Just as Pyongyang may have anticipated, the responses of the international players to its bombardment of Yeonpyeong island have differed significantly in tone and substance – a contrast North Korea will seek to exploit.

Barack Obama’s White House reacted early and angrily, calling on Pyongyang to “halt its belligerent action” and underlining that it was “firmly committed to the defence of its South Korean ally” and “the maintenance of regional peace and stability”.

Robert Gates, US defence secretary, spoke to his South Korean counterpart, while military officials said the 28,000 US troops in the country were “closely monitoring the situation”. The US also insisted t would not waver in its demand that Pyongyang offer “credible, verifiable steps” towards shutting down its nuclear programme before any negotiations with the Stalinist state could begin.