...a few minutes ago, South Korea announced that military exercises on Yeonpyeong Island are to begin within hours...
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| The islands in the Yellow Sea which are dotted along the disputed North-South divide have been the site of inter-Korean strife in the past. Picture by: JOE BRISCOE |
Let's take this time to briefly assess the situation.
But first - those crazy guys in the North...
At this years Shanghai World Expo, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to look around the North Korean pavillion - the first time the secretive state has been present at an Expo. What I found inside was interesting, a little creepy and incredibly bizarre.
The walls were painted in rainbows, and pretend rivers had been constructed - over which ran the 'bridge of reunification'.
Images of smiling children could be seen in every corner of the odd building, along with multicoloured water fountains. Infact the entire pavillion reminded me of something out of a slightly sinister, Asian production of The Wizard of Oz.
What I did manage to find, however, was a fascinating array of books on sale - all of them propaganda of the most ludicrous kind - which I bought nonetheless. These publications offered a truly warped insight into the type of mentality the people of the North are exposed to. I have included a selection of quotes from the publication: Kim Jong Il: Day of having Korea Reunified.
"Kim Jong Il thinks it would not be strange if the ceasefire is switched to a state of war at any moment, so long as US soldiers armed with nuclear weapons stay in south Korea, violating the armistice agreement and refusing the conclusion of a peace treaty. He views coolly the stark reality in which about 2 million heavily-armed soldiers, including US troops equipped with nuclear weapons, stand face to face. It is unprecedented in history that a ceasefire agreement has been in effect for so long.
"If a second Korean war breaks out, what kind of military action might north Korea take irrespective of it's reasons? [edit]
But first - those crazy guys in the North...
At this years Shanghai World Expo, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to look around the North Korean pavillion - the first time the secretive state has been present at an Expo. What I found inside was interesting, a little creepy and incredibly bizarre.
The walls were painted in rainbows, and pretend rivers had been constructed - over which ran the 'bridge of reunification'.
Images of smiling children could be seen in every corner of the odd building, along with multicoloured water fountains. Infact the entire pavillion reminded me of something out of a slightly sinister, Asian production of The Wizard of Oz.
What I did manage to find, however, was a fascinating array of books on sale - all of them propaganda of the most ludicrous kind - which I bought nonetheless. These publications offered a truly warped insight into the type of mentality the people of the North are exposed to. I have included a selection of quotes from the publication: Kim Jong Il: Day of having Korea Reunified.
"Kim Jong Il thinks it would not be strange if the ceasefire is switched to a state of war at any moment, so long as US soldiers armed with nuclear weapons stay in south Korea, violating the armistice agreement and refusing the conclusion of a peace treaty. He views coolly the stark reality in which about 2 million heavily-armed soldiers, including US troops equipped with nuclear weapons, stand face to face. It is unprecedented in history that a ceasefire agreement has been in effect for so long.
"If a second Korean war breaks out, what kind of military action might north Korea take irrespective of it's reasons? [edit]
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| The capital city Seoul itself is within range of Kim Jong Il's artillery. Picture by: JOE BRISCOE |
North Korea does not conceive of the fighting lasting for even several years or several months. It's first concern it not the southward advance of it's armoured units. It aims to destroy south Korea within two or three days through a concentrated fire of long-range guns, rockets and ballistic missiles, followed by air bombing. Then, it's special forces and armoured troops will push ahead, it's ground forces occupying south Korea within a week and realising north-south reunification. [edit]
Presumed scenario: Stage 1: b)Almost all areas of south Korea are destroyed on the first day of the attack by hundreds, nay, thousands of ballistic missiles raining down."
While all this is clearly posturing and rhetoric aimed at their own people, it does show very clearly how North Korea wishes to be perceived by the rest of the world - as someone to be feared.
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| Military tensions are at fever pitch in the Yellow Sea - a busy shipping lane, used by both Korea and China. Picture by: JOE BRISCOE |
Countries in the region are scared, and the very recent developments may prove to be very good reason for such worry. With Russia 'concerned' by the exercises, an emergency UN meeting called, and China seemingly less willing to support their neighbours - it seems anything can happen.
South Korea has, over the past few weeks, been making itself ready for this. The resignations of both chiefs of the army and the navy hint at great changes in their attitude to the North. Infact even the people of the South have critiscised the way President Lee Myung-bak handled the previous incidents of the Cheonan and Yeonpyeong - leading to alterations in their rules of engagement, enabling more deadly counter-strikes in the event of North aggression.
The North has pledged to attack, should the South go ahead with their military exercises. The South has pledged to striked back with more force, should the North attack, and so, at this point, it is hard to see a diplomatic solution emerging.
Bombs, it seems, will fall. Unless China and Russia intervene exceptionally quickly, the escalation looks to continue. And it could all turn very ugly, very soon.
The next few hours will be interesting indeed...
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| Disputed waters of the Yellow Sea: Is this the calm before an almighty storm? Picture by: JOE BRISCOE |
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