N. Korea only allowing S. Korean workers to leave Kaesong, banning entry

Yonhap News ^ | 2013/04/03

[TigerLikesRooster]

2013/04/03 11:25 KST

N. Korea only allowing S. Korean workers to leave Kaesong, banning entry

SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Wednesday it will ban South Korean workers from entering the inter-Korean industrial park in Kaesong, only allowing South Koreans now staying at the North Korean border town to return home.

Seoul's Ministry of Unification said that it received an official notification to the effect from the North earlier in the day.

"South Korea's government deeply regrets the entry ban and urges it be lifted immediately," ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-seok said in a press conference. He said every effort is being made to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals at the industrial site.

[TigerLikesRooster]

OK. They are doing everything to show that they are serious/mad/belligerent. Expecting us to cower and appease them with big package of goods. Still, they stop short of actually firing a shot at us. They know we are loaded to the bear as long as they act suspicious. They can't see any opening they can exploit(psychologically, politically, and militarily.) NK's MO has been a well-timed hit-and-run.

So they resort to other means. There were some major cyberattacks on SK media institutions which most believe are the work of NK. Yesterday, they announced that they are restarting a graphite nuclear reactor. Today, they are shutting down Kaesung Industrial Park. The next in line could be another ICBM test launch. Of course, they take a more extreme measure and resort to subway terrorism in Seoul. A few canisters of sarin would create catastrophic situation in Seoul, regardless of the actual number of casualty.

I suspect the Fat Boy in Pyongyang passed the point of no return politically. Backing down without winning concessions now would have some consequences. Either he is turning into a mere figurehead with little power or overthrown outright. So he keeps on moving forward. He appears to be in real trouble now.

[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[no-to-illegals]

major cyberattacks on SK media institutions which most believe are the work of NK

Tiger ... any mention of the number of cyberattacks today? Could the number be two?

[Jet Jaguar]

Bump

[Sawdring]

Good top see you back again.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Two waves. The second one was smaller than the first one. The first one targeted some media institutions and banks. The irony is that the media institutions attacked have been sympathetic to NK regime, always pushing appeasement lines. NK regards their political assets as just expendables. Nice to have them, but they have higher priorities. They are happy to sacrifice these sympathizers without a second thought if it suits them.

[BenLurkin]

At least they’re letting them out.

[no-to-illegals]

Thanks. Have seen a trend today. Number two in numerous articles. Not certain of connection but the number two is being stated. Also remember yesterday's articles, two also prominent. Unknown what it means if anything. Simply strange number two is being placed to forefront. Thanks again. I'll do some backtracking. Has hallmark of signal being sent.

[GeronL]

BTW, That zone in NK basically has free trade status with the US.

[GeronL]

I am still not sure if Kim3 is really the guy running the show.

[caww]

I think you are exactly right....good post.

[Husker24]

Yes, there is no way in hell that I would work up there if I was South Korean. Your just waiting to be a human shield or hostage.

[oceanagirl]

So far, only 3 people or 3 cars have come out. See the CNN twitter feed. They have someone up there. SK doesn’t know why more S Koreans have not come out.

[little jeremiah]

Various tweets which I am reading elsewhere state that only a few S Koreans have been allowed to leave Kaesong to return home.

[little jeremiah]

NeighborhoodFP: RT @stella2songhee: After 3 #ROK workers back in Seoul, 858 SK workers still remain in #DPRK’s #GIC, without known plan for return, Seoul govt says

[dsrtsage]

Quick! Borrow some money from China so we can give it to North Korea.

[FredZarguna]

Do you believe Kim has been forced into this position by effect of sanctions, internal pressures or just his own psychological/personal insecurity? Does China’s position play into this posturing? If you were Kim do you read China’s border forces as a message of support, or as prophylaxis, or a warning?

[no-to-illegals]

Another question Tiger ... Have you read anything that would make you think there maybe is more than one NK satellite in polar orbit?

[gleeaikin]

What? No hostages? How civilized!!

[no-to-illegals]

Seen anything ?!?