North and South Korea Briefly Exchange Fire

Nubclear · July 16, 2003, 23:15

Just heard that North and South Korea exchanged fire.....

http://story.news.yahoo.com/fc?cid=3...at=North_Korea

DinoDoc · July 16, 2003, 23:16

Go Sunshine Policy!

Odin · July 16, 2003, 23:20

Oh sh!t.

The Mad Monk · July 16, 2003, 23:44

Post for the lazy:

Quote:

North, South Korea Soldiers Exchange Fire
1 hour, 50 minutes ago Add World - AP to My Yahoo!

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press Writer

SEOUL, South Korea - South and North Korean soldiers briefly exchanged machine gun fire along their border on Thursday, but the South Korean military said it did not suffer casualties in the shootout.

It was not immediately known whether any North Korean troops were injured or killed in the firefight in the Demilitarized Zone, a buffer area that was created at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War to keep opposing armies apart.

Tension on the Korean Peninsula is high over North Korea (news - web sites)'s suspected development of nuclear weapons, and such shooting incidents in the DMZ are rare. In recent years, however, negotiations and reconciliation efforts have moved forward despite such outbreaks of violence.

In Washington, Pentagon (news - web sites) spokesman Lt. Dan Hetlage said: "The Pentagon is aware of the incident but has no comment."

North Korean soldiers fired four rounds at 6:10 a.m., and South Korean soldiers issued a warning broadcast before firing 17 rounds in response one minute later, said Maj. Lee of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. He said the North Korean fire came from a machine gun, and that the South was using a machine gun called a K-3.

Issued over a loudspeaker, the South Korean broadcast told the North Koreans that they were in "clear violation" of the terms of the armistice that ended the Korean War.

"Immediately stop the provocation," the broadcast said.

Under terms of the armistice, North and South Korean soldiers can patrol in the DMZ, but they are not allowed to move around with heavy weapons such as machine guns.

However, Lee said the two sides are allowed to keep machine guns inside observation posts, and that the guns used in the shootout were located in such posts. Lee, who did not give his first name, said the incident happened near the South Korean town of Yonchon, 35 miles north of the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Yonchon is 25 miles east of Panmunjom, a cluster of buildings where the armistice was signed. The U.S.-led United Nations (news - web sites) Command controls the southern half of the DMZ and North Korea oversees the northern half.

Over the decades, violence has periodically erupted at the DMZ, though such incidents have tapered off in recent years. The 2.5 mile-wide, 155 mile-long zone is laced with minefields, fences and observation posts.

The nuclear dispute flared in October when U.S. officials said North Korea admitted it had a clandestine nuclear program in violation of a 1994 agreement with Washington.

The United States and its allies suspended fuel shipments promised under the 1994 deal, and Pyongyang retaliated by expelling U.N. monitors, restarting facilities capable of making fuel for nuclear bombs and withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

This week, U.S. officials said they were not sure whether North Korean representatives were bluffing or telling the truth when they claimed last week to have finished extracting plutonium — a key ingredient for nuclear weapons — from 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods.

At the United Nations Wednesday, Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) urged North Korea and the United States to find a peaceful solution to nuclear dispute.

Annan said he had been in contact with both parties which have different ideas for discussions.

North Korea wants bilateral negotiations with Washington, but recently said it might consider U.S. demands for talks involving several nations, if it could also meet one-on-one with the United States.

On Wednesday, the North's state-run Rodong Sinmun said U.S. demands for multilateral talks to resolve the crisis were complicating the issue, according to South Korea (news - web sites)'s Yonhap news agency. Washington says North Korea's nuclear ambitions are a regional threat and talks should include China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

The Mad Monk · July 16, 2003, 23:46

BTW, we've detected Krypton 35 over North Korea.

...

No, it has nothing to do with Superman.

Sava · July 16, 2003, 23:50

Skirmishes like these take place on a daily basis in Kashmir... I wouldn't be too concerned. As long as nobody mounts an offensive, or goes to the next level, things should be relatively quiet.

