N. Korea Crisis - Updated as News come to hand

yes - but you know, we could have a bigger whoopsy over the line (was the last whoopsy really a whoopsy?) - - so the question at hand is - who is going to provoke the other worse? bet both parties have red faces and steam coming out of their ears - egg frying on the top of the head - and - drats we didn't set them over the edge so we could point the finger and cry - he did it (btw - took 4 days for NK to use the phrase human shield).

Originally posted by ni91ck

N.Korea 'Has 180,000 Special Forces Ready to Cross into South'

North Korea operates 40,000 special forces troops, including the 11th or "Storm" Corps whose mission is to infiltrate South Korea and create havoc in case of war. It also has around 10,000 naval special forces and around 5,000 air force soldiers who can cross the border if a war breaks out.

The figures were revealed in a speech by former South Korean commander of special operations Kim Yun-suk to fellow veterans at the War Memorial in Seoul.

Kim said the Storm Corps, which has been trained to stir up confusion behind enemy lines, is composed of four light infantry, seven airborne and three sniper brigades. And the 4th Corps special forces, stationed on the Ongjin Peninsula close to South Korea's Baeknyeong Islands in the West Sea, consists of 600 scout troops, 600 naval reconnaissance soldiers and around 1,800 naval forces.

More here:


english.chosun.com...

The moment the NK Special Troops enter the DMZ, just let rip with everything you got, simple!

They would be sitting ducks and isn't the DMZ full of land mines?

So basically, Mr Kim, your troops will be toast!

Originally posted by princeofpeace
Ummmm..the l;ast 100 posts ive had on here has been telling everyone NOTHING would come of this.

Want a medal?

I bet you were saying back in 2002 that no war would happen with Iraq either.

Fact is that this was the worse North Korean crisis in the last 20+ years. And it ain't over yet till they talk.

More news.

# Kyodo reports likely visit in Dec. by #ROK Pres. Lee to #Japan to discuss #DPRK. #Koreas less than 20 seconds ago via TweetDeck

# DPRK media again warning that US-ROK joint drills in Yellow Sea have brought region to brink of war and are a crime, "grave provocation." 3 minutes ago via TweetDeck

North Korea just announced their new battle plan :

Based on the tactics used in the favorite video game of the Dear Leader, we have improved our battle plans against the South Korean puppet government and their minions. Our new battle plan calls for a ZERG RUSH-type tactic to overwhelm the South puppet forces.

I Hope there wont be any war's, North Korea leader is a Pupet of Japans Black Dragon Society.
Who is control of Whom it is Dam Hard to know what elites are Planing .

More details on the SKorean deployment of additional forces on the shelled island.

South Korea's military has doubled the number of its K-9 howitzers on this border island shaken by North Korea's deadly artillery attack last week, sources said Monday.


Little Kimmy is so worried about a new war... that he's busy watching a musical show...

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il and his youngest son and heir apparent have watched a musical performance, state media said Monday, amid high tension after the North's deadly attack on a South Korean island.


Apparently the drill has been canceled for today due to ``bad weather``... really?
US-South Korea drill off due to bad weather

In some cases, journalists were prevented from filming, and the full details behind the cancellation were unclear.

Apparently the drill has been canceled for today due to ``bad weather``... really?
US-South Korea drill off due to bad weather

In some cases, journalists were prevented from filming, and the full details behind the cancellation were unclear.

edit on 28-11-2010 by Vitchilo because: (no reason given)

Actually, it's bad weather and they can't show their power to NK. What's point to waste their energy if NK can't see their power to be feared? That's why it was canceled.

reply to post by Aslpride


sounds like nerves.

Did you hear the speech by the South Korean President?

Very strong in tone, not very diplomatic - in the language and context of the test.

This stupid spat reminds me of the last 2 drunk'n fools I saw brawl at a bar.

One idiot slurs "I frig'n dare you to touch me, I'll kick your ass".. #2 stumbles over, uneasily stands at arms length, reaches out slowly and gently places his index finger on #1s shoulder... a "tap" with a wry smile.

#1 summarily slugged #2 in the mouth, hard. #2 doubled over looking done with, a rouse.. feigning being hurt #2 clocks unsuspecting #1 10 ring with the poky end of a bar stool.

From there they took turns kicking each-others sorry asses for another min or 2. Dumb as poop.

Yea sure, I get it that N Koreas opinion doesn't matter to the "Patriot Beer" drinking drunks.. but it matters to N. Korea. What's the point of ignoring their boundaries and doing something you know will cause a reaction?..oh yeah, it's called provocation.

Pop quiz:
Does provoking N Korea serve the interests of:
a) Soccer moms
b) Unemployed
c)The foreclosed
d) "the man"

Seems to me the man is unpopular, the unwashed masses are wicked pissed.. the blinding spit shine on the turd of change has long faded away revealing the pile of crap for what it is. What a great time to act like a drunk'n macho fool and go tap N Korea on the shoulder...and buy the nation a round of nipple cap patriot brews to suckle on... until mommy govt makes the bad man go away.

Video

Evidence of the rising tide of discontent has been captured on film by a small group of "citizen journalists", who newsgather at great personal risk to themselves. They then carry the footage across the heavily guarded border into China.

In one dramatic clip, a woman who is trying to board a truck to take her to work flies into a rage after a uniformed policeman demands a bribe. She shouts at him and waves her finger in his face until he backs away. Emboldened, other people come to her aid, shouting at the officer. The clip ends with the unidentified woman yelling: "This cop is an idiot!

