Seoul warns of North's serious threat

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/157827.html


Seoul's Defense Ministry says North Korea has boosted its special forces and deployed huge artillery guns and a new kind of tank close to the heavily fortified border.

“Threats from North Korea's asymmetric warfare capabilities - such as special forces, artillery pieces and weapons of mass destruction - have been on a steady rise since 2008,” South Korea's Deputy Defense Minister Chang Kwang Il was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency.

The biennial report by the ministry signals that the North's military threat has expanded as it has an unspecified number of new powerful tanks prowling the border with the South.

Nearly 13,600 long-range artillery guns have been deployed along the Demilitarized Zone and are reportedly ready to launch attacks on Seoul, the report noted.

With a population of more than 10 million, Seoul is 30 kilometers away from the border.

According to the report, the North has also added 20,000 soldiers to its 18,000 special forces over the past two years.

Seoul claims the contingent of 200,000 special forces are trained to infiltrate into the South to carry out assassinations and disrupt sensitive facilities.

The report further added that the North intends to rely on its nuclear program as a counterweight to South Korea's high-tech military.

The news comes at a time tension is high between the two neighbors following an artillery fire exchange which left four Southerners dead last month.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's administration scrambles to respond to criticism that it was unprepared for a November 23 North Korean artillery attack

South Korea urges talks to disarm North Korea

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (C)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/157704.html


South Korea has adopted a softer tone on North Korea's nuclear issue, calling for a revival of international talks with Pyongyang to shut down its nuclear program.

"(We) have no choice but to resolve the problem of dismantling North Korea's nuclear program diplomatically through the six-party talks," South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said as he received a 2011 policy report from the foreign ministry on Wednesday, AFP reported.

Tensions have been high on the Korean Peninsula after a November 23 artillery fire exchange which left four South Koreans, including two civilians, dead. The incident turned many heads as it became the first shelling of a civilian area in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War.

The crisis further deepened over rounds of joint military drills South Korea held with the United States despite threats of retaliation from Pyongyang.

While the North backed down on its threats in a change of tone, Russia and China are making efforts to resume talks with the North to further ease high tensions.

A US diplomat who visited Pyongyang this month said the North had agreed with the return of UN nuclear inspectors and to dispose of fuel rods outside the country.

Lee on Wednesday said the international community is pressed for time to denuclearize the North, which has set the 100th anniversary of founder Kim Il-Sung's birth in 2012 as the year to become a "great, powerful and prosperous" nation.

Therefore, we "should certainly achieve the dismantlement of its nuclear program next year," he insisted.

The North shut down its elderly plutonium-producing reactor in 2007 under a disarmament deal reached in six-party talks which involved the two Koreas, China, Russia, Japan and the US. The talks failed in April 2009 following new inter-Korean tensions.

In October, Pyongyang unveiled a uranium enrichment plant which US officials claimed could easily be converted to produce weapons-grade uranium. But North Korea says its new plant is solely aimed at fueling a light-water reactor being built to produce energy.

South Korean President urges national unity

South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/157323.html


South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has called for national unity and solidarity in the face of military threat from North Korea.

Lee said in a national radio address on Monday that division in the country would give the North another chance to attack, thus endangering the lives of South Korean people.

"We can't afford to have division of you against me in the face of national security, because what's at stake is our very lives and the survival of this nation," Reuters quoted Lee as saying.

"It is when we show solidarity as one that the North dares not challenge us. Their will to challenge breaks," he added.

Lee put an end to the decade-long free economic help given to the impoverished North as he took office in 2008.

However, he has come under severe criticism for indecisiveness and the military's soft reaction to North's artillery attack last month.

Tensions climbed in the Korean Peninsula after North Korea shelled South Korean Yeonpyeong Island on November 23, killing four people.

The North, however, insists that its shelling was in response to a military drill by the South.

