The Kremlin, in its latest statement, has opposed the "language of sanctions" against North Korea over its nuclear tests.

NK is powerless. They cannot do a thing unless they want to die. And Kim Jong Il loves more power than dying. But of course there's the remote chance he would launch an attack because he's gonna die anyway, but hopefully some generals would do a coup if it were to happen.

"With respect to North Korea and their activities, this is something that the United States government is clearly monitoring."

For those who are keeping track, it appears there are 6 AEGIS vessels, 3 US and 3 Japanese, involved in the naval ballistic missile defense tracking and intercept capability deployed off North Korea. There are also an undetermined number of additional naval assets without BMD from Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Canada operating in the region.

What's it like in other countries, is mainland Europe discussing this at all?

Seoul moved a 3,500-ton destroyer into waters near the Koreas' disputed western maritime border while smaller, high-speed vessels were keeping guard at the front line, South Korean news reports said. The defense ministry said the U.S. and South Korean militaries would increase surveillance activities.

Pyongyang, meanwhile, positioned artillery guns along the west coast on its side of the border, the Yonhap news agency said. The Joint Chiefs of Staffs in Seoul refused to confirm the reports.

UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (Reuters) - A draft resolution being circulated among key U.N. Security Council members would strongly condemn North Korea's nuclear test and urge U.N. member states to immediately enforce previously approved sanctions against Pyongyang.

The council "condemns in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted by (North Korea) on 25 May 2009 in flagrant violation and disregard of its relevant resolutions" and "calls upon all member states immediately to enforce the measures that were put in place by resolution 1718," said the draft, which was obtained by Reuters on Thursday.

The preliminary draft was prepared by Japan and the United States. It will be discussed by the permanent council members, Japan and non-council member South Korea later on Thursday, a U.N. diplomat said.