The media in the Korean Peninsula and other major countries in the Far East reflect the anxiety over North Korea's decision to reactivate its nuclear reactors in Yongbyon.

The US is raking in huge profits through the massive export of missiles Rodong Sinmun - North Korea

While North Korea attacks the US, South Korean newspapers criticise their government's handling of the crisis. The press in Japan and China also reveal fears over the escalating tensions.

North Korea's main daily, the Communist Party's Rodong Sinmun, rails indignantly at what it sees as US hypocrisy.

"The US is the kingpin of arms export and proliferation. It is a universally recognized fact that the US is raking in huge profits through the massive export of missiles and their technology."

Resumption of nuclear activities is of a peaceful nature Radio Pyongyang

The daily accuses America's leaders of being "mean and brazen-faced" and seeking to isolate North Korea and "deprive it of its way of earning foreign currency in a bid to strangle it economically".

"This is nothing but a pipe dream. The DPRK will react to the US imperialists' hard-line with the toughest stand."

Radio Pyongyang says the decision to remove the surveillance equipment at Yongbyon is "a justified measure by North Korea to maintain its sovereignty and right to exist".

The radio accuses Washington of lying to the world in accusing the North of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. "Its resumption of nuclear activities is of a peaceful nature. Our nuclear facilities are aimed at resolving the electricity problem."

The South is bound to suffer the most if the worst happens Chungang Ilbo - South Korea

South Korea's Yonhap news agency expresses fears that "should the North turn its threat into action and reactivate the reactor, it would rapidly heighten tension on the Korean Peninsula".

One of the South's largest-circulation dailies, Chungang Ilbo, accuses the Seoul government of responding inadequately to the crisis, which it describes as "of the greatest significance, on which our existence and prosperity depends".

Seoul under fire

"The South is bound to suffer the most if the worst happens and there is a physical clash between North Korea and the United States."

Many in South Korea oppose aid to the North

It says the government has "misjudged" the crisis, with "a lame response".

"North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons will provide Japan with an excuse to speed up its rearmament and this in turn will goad China to touch off a fierce arms race in North-east Asia."

Chungang Ilbo calls on the government to leave "no stone unturned" and seek to mediate between North Korea and the United States and "avert another terrible nuclear crisis".

It calls for the Korean Peninsula to be turned into a nuclear-free zone.

Another top daily, Choson Ilbo, doubts that the incoming government of President-elect Roh Moo-hyun will do any better.

The United States bears an equal share of the blame and responsibility Hangyore - South Korea

It says he is "apparently looking to solve the North Korean nuclear crisis by acting as an intermediary between the Stalinist state and the United States".

"For successful mediating in this nuclear crisis, it is essential to have a detailed plan and the people to carry it through, however, it is debatable as to whether Roh has the human resources for this. There is substantial and real danger in his efforts to solve the crisis."

The centre-left Hangyore calls on both Washington and Pyongyang to think twice before escalating the situation.

"North Korea must stop its current brinkmanship to enable dialogue," it proclaims, adding that "the United States bears an equal share of the blame and responsibility".

Warning to Washington

However, Hangyore warns Washington that if it should take a hard line, and blockade North Korea's coastline "without thinking of the lives and safety of residents on the Korean Peninsula, it will face the condemnation of South Koreans and their fierce resistance for their survival".

If North Korea believes that it is engaged in a game which affords it the freedom to manipulate crises, it is making a terrible mistake Mainichi Daily News - Japan

In Japan, which is within striking distance of North Korean missiles, the Mainichi Daily News urges Pyongyang to "restore the nuclear status quo".

"The measures taken by Pyongyang can only be described as reckless... We strongly urge North Korea to immediately restore the status quo ante by reinstalling the seals and monitoring cameras."

"If North Korea believes that it is engaged in a game which affords it the freedom to manipulate crises, it is making a terrible mistake."

Hong Kong's Chinese-language Ta Kung Pao says that dialogue is the key to defusing the crisis.

"China, Russia and other neighbouring countries that have always advocated a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula will never approve of North Korea reviving its nuclear programme, in spite of Pyongyang's very real hardships."

After suddenly getting warmer, the weather has turned cold again Renmin Ribao - China

Nevertheless, it goes on, Washington misread the situation and it is up to it to maintain calm.

"Only after the United States has given up its hostility towards North Korea and is willing to talk sincerely will there be any chance of this crisis being defused peacefully and smoothly."

Stormy weather

Leading Beijing daily Renmin Ribao fears the crisis points to a reversal in North Korea's rapprochement with South Korea.

"The emergence of the nuclear programme storm has caused the peace and stability in the peninsula to face another grave challenge.

"After suddenly getting warmer, the weather has turned cold again."

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.