North Korea fired five short-range missiles into the East Sea on Monday night and declared a no-sail zone in the same area. Maritime vessels are being warned to avoid these waters until October 20th, which could indicate further tests. Given the goodwill gestures by the North, such as last month’s renewal of cross-border family reunions, and signs that it was willing to return to international talks regarding its nuclear program, the missile tests come as a surprise to the international community and South Korea, who just hours before the tests had proposed working-level talks with the North through Panmunjeom to discuss ways to prevent flooding across the border and future family reunions. Pyongyang has insisted that direct talks with the U.S. must take place before it considers returning to the six party talks. The U.S. has since agreed, but only if direct talks ensure that they will return to the six-party table.  Coincidentally or not, the tests come amid reports that a U.S. aircraft carrier is set to dock in Busan today. However, South Korean analysts say that the tests show the North is still willing to talk.

In other power politics: native English teachers looking for a job may be on a recruiter’s blacklist; SNU foreign professors continue to speak out against the lack of support from the university.

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