S. Korea beefs up security as North warns of more attacks

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, centre, speaks in Seoul on Thursday during an emergency meeting of top officials and Ministers to discuss security measures after North Korea's artillery attack on the South's Yeonpyeong Island.

South Korea’s President is vowing to boost security around islands near the site of this week’s artillery attack by North Korea.

The comments on Thursday came during a meeting of top government officials aimed at reviewing security and economic impacts of the exchange of fire on Tuesday that left four South Koreans dead and the region on edge.

Yonhap news agency says South Korean President Lee Myung-bak ordered his officials to beef up security around islands off South Korea’s western coast.

Pyongyang, meanwhile, is lashing out against the United States and South Korea, warning of more retaliation if Seoul carries out “reckless military provocations.”