRK is gradually shifting towards a diplomatic affair involving more countries. Whether the military tension could be resolved with talks, is a question waiting to be answered.