Posted on 11/13/2009 2:57:45 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
(3rd LD) N. Korea threatens 'merciless' action to defend sea border with S. Korea
By Sam Kim and Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korea threatened "merciless" military action Friday to defend its maritime border with South Korea, demanding an apology for a naval skirmish earlier this week off their west coast.
The statement by the chief of North Korea's military delegation is a response to the protest his South Korean counterpart lodged hours after the navies of the two countries engaged briefly near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) on Tuesday, officials here said.
South Korea suffered no casualties in the two-minute battle, while the North Korean patrol boat that had crossed the NLL fled in flames after coming under nearly 5,000 rounds of fire.
North Korea does not recognize the NLL because it was drawn unilaterally at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War by the U.S. commander of U.N. forces that fought on the South Korean side.
"There exists in the West Sea of Korea only the extension of the Military Demarcation Line" drawn by the North's military, it said in the statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.
North Korea "will take merciless military measures to defend the extension from this moment," it said.
South Korea says the skirmish erupted after a North Korean patrol boat crossed the NLL despite warning shots and opened fire on a South Korean speedboat.
North Korea says that a group of South Korean warships intruded into its waters and provoked its naval vessel that was returning to port after a routine patrol.
Skirmishes turned bloody near the NLL when the navies of the divided states exchanged gunfire in 1999 and 2002. On Tuesday, one North Korea sailor was reportedly killed, with three others wounded.
A senior South Korean defense official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, dismissed the latest North Korean threat as "rhetoric."
"This seems to be aimed at throwing the blame on the South for the incident," he said, adding the North probably released the statement to the public in a move to unite its regime.
He noted North Korea has yet to show any sign of aggression on its border with South Korea, saying, "We're seeing no particular movement with the North Korean military."
Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo also dismissed the threat as "a rhetoric North Korea customarily uses" but has not put into action.
The threat came as U.S. President Barack Obama began his first Asia trip that will end in South Korea next week, with North Korea's nuclear program high on the agenda.
"North Korea has the opportunity to move towards acceptance by the international community if it will comply with its international obligations," he said in a written interview with Yonhap News Agency.
Stephen Bosworth, the U.S. special envoy for North Korea policy, is also expected to travel to North Korea for bilateral negotiations on the nuclear dispute.
South and North Korea remain technically at war after the Korean War ended in a truce. Relations between them deteriorated after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office early last year with a pledge to get tougher on the North's nuclear program.
North Korea repeatedly warned of an armed provocation near the NLL early this year. But the communist country, slapped with U.N. sanctions imposed after its May nuclear test, has in recent months extended peace overtures to the South and the U.S.
Keep the talk going with U.S. and put pressure on S. Korea, trying to make S. Koreans concerned that N. Koreans and U.S. gov could merrily go along together and eventually strike deal on their own.
If their ploy is successful, they figure that concerned S. Korea would drop tough stance and go back to appeasement, especially sending economic aids. Basically, reopening a pipe-line for cash and food.
Under this situation, Obama's loose lip now could easily complicate the matter.
This is the second announcement by NK on the naval clash. They want to keep pushing this issue. What they want is not just the resumption of aids. As a long-term stragetic goal, they also want the NLL and the maritime demarcation line to become the official agenda for negotiation, in addition to other outstanding issue such as nukes.
Military experts say that, if S. Korea gives up the current NLL, and accommodate N. Korean proposal, the whole area west of Seoul is under threat. It would be much easier for N. Korean military to hit Inchon airport, Inchon and all industrial areas nearby, from the sea. The island military outposts S. Korea currently maintains just below of the line are boxing N. Korean navy close to their shore, keeping them away from roaming pretty close to the Inchon area.
Ping!
? Perhaps they'll use axes.(again)
Merciless is the right word for a government that leaves its people eating grass while the Communists dine sumptuously. Guess who is noticing?
Luke, Chapter16, verse 19: There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21: And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22: And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23: And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24: And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25: But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Assuming that there will be a separate agreement between U.S. and NK, what would it contain?
NK stop spreading weapons, both for sale and for own use.
NK opening up their economy (or whatever it is they have)
What they get:
Food, diesel, electricity etc
Why they should do it:
Yes, that is the question, can anyone promise that they will not be prosecuted for crimes against humanity?
Do they need protection from their own population?
It is not easy to see a way out.
1) NK keeps nuke but no proliferation
2) peace treaty replacing armistice
3) normalizing diplomatic relations
4) withdrawal of U.S. troops (most of it anyway)
5) equal treatment for both SK and NK
6) economic opening
7) regime guarantee (includes immunity from prosecution for atrocities against its people)
8) hands off from ‘internal Korean problem’ (any conflict between two Koreas should be none of U.S. concern)
In essence, Chia Head wants NK to be another Saudi Arabia. Rationale: they have nukes and strategic location, even though they have no single drop of oil.
Just as Saudi can maintain its Wahabi regime with blessing of U.S., Chia Head will ‘insist’ that U.S. should support that NK maintains hereditary personality cult dictatorship.
1) not likely - NK has to do a South Africa
2) OK
3) OK
4) Not likely, actually NK needs US protection
5) OK, but NK has to become member of WTO etc, i.e. it will take time
6) OK
7) unlikely, the Senate has to ratify treaties.
8) No
In summary no solution is possible. NK will “collapse” and/or the regime has to obtain asylum in ...(Russia?)
the illegal aliens' sanctuary in San Francisco, set up by Feinstein back in 80's.:-)
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