South Korea to hold naval firing drills

The South Korean Navy MSB (Movement Sea Base) floats off the coast of Yeonpyeong Island

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/157193.html


South Korea plans to hold a fresh round of naval firing drills at 23 locations around the Korean Peninsula, excluding areas near the disputed sea border with North Korea.

"This is part of a regular practice involving army, naval and air forces... and the state-run Agency for Defense Development will also conduct ammunition tests off the west coast," a spokesman for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff told AFP on Sunday.

The drills will be held around the Korean peninsula from December 27 to 31, the report added.

Last week, the South staged a live-fire artillery exercise on Yeonpyeong Island, lasting about two hours.

The maneuvers at a firing range in Pocheon, around 30 km from the inter-Korean border, involved more than 100 types of weapons.

Thursday also saw the second day of a three-day firing exercise by the South Korean navy in the Sea of Japan to the east of the peninsula, about 100 km south of the maritime border with North Korea.

The North did not retaliate despite earlier warnings.

In November, an artillery exchange between the two neighbors left four South Koreans dead on a border Island.

'Pyongyang's restraint prevented war'

A North Korean military unit of missile carriers during a military parade in Pyongyang (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/157165.html


North Korea has prevented a devastating war from happening on the Korean Peninsula through its remarkable restraint measures, the country's newspapers say.

In a commentary on Saturday, the daily Minju Choson wrote that a military conflict and an all-out war had been prevented by the peace-loving Democratic People's Republic of Korea thanks to the great restraint it has shown so far.

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper said it was only because of Pyongyang's desire for peace that the military provocation of the United States and South Korea had not led to a war.

The paper also urged the South Korean authorities not to believe North Korea is too "weak" to launch a counterattack.

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is closely watching over the moves of the warmongers," Rodong Sinmun wrote.

On December 20, the South Korean military held a live-fire artillery drill in the Yellow Sea one month after North Korea's deadly attack on Yeonpyeong Island.

Two South Korean marines and two construction workers were killed on November 23 when North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells onto the small island.

The attack set more than 60 houses ablaze and sent civilians fleeing in terror.

Seoul said that it will engage in active diplomacy with the US, China, and countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula to seek punitive action against Pyongyang for the artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island.

Seoul is still technically at war with Pyongyang since the Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

North Korea ready for 'sacred war'

A military parade in North Korea, file photo

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156875.html


North Korea has threatened to wage a 'sacred war' with the South using its nuclear deterrent, warning that military exercise conducted in the Yellow Sea are a preparation for war.

"The South Korean puppet forces perpetrated such grave military provocation as renewing their shelling against the DPRK [North Korea] during their recent exercises for a war of aggression in the West Sea [Yellow Sea] of Korea," Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency quoted North Korea's Armed Forces Minister Kim Yong-chun as saying on Thursday.

The remarks came after Seoul held the war game early Thursday in the Pocheon region, between the South Korean capital Seoul and the heavily armed de-Militarized zone separating the two Koreas.

"This indicates that the enemy's scenario for aggression aimed at the start of another Korean War, has reached the phase of its implementation," Kim added.

"The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK are getting fully prepared to launch a sacred war of justice of Korean style based on the nuclear deterrent at anytime necessary to cope with the enemies' actions deliberately pushing the situation to the brink of a war."

North Korea also issued a statement on Thursday calling the drills "provocative'' and "offensive.''

This is while South Korean President Lee Myung-bak toured a border outpost and vowed a powerful response if provoked again by North Korea, suggesting that was the path toward peace, a Press TV correspondent reported.

While Pyongyang, which claims ownership of nearby waters, considers the military exercises as an infringement of its territory, Seoul says the drills are defensive.

In recent months, the United States and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions climbed in the Korean Peninsula after North Korea shelled South Korean Yeonpyeong Island on November 23, killing four people. The North, however, insists that its shelling was in response to a live-fire drill by the South.