The Mad Monk · July 16, 2003, 23:51

That's Kashmir. This isn't.

Sava · July 16, 2003, 23:53

Quote:

That's Kashmir. This isn't.

Good point... Kashmir is much more volatile considering there is more bad blood between India and Pakistan than SK and NK. NK's main beef is with the US. IIRC, the current SKorean president got elected on a unification platform. As long as Dubya doesn't fall asleep and bang his head on the red button, nobody will be glowing in the dark.

DinoDoc · July 16, 2003, 23:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
IIRC, the current SKorean president got elected on a unification platform.

That explains why the DPRK is taking pot shots at ROK troops.

Go Sunshine Policy!

PLATO · July 16, 2003, 23:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
Good point... Kashmir is much more volatile considering there is more bad blood between India and Pakistan than SK and NK. NK's main beef is with the US. IIRC, the current SKorean president got elected on a unification platform. As long as Dubya doesn't fall asleep and bang his head on the red button, nobody will be glowing in the dark.

I hope your right. That conflict could go eithier way IMO.

Sava · July 17, 2003, 00:00

Quote:

That explains why the DPRK is taking pot shots at ROK troops.

Considering they have thousands of artillery pieces poised to turn Seoul into dust... I'm not too concerned about pot-shots. I'm sure Americans take pot-shots over the fence at Cubans down at Gitmo. Even the Russians and Americans traded fire in a few occasions. We're still here. Personally, I don't know why you're getting your panties in a bunch.

Quote:

I hope your right. That conflict could go eithier way IMO.

I do too.

In that conflict, all Koreans lose... and America wins.

Nubclear · July 17, 2003, 00:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
Good point... Kashmir is much more volatile considering there is more bad blood between India and Pakistan than SK and NK. NK's main beef is with the US. IIRC, the current SKorean president got elected on a unification platform. As long as Dubya doesn't fall asleep and bang his head on the red button, nobody will be glowing in the dark.

Yes, but when you hear violence in Kashmir, it's more of a "Again?" reaction than it is an "Oh sh!t." reaction here.

Zero · July 17, 2003, 00:23

dont they get into skirmishes in DMZ all the time and go unreported?

whats the big deal

Sava · July 17, 2003, 00:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Tassadar5000

Yes, but when you hear violence in Kashmir, it's more of a "Again?" reaction than it is an "Oh sh!t." reaction here.

sure, because every day we are watching news reports with ominous, serious music... "North Korea moving towards war" and then you see pictures of scary little Koreans with big hats marching with AK's. The media is pumping everyone so full of fear that if a twig snaps we all duck and cover.

Sava · July 17, 2003, 00:26

Quote:

dont they get into skirmishes in DMZ all the time and go unreported?

Normally nobody cares, but since the news outlets have been running the NK saga like it's the Cuban Missile Crisis, such relevant incidents will receive more attention than normal.

Odin · July 17, 2003, 00:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
sure, because every day we are watching news reports with ominous, serious music... "North Korea moving towards war" and then you see pictures of scary little Koreans with big hats marching with AK's. The media is pumping everyone so full of fear that if a twig snaps we all duck and cover.

DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nubclear · July 17, 2003, 00:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
sure, because every day we are watching news reports with ominous, serious music... "North Korea moving towards war" and then you see pictures of scary little Koreans with big hats marching with AK's. The media is pumping everyone so full of fear that if a twig snaps we all duck and cover.

Actually, I particularly like those marching scenes. Very communistic.

Sava, I do think you are underestimating the seriousness of the North Korean situation. They have NUKES for gods sake....Shouldn't people pay more attention, well, because of that?

Sava · July 17, 2003, 00:32

Quote:

Sava, I do think you are underestimating the seriousness of the North Korean situation. They have NUKES for gods sake....Shouldn't people pay more attention, well, because of that?

