but for how long? >> reporter: that is the case, alison. it was a situation that the united states and the south korea were taking seriously. we saw north korea doubling frontline artillery. we saw 70% of the submarines away from the bases. we are hearing from the u.s. intelligence there was a possibility that north korea was planning a scud missile launch. these threats were taken seriously and tensions needed to be eased. everyone needed to step back. both sides are able to say that they got what they wanted. crucially, the propaganda broadcasts are off. they are not being broadcast across the border any more. in change, what south korea gets is express of regret over land mine explosions that badly injured two of its soldiers. north korea was able to frame this in a way that it did not necessarily have to take responsibility for planting the land mines.