North Korea slams South's military drill

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (R) and his son and heir Jong-un are depicted in this undated photo released by the KCNA news agency

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156749.html


North Korea has slammed South Korea's major ground and air live-fire drill amid growing tension on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea's military ended a major live-fire exercise involving tanks, artillery and fighter planes, AFP reported on Thursday.

The South started the war game in the Pocheon region, between the South Korean capital Seoul and the heavily armed De-Militarized Zone separating the two Koreas at 2:43 pm (0543 GMT) and ended at 3:24 pm.

More than 800 military personnel took part in the exercise. It also included six fighter jets, anti-tank missiles, and involve more than 100 types of weapons.

The two Koreas got engaged in an artillery fire exchange on the Yeonpyeong Island during which four South Koreans were killed. Tensions remain high on the Korean peninsula since then.

According to an army spokesman, the Thursday drill at Pocheon, 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the border, was the biggest of its kind to be held at the range.

The drill at the Pocheon range would "demonstrate our solid military preparedness,” First Armoured Battalion commander Choo Eun-Sik said earlier on Wednesday.

In recent months, the United States and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

The North has called the drills provocative and an effort to trigger a war, warning the South against holding more joint military exercises with Washington.

Tensions erupted between the two Koreas after last month's deadly clash between South and North Korean forces along their disputed sea borders.

The fighting left four South Koreans, including two civilians, dead. Each side blames the other for initiating the fighting.

South Korea to hold new live-fire drill

In recent months, the United States and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in waters east of the Korean Peninsula

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156576.html


South Korea has announced that it is to hold a new live-fire drill near border with North Korea, further intensifying the impasse in the Korean Peninsula.

The drill, involving fighter jets and tanks, will be held on Thursday, only three days after South Korea carried out a one-day live-fire drill in the Yellow Sea despite threats of retaliation and stronger strikes from North Korea, AFP reported Wednesday.

Thursday's ground and air firing exercise would also involve self-propelled guns and 800 soldiers, South korea's military said.

According to an army spokesman, the drill at Pocheon, 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the border, would be the biggest of its kind to be held at the range.

The spokesperson further pointed out that similar drills had been held at Pocheon many times before.

The drill at the Pocheon range would "demonstrate our solid military preparedness,” First Armoured Battalion commander Choo Eun-Sik said.

"We will retaliate thoroughly if the North commits another provocative act like the shelling of Yeonpyeong," he added.

In recent months, the United States and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

The North has called the drills provocative and an effort to trigger a war, warning the South against holding more joint military exercises with Washington.

Tensions erupted between the two Koreas after last month's deadly clash between South and North Korean forces along their disputed sea borders.

The fighting left four South Koreans, including two civilians, dead. Each side blames the other for initiating the fighting.

Koreas were close to war says Chinese diplomat

South Korean soldiers, file photo

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156563.html


A top Chinese diplomat says the enmity between the two Koreas had come “close to fighting a war,” as tension had mounted in the Korean Peninsula.

China' deputy UN ambassador, Wang Min, who was speaking to an audience of young people at a Security Council debate on Tuesday, reiterated that tension in the Korean Peninsula has been very high “especially in the past two days.”

Western countries' efforts to issue a statement during a UN Security Council emergency meeting on Monday to publicly condemn North Korea's artillery attack yielded no results due to China's resistance.

Pointing out the long-lasting hostilities between North and South Korea, he stressed that the UN Security Council aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the crisis, but not in the near future.

“Their feud has gone on for decades, it did not start yesterday, therefore it is unlikely that the problems can be resolved overnight," Wang said.

"First of all we hope that they can remain calm, we hope that they will refrain from engaging in any conflict," he added.

South Korea carried out one-day live-fire drills near a disputed sea border island with North Korea on Monday despite threats of retaliation and stronger attacks from Pyongyang.

However, North retracted its earlier threats saying it does not intend to retaliate for the exercises.

China has strongly urged both sides of the Korean Peninsula to show calm and restraint to solve issues through peaceful dialogue, saying that maintaining peace and stability in the region is in the interest of both sides.

