As a commander and politician, he made sure that Israel responded to armed provocation with ferocity, helping create Israel's doctrine of asymmetrical deterrence.

The South Korean government called the attack a "clear armed provocation."

In an interview with AFP Saturday, Zlenko ruled out the use of force against Crimea unless separatists there resort to armed provocation.

The United States has blamed North Korea for the gunfight, calling it an "armed provocation."

But he added that young Tibetans, who he said "have completely lost their hope and trust toward the Chinese," must understand where armed provocation on their part could lead.

"I do not doubt that we will continue to face armed provocations by those who oppose peace," the president said in a public address.

"We interpret North Korea's armed provocation as a very significant act," said a top security adviser for Mr. Kim Hwang Won Tak.

"The South Koreans must immediately apologize for the serious consequences of their armed provocations," the official North Korea agency said.

First, he said, in a clear warning not to mistake courtesy for weakness, "we will never tolerate armed provocation of any kind."

Several months after the end of the conflict, some armed provocations persisted.