I'm not under-estimating it, it is a serious situation that requires delicate diplomacy. But I'm not about to hide under the bed every time something like this happens.

Nubclear · July 17, 2003, 00:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
I'm not under-estimating it, it is a serious situation that requires delicate diplomacy. But I'm not about to hide under the bed every time something like this happens.

Nor am I, mainly because targets are mainly Japanese and South Korean with major US cities coming next.
But like in a chess game, every move should be monitored VERY closely. When the armstice is violated....

Sava · July 17, 2003, 00:36

NK will never have the full capability of nuking major US cities in the way you think. If there is so much a fart from a missile silo, I have full confidence that Dubya will make that entire peninsula glow in the dark before one even gets off the ground. That's the only good thing about having a cowboy in office.

Nubclear · July 17, 2003, 00:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
NK will never have the full capability of nuking major US cities in the way you think. If there is so much a fart from a missile silo, I have full confidence that Dubya will make that entire peninsula glow in the dark before one even gets off the ground. That's the only good thing about having a cowboy in office.

No. He can't go to war with NK now because then North Korea (and this is confirmed, of course) would be able to nuke Tokyo, Seoul, etc etc....Not good for the US, and definately not good for Bush politically.

Alexander's Horse · July 17, 2003, 00:43

calm down everyone. this has happened before

Kramerman · July 17, 2003, 00:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Tassadar5000

No. He can't go to war with NK now because then North Korea (and this is confirmed, of course) would be able to nuke Tokyo, Seoul, etc etc....Not good for the US, and definately not good for Bush politically.

if a nuke is heading toward the US with a NK return address, i think any president could care less of the consequences... complete and utter retaliation against the enemy.

RedFred · July 17, 2003, 01:30

The Horse is right. No need for panic. But I would appreciate the perspective of some of our Korean posters on this issue.

Sikander · July 17, 2003, 02:13

Quote:

Originally posted by RedFred
The Horse is right. No need for panic. But I would appreciate the perspective of some of our Korean posters on this issue.

As long as they aren't North Korean posters!

The piratical hegemonistic forces of the United States along with their lackies and imperialist stooges have created a great provocation against the peaceful and peace loving Korean people and their Dear Leader!

[Diplomatic Subtext] So, do you guys want to break for lunch?

The Mad Monk · July 17, 2003, 02:18

Apparently, the North Koreans are so paranoid about the internet that they run their official site out of Singapore.

Nubclear · July 17, 2003, 02:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Kramerman

if a nuke is heading toward the US with a NK return address, i think any president could care less of the consequences... complete and utter retaliation against the enemy.

You misread, I meant a nuke headed towards Japan or South Korea.

Seeker · July 17, 2003, 03:42

two converging events disturb me in regards to peace on the peninsula:

1. the successful test of the Tae'Po Dong by Iran. If the Iranians can make it work, then the NK probably have 1 trans-Pacific missile(if it's the 3-stage), and will have more.

2. More bombs: Those wacky NKs keep extracting Plutonium, and they are said to be making smaller bombs so they can stick them on their rockets. Supposedly they have enough for 8 right now.

I hope Bush's SDI can handle eight. If they have eight ICBMs, they can threaten a big chunk of the West Coast.

VJ · July 17, 2003, 04:00

Quote:

sure, because every day we are watching news reports with ominous, serious music... "North Korea moving towards war" and then you see pictures of scary little Koreans with big hats marching with AK's. The media is pumping everyone so full of fear that if a twig snaps we all duck and cover.

True words.

Giancarlo · July 17, 2003, 04:02

I think many of you underestimate the power of the South Korean Military. This isn't the one of the 1950s. I could bring up exact weapon numbers, aircraft, naval and ground. It appears South Korea has better quality artillery pointed at Pyongyang.

Quote:

If they have eight ICBMs, they can threaten a big chunk of the West Coast.

All the tracking/guiding systems in these weapons are of antiquated nature, and probably will end up in the ocean if fired.