South Korea ends one-day military drill

Colonel Lee Boong-Woo, spokesman of South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a briefing on the live-fire exercise on Yeonpyeong Island, at the Defense Ministry in Seoul on Monday, December 20, 2010

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156292.html


South Korea has completed its one-day maritime artillery drills from a front-line island attacked last month by North Korea.

South Korea said it launched fighter jets to deter any North Korean attacks during the hour-long drills on Yeonpyeong Island, the Yonhap news agency reported on Monday.

The live-fire naval exercise ended peacefully after one hour and 34 minutes with no immediate reaction from the North.

The island was shelled by the North after similar drills last month.

The North considers the waters around Yeonpyeong its territory and has threatened to retaliate for any new drills.

The military exercise took place in waters just south of Yeonpyeong Island where a North Korean shelling on November 23 killed two South Korean marines and two civilians.

The North has accused the South of provoking the attack because shells from a South Korean military drill landed in the North's waters.

On Sunday, South Korea ordered thousands to find shelter in preparation for the drill while the United Nations' Security Council wrangled for nearly eight hours over growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula before ending its emergency meeting without a unified statement.

About 8,000 residents were ordered to take cover in Yeonpyeong, Baengnyeong, Daecheong, Socheong and Udo in the hours leading up to the drills.

North Korea said over the weekend that the planned exercises were designed to violate the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1953 and "ignite war at any cost.”

South Korea starts live-fire drill

South Korean residents take shelter on Yeonpyeong Island near the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea on Monday December 20, 2010

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156270.html


South Korean troops have started a live-fire artillery exercise on a border island, the South Korean Defense Ministry says.

"The drill has started," a ministry spokesman told AFP on Monday.

South Korean Marines began one-day artillery drills on Yeonpyeong Island at 02:30 p.m. (05:30 GMT) on Monday, an officer at South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

South Korea's military will "immediately and sternly" deal with any possible provocation by North Korea, the officer noted, speaking on condition of anonymity citing department rules.

This comes despite threats by North Korea to hit back and after South Korea refused to back down over a live-fire drill near disputed Yeonpyeong Island.

South Korea launches fighter jets to deter any possible attack by North Korea.

Norht Korea has threatened to retalitate any new drills by the South.

Residents, local officials and journalists on the island were ordered to evacuate to underground shelters because of possible attacks by North Korea, he further explained.

Meanwhile, a number of peace activists in South Korea took part in a rally in protest against the planned drills.

South Korea refuses to quit live-fire drill

South Korean marines patrol on Yeonpyeong Island.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156272.html


South Korea has refused to back down over a live-fire drill near a disputed sea border island with North Korea despite fears of triggering a war in the region.

Marines will conduct the one-day artillery drills on Yeonpyeong Island later Monday and the exact timing will be determined by weather conditions, an officer at South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

South Korea's military will "immediately and sternly" deal with any possible provocation by North Korea, the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity citing department rules.

Residents, local officials and journalists on the island were ordered to evacuate to underground shelters because of possible attacks by North Korea, he said.

Meanwhile, a number of peace activists in South Korea have taken part in a rally in protest against the planned drills.

They're calling on the military to cancel what they say is a provoking exercise.

The protesters say the military exercise could trigger a clash between the two Koreas.

They're calling on the government to solve its problems with the North through dialog.

The UN Security Council failed Sunday to agree on a statement to address rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

UN holds emergency talks on Koreas

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156218.html


As Washington and Seoul reject calls to avoid live-fire drills, the UN Security Council holds an emergency meeting to discuss the escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula.

At the meeting, Russia called for a special UN envoy to hold urgent talks between the two Koreas.

The situation is deteriorating on the Korean peninsula as South Korea and the US look set to hold yet another joint, live-fire, war game.

The drill is planned to be held on Yeongpeong Island.

North Korean guns pounded Yeongpeong last month during a drill by South Korean artillery that sent shells falling into disputed waters.

