North Korea says truce is over

NorthernSanctuary · 05-28-2009, 11:44 AM

http://www.watoday.com.au/world/nort...0528-bo51.html

John Garnaut, Beijing
May 27, 2009
North Korea has promised "unimaginable, merciless punishment" against those who have provoked it, after the world condemned its testing of a nuclear bomb.

Analysts in Seoul say the dramatic escalation could lead to "skirmishes" along the 38th parallel in coming weeks.

The North is particularly upset that South Korea, under the conservative President Lee Myung-bak, responded to Monday's underground blast by joining a US-led nuclear non-proliferation security initiative to intercept vessels suspected of carrying banned materials.

Pyongyang said it would abandon the truce that ended the devastating Korean War in 1953. "Those who have provoked us will face unimaginable, merciless punishment," the official Korean Central News Agency said.

"Any tiny hostile acts against our republic, including the stopping and searching of our peaceful vessels … will face an immediate and strong military strike in response."

Most North Korea-watchers say the recent belligerency reflects a domestic political transition, with the military in the ascendancy and ailing dictator Kim Jong-il positioning to ensure one of his sons succeeds him.

Analysts in Seoul, who are well within range of the short-range missiles tested by the North each day this week, said the rhetoric should not be dismissed.

"They're damn serious," Choi Jong Kun, professor of political science at Yonsei University in Seoul, said. He said the North had long warned that if South Korea joined the non-proliferation initiative, they would take it as a declaration of war.

But Professor Choi said an exchange of fire across the border would not lead to war.

"War is inconceivable because we know and they know that we will win, albeit with a lot of damage," he said.

The world is at a loss with how to respond to North Korea. Even its traditional ally China is divided, with some analysts venting frustration at years of moderate diplomacy.

Sun Zhe, the director of the Sino-US Relations Institute of Tsinghua University, told the Global Times newspaper that the Chinese Government should teach the North Korea a lesson.

"There is no need for China to maintain its past policy toward its trouble-making neighbour any longer," he said.

So far, Chinese officials have appeared to favour coaxing North Korea back to the six-party talks rather than supporting strong actions that might push its renegade ally to the brink of collapse.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Seashore · 05-28-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernSantuary

...Most North Korea-watchers say the recent belligerency reflects a domestic political transition, with the military in the ascendancy and ailing dictator Kim Jong-il positioning to ensure one of his sons succeeds him....

This is interesting...

NorthernSanctuary · 05-28-2009, 12:38 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090528/...eas_nuclear_92

SKorea, US troops on alert after North's threats
By ERIC TALMADGE, Associated Press Writer Eric Talmadge, Associated Press Writer
30 mins ago

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean and U.S. troops raised their alert Thursday to the highest level since 2006 after North Korea renounced its truce with the allied forces and threatened to strike any ships trying to intercept its vessels.

The move was a sign of heightened tensions on the peninsula following the North's underground nuclear test and its firing of a series of short-range missiles earlier this week.

In response, Seoul decided to join more than 90 nations that have agreed to stop and inspect vessels suspected of transporting banned weapons.

North Korea says South Korea's participation in the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative is a prelude to a naval blockade and raises the prospect of a naval skirmish in its western waters.

On Wednesday, it renounced the 1953 truce that halted fighting in the Korean War. It said Thursday through its official media that it was preparing for an American-led attack. The U.S. has repeatedly denied it is planning military action.

micjer · 05-28-2009, 01:24 PM

Mad men ... the world is full of mad men. Why on earth would North Korea want to commit suicide. Because that is what will happen to them if they provoke their enemies. They seem to have no support from any other nation.

There is no way that Japan , China, US , South Korea would not retaliate if they were hit with a missile.

My only question is..are we being told the whole truth? Do we believe what the MSM tells us?

05-28-2009, 11:44 AM	#1
NorthernSanctuary Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 698	North Korea says truce is over http://www.watoday.com.au/world/nort...0528-bo51.html John Garnaut, Beijing May 27, 2009 North Korea has promised "unimaginable, merciless punishment" against those who have provoked it, after the world condemned its testing of a nuclear bomb. Analysts in Seoul say the dramatic escalation could lead to "skirmishes" along the 38th parallel in coming weeks. The North is particularly upset that South Korea, under the conservative President Lee Myung-bak, responded to Monday's underground blast by joining a US-led nuclear non-proliferation security initiative to intercept vessels suspected of carrying banned materials. Pyongyang said it would abandon the truce that ended the devastating Korean War in 1953. "Those who have provoked us will face unimaginable, merciless punishment," the official Korean Central News Agency said. "Any tiny hostile acts against our republic, including the stopping and searching of our peaceful vessels … will face an immediate and strong military strike in response." Most North Korea-watchers say the recent belligerency reflects a domestic political transition, with the military in the ascendancy and ailing dictator Kim Jong-il positioning to ensure one of his sons succeeds him. Analysts in Seoul, who are well within range of the short-range missiles tested by the North each day this week, said the rhetoric should not be dismissed. "They're damn serious," Choi Jong Kun, professor of political science at Yonsei University in Seoul, said. He said the North had long warned that if South Korea joined the non-proliferation initiative, they would take it as a declaration of war. But Professor Choi said an exchange of fire across the border would not lead to war. "War is inconceivable because we know and they know that we will win, albeit with a lot of damage," he said. The world is at a loss with how to respond to North Korea. Even its traditional ally China is divided, with some analysts venting frustration at years of moderate diplomacy. Sun Zhe, the director of the Sino-US Relations Institute of Tsinghua University, told the Global Times newspaper that the Chinese Government should teach the North Korea a lesson. "There is no need for China to maintain its past policy toward its trouble-making neighbour any longer," he said. So far, Chinese officials have appeared to favour coaxing North Korea back to the six-party talks rather than supporting strong actions that might push its renegade ally to the brink of collapse. The Sydney Morning Herald

05-28-2009, 12:38 PM	#3
NorthernSanctuary Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 698	Re: North Korea says truce is over http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090528/...eas_nuclear_92 SKorea, US troops on alert after North's threats By ERIC TALMADGE, Associated Press Writer Eric Talmadge, Associated Press Writer 30 mins ago SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean and U.S. troops raised their alert Thursday to the highest level since 2006 after North Korea renounced its truce with the allied forces and threatened to strike any ships trying to intercept its vessels. The move was a sign of heightened tensions on the peninsula following the North's underground nuclear test and its firing of a series of short-range missiles earlier this week. In response, Seoul decided to join more than 90 nations that have agreed to stop and inspect vessels suspected of transporting banned weapons. North Korea says South Korea's participation in the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative is a prelude to a naval blockade and raises the prospect of a naval skirmish in its western waters. On Wednesday, it renounced the 1953 truce that halted fighting in the Korean War. It said Thursday through its official media that it was preparing for an American-led attack. The U.S. has repeatedly denied it is planning military action.

05-28-2009, 01:24 PM	#4
micjer Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ont. CANADA Posts: 1,043	Re: North Korea says truce is over Mad men ... the world is full of mad men. Why on earth would North Korea want to commit suicide. Because that is what will happen to them if they provoke their enemies. They seem to have no support from any other nation. There is no way that Japan , China, US , South Korea would not retaliate if they were hit with a missile. My only question is..are we being told the whole truth? Do we believe what the MSM tells us?