The ensuing artillery exchange left four South Koreans dead.

Pyongyang has threatened to hit back harder if the South and the US go ahead with their latest live exercise.

North Korea's military is now reportedly on high alert in the area. Pyongyang has warned that that the war games could bring the Koreas closer to the brink of war.

The North accuses US President Barack Obama of plotting with regional allies to topple the country's government, insisting that its nuclear program is a deterrent against US forces in the region.

Russia calls for UN meeting on Koreas

UN Security Council

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156105.html

Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over the growing tensions between North and South Koreas.

Russia's Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin said on Saturday that his respective government wants the Security Council to send a "restraining signal" to North Korea and resolve the disputes between the Koreas through diplomatic means.

He expressed regret that the Council did not convene its emergency meeting on the issue on Saturday, AP reported.

The US mission to the UN has announced that the meeting is scheduled to be held on Sunday because other council members need time for further consultations.

Russia's request comes a few hours after North Korea served a warning to South Korea over holding live-fire artillery exercises on the Yeonpyeong border island.

The upcoming exercise "would make it impossible to prevent the situation on the Korean Peninsula from exploding and escape its ensuing disaster," Pyongyang said in a statement.

South Korean officials, however, have vowed to carry out the drills on Monday or Tuesday.

Russia and China have expressed concern over the situation in the Korean Peninsula, urging South Korea to cancel its plans for the exercises.

On November 23, North Korea allegedly shelled Yeonpyeong Island, killing two South Korean marines and two civilians.

The North says the attack was in retaliation to artillery shells from the South Korean side that had landed in its waters.

South Korea to hold drills amid tensions

In recent months, the US and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in waters east of the Korean Peninsula

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156123.html


South Korea resists pressure from Russia and China to cancel live-fire exercises amid warnings from North Korea over the upcoming war games in the Korean Peninsula.

"We have no plan to cancel our exercises," a South Korean defense ministry spokesman said on Sunday, adding that the one-day drills may take place on Monday or Tuesday.

The North has warned the South that Seoul will face disaster if it goes ahead with the live-fire exercises on Yeonpyeong Island near the disputed Yellow Sea border.

The upcoming exercise "would make it impossible to prevent the situation on the Korean Peninsula from exploding and escape its ensuing disaster," Pyongyang said in a statement.

It said its military has already threatened "decisive and merciless punishment" for such an action and "does not make an empty talk."

The foreign ministers of China and Russia on Saturday called for restraint on the Korean Peninsula as the UN Security Council (UNSC) prepares for an emergency meeting over the tensions between the two Koreas.

"China firmly opposes any actions to cause tension and worsen the situation, and demands both sides on the peninsula show calmness and restraint," said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

The Koreas must "carry out dialogue and contact, and completely avoid any actions that would fuel the tension," Yang said.

The UNSC called a meeting for Sunday at Russia's request, following Seoul's Thursday announcement to launch the live-fire artillery exercises.

Meanwhile, the US urged top North Korean leaders in Pyongyang to show "maximum restraint" over the South's planned live-fire drills.

US President Barack Obama has already vowed to offer what he described as 'unshakeable support' for Seoul.

In recent months, the US and South Korea have conducted several massive joint sea and air drills in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

The North has called the drills provocative and an effort to trigger a war, warning the South against holding more joint military exercises with Washington.

Tensions have erupted between the two Koreas after last month's deadly clash between South and North Korean forces along their disputed sea borders.

The fighting left four South Koreans, including two civilians, dead. Each side blames the other for initiating the fighting.

Seoul to go ahead with live-fire drill

Tensions threaten to spiral out of control in the Korean Peninsula as South Korean marines prepare for a live-fire military exercise on Yeonpyeong Island

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/155959.html

The South Korean military says it will conduct its joint live-fire exercise with the US on an island near the disputed sea border despite North Korea's warning of a deadly retaliation.

With the threat of a full-blown military confrontation looming large on the Korean Peninsula following the shelling of South Korean Yeonpyeong Island on November 23 by the North's forces, concerns are running high that Seoul's live-fire military drill, planned for Dec 18-21, on the island near the disputed sea would further complicate the situation in the region.

"There is no change in our stance with regards to the live-fire exercise," AFP quoted a South Korean defense ministry spokesman on Saturday. "We cannot confirm... whether we will carry out the exercise today."

The remarks come as North Korea vowed on Friday that it would immediately hit back with a deadlier attack as compared to its last month's bombardment, which killed four South Koreans, including two Marines and two civilians.

"It will be deadlier than what was made on November 23 in terms of the powerfulness and sphere of the strike," reads a statement by the North Korean military.

However, there were no signs of any visible military preparation or noticeable activity by the South Korean marines on Yeonpyeong, one of the five islands in the volatile western waters of the Korean Peninsula.

Yonhap news agency quoted a South Korean military source as saying that the planned drill may be postponed due to bad weather conditions.

"Weather conditions are the most important factor in deciding the time for a drill. Early next week will be the most likely time to hold it because the weather should improve," the source said.

Meanwhile, China called on the parties to the conflict to practice restraint, saying the regional stability would come under new strains if new clashes break out in the Korean Peninsula.

"The situation on the Korean peninsula is now particularly complex and sensitive, and China is highly concerned," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Saturday.

US diplomat Bill Richardson, who is in Pyongyang, also expressed deep concerns over the threat of military confrontation in the region, describing the situation as "a tinderbox."

He further urged North Korean officials to allow theb South conduct its live-fire exercises, with the United States, which currently has 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea.

The latest development comes as the outburst of enmity between Pyongyang and Seoul has invoked the specter of a full-blown military conflict reminiscent of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The two countries remain technically at war since the Korean conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

Russia summons US, S Korea envoys

South Korean marines patrol Yeonpyeong Island on Friday, December 17

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/155903.html


Russia has reportedly summoned the South Korean and US envoys over a live-fire drill planned by Seoul amid mounting tensions with North Korea.

Russia pointed that a similar exercise overseen by a senior US commander provoked North Korea to retaliate by shelling Yeonpyeong Island last month.

“We strongly call on South Korea to refrain from holding the planned artillery firing in order to prevent a further escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula,” a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.

The North Korean military threatened on Friday to strike back if South Korea goes ahead with the drill.

As a member-state of the six-party negotiations on the Korean peninsula crisis, Russia hosted the North Korean foreign minister last week in a bid to help find a way out of the escalating dispute.

The talks ended with Russia expressing “deep concern” over reports that Pyongyang was developing industrial uranium enrichment capabilities.

Moscow also called on both sides to show restraint after last month's shelling of the island.

South Korea's drills, which are planned to be held on Yeonpyeong Island from December 18, are the source of a warning, the North Korean KCNA reported on Friday.

“The strike will play out a more serious situation than on November 23 in terms of strength and scope of the strike,” KCNA said.

At least four South Koreans were killed after the South and North engaged in an artillery fire exchange near Yeonpyeong Island last month.

Pyongyang said the November 23 shelling of Yeonpyeong was a response to Seoul's previous live-fire exercises.

The announcement comes as the US and China are holding intensive talks to resolve the deadlock between the two neighbors.

North Korea threatens South Korea over drills

South Korean army K-1A tanks prepare for the live-fire drills near the disputed border, file photo

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/155871.html


North Korea has threatened it would launch stronger attacks on South Korea if the southern neighbor wants to carry out more live-fire drills.

South Korea's drills, which are planned to be held on Yeonpyeong Island from December 18, are the source of a warning, North Korean news agency KCNA reported on Friday.

"The strike will play out a more serious situation than on November 23 in terms of strength and scope of the strike," the agency said.

At least four South Koreans were killed after the two countries engaged in an artillery fire exchange near Yeonpyeong Island last month.

Pyongyang said the November 23 shelling of Yeonpyeong was a response to South Korea's previous live-fire exercises.

The announcement comes as the US and China are holding intensive talks to resolve the deadlock between the two neighbors.

US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg is on a three-day visit to China to press the Chinese government to use its economic and diplomatic influence to control its ally, North Korea.

Also US diplomat Bill Richardson is in Pyongyang following a series of efforts to reduce tension in the Korean Peninsula

South Korea plans new maneuver

South Korean warships (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/155760.html


The South Korean military plans to hold new live-fire artillery drills in the Yellow Sea, a month after North Korea's deadly attack on the Yeonpyeong Island.

"The military decided to hold a one-day war game on Yeonpyeong Island between December 18 and 21," state-run Yonhap news agency quoted the spokesman for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Col. Lee Bung-woo, as saying in Seoul on Thursday.

He added the drill would take place as soon as weather and other relevant conditions allow. It would be the first such maneuver on Yeonpyeong Island since North Korea's attack last month.

Some 20 US military personnel will provide medical, communications and intelligence support to South Korean troops in the military exercise.

Two South Korean marines and two construction workers were killed on November 23 after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells onto the small island of Yeonpyeong.

The attack set more than 60 houses ablaze and sent civilians fleeing in terror.

On March 2, the 1,200-ton South Korean Cheonan warship sank near the inter-Korea maritime border. The tragic incident led to the deaths of 46 South Korean sailors.

Seoul accuses Pyongyang of involvement in the sinking of its warship. Pyongyang however says aluminum alloy fragments recovered by South Korea prove that no North Korean torpedo was involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, South Korean military has strengthened its force on five islands close to North Korea to prevent the situation from escalating in the event of an armed clash.

Seoul has stated that it will engage in active diplomacy with the United States, China and countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula to seek punitive action against Pyongyang for the deadly artillery attack on the Yeonpyeong Island.

Seoul is still technically at war with Pyongyang since Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, with neither side able to claim outright victory.

Almost half a million South Koreans died as a result of the 1950-1953 conflict. North Korea suffered 290,000 casualties in the conflict, according to data from official Chinese sources.

In the three years of fighting, 1,263 of the Commonwealth forces were killed and a further 4,817 were wounded, while the US lost 33,000 men.

A total of 339 Australian troops were killed and 1216 wounded in the war.

South Korea holds huge civil defense drills

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/155571.html


South Korea has held nationwide civil defense drills amid escalating tensions with North Korea in the wake of an exchange of artillery fire last month between the two neighbors.

The 15-minute exercise was held on Wednesday in Seoul and other South Korean cities, AFP reported.

A dozen jet fighters were mobilized to simulate airstrikes by the North in the civil exercise -- the most extensive since a civil defense law was passed in 1975.

The South's National Emergency Management Agency described the situation on the Korean Peninsula as "grave" after the artillery exchange between the two countries on November 23. The incident was the first shelling of a civilian area in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War.

"Public concern has been growing over North Korea's provocations," the South Korean government agency said in a statement, citing continued military threats, high tensions in the Yellow Sea and the possibility of a third nuclear test by the North.

A report by US experts in mid-November revealed an apparently operational uranium enrichment plant in the North, which Pyongyang claims is part of a peaceful atomic energy program.

But officials in the United States believe the plant could easily be altered to produce weapons-grade uranium to add to the country's plutonium stockpile.

On Tuesday, the US State Department claimed the North has "at least one other" uranium enrichment site apart from the one disclosed at its main nuclear complex at the Yongbyon research center, and that the facility “remains a significant area of concern.”

China, seen as North Korea's main ally and business partner, has called for a new meeting of envoys for six-party talks to resolve the latest crisis on the peninsula.

But the United States, Japan and South Korea say a return to negotiations at this point could be seen as rewarding the North's aggression.

They are trying to pressure China to take a tougher action toward Pyongyang to rein in its Korean ally.