Here's a link to a really interesting video shot secretly within North Korea very recently. It's amazing to see inside.

I understand skeptics might say the video is "faked" or "propaganda" but if true it's a real insight.

reply to post by Aslpride

Actually, it's bad weather and they can't show their power to NK.

Bad weather...really? Because if I watch on satellite image, there's no clouds over Korea. And the temperature in Seoul is 3C. Yeah... bad weather my butt. Maybe after all they realized that whole exercise was stupid and didn't help.

BBC's Chris Hogg live from Seoul says Pres. Lee, in speech, "sounded like a man at the end of his tether." #Koreas 41 minutes ago via TweetDeck

Yep...end of his rope... I thought for a second he would resign in shame.

# Yeonpyeong island now under #ROK military control. Journalists were ordered off the island Sunday PM. #Koreas about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

# Kyodo: #Japan gov't says for now will not accept China proposal on 6-party emergency talks about DPRK. #Koreas about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

More on the North Korea military deployment

Tensions are heightening in the area around Yeonpyeong Island, with the confirmation that North Korean forces deployed multi-launch rocket systems (MLRSs) forward to a coastal location facing the island and opened additional naval artillery firing ports on Sunday, the first day of joint South Korea-U.S. exercises. The North Korean military was also reported to have stepped up its anti-air posture targeting aerial activity by South Korean fighter planes, with the forward deployment of SA-2 earth-to-air missiles in the area north of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong Islands.

“The North Korean military was found to have deployed some of its 122 mm MLRSs forward to an inland area near Kaemori, from which the attack on Yeonpyeong Island was launched, and opened additional 76.2 mm naval artillery firing ports besides the previous fourteen locations,” said a military official said Sunday.

It was also confirmed that the North Korean military positioned anti-ship missiles on a launch pad in the area around Tungsangot in Hwanghae Province, near the West Sea Northern Limit Line (NLL).

“It appears that North Korea positioned SA-2 earth-to-air missiles to the front following the attack on Yeonpyeong Island,” said a government source.

“Vessels and forces with the North Korean Navy’s 8th squadron are on standby for emergency mobilization,” said another government source previously. “We suspect that a quasi-state-of-war has been declared.”

Currently, around 70 vessels, including patrol boats and high-speed boats, are reportedly on standby at Sagot in Ongjin County, Hwanghae Province, where the 8th squadron is stationed. This location is 32 km north of the NLL. The West Sea Fleet Command, which commands the 8th squadron, possesses around 420 escort vessels and guided missile boats, 130 air-cushioned landing craft, and 90 landing ships fast (LSF).

So the North is in a quasi state of war... probably ready to invade and try to hold the contested island.

And here's the entire South Korean PM speech.

Fellow Koreans,

Today, I am standing here keenly aware that I am responsible for not having been able to protect the lives and property of the people. I understand very well that you were greatly disappointed with how we responded to the shelling of Yeonpyeongdo (Yeonpyeong Island) by North Korea.

I feel enormous frustration and regret over the fact that innocent lives were lost and the homes and livelihood of the islanders were devastated.

I pray for the repose of the souls of Staff Sergeant Seo Jung-woo and Lance Corporal Moon Kwang-wook as well as the two civilian casualties-Mr. Kim Chi-baek and Mr. Bae Bok-chul. I also once again extend my heartfelt condolences to their families. I hope that those who were injured will recover quickly. I promise to urgently come up with the comprehensive measures to help the islanders of Yeonpyeongdo.

Fellow citizens,
North Korea's provocation this time was entirely different and unprecedented in nature. Since the end of the Korean War, the North has perpetrated numerous provocations, but it has never launched a direct attack onto our territory before. Making matters worse, it indiscriminately shelled the island where some 1,400 residents are peacefully living.

A military attack against civilians is strictly prohibited even in time of war; it is a crime against humanity.

Only a few meters away from where shells landed, there is a school where classes were going on. I am outraged by the ruthlessness of the North Korean regime, which is even indifferent to the lives of little children.
Countries around the world are joining us in denouncing North Korea.

We have thus far tolerated provocations by the North time and again. On January 21, 1968, North Korean commandos infiltrated into Seoul with the intent of killing the President. A bomb explosion in Rangoon, Burma, set off by North Korean agents, killed many high-ranking South Korean Government officials who were accompanying the President. The North has already tried and failed twice to kill the South Korean head of state. North Korean agents blew up a civilian airplane in 1987, taking the lives of 115 passengers.

South Korea nonetheless endured these continual provocations because we entertained a slight hope that the North would change course someday and an unwavering commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula. Over the past 20 years, therefore, South Korea has striven to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue and collaboration while at the same time providing unstinted humanitarian assistance.

North Korea, on the other hand, responded with a series of provocative acts, including the development of a nuclear program, the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan by an explosion and the shelling of Yeonpyeongdo.

At long last, we came to a realization that it no longer makes sense for us to anticipate that the North would abandon its nuclear program or its policy of brinkmanship on its own. The South Korean people now unequivocally understand that prolonged endurance and tolerance will spawn nothing but more serious provocations.

Those who have so far supported the North Korean regime might now see its true colors.

We are aware of the historic lesson that a disgraceful peace achieved through intimidation only brings about greater harm in the end. Only courage that defies retreat under any threat or provocation will bring about genuine peace. If the North commits any additional provocations against the South, we will make sure that it pays a dear price without fail.

I have confidence in the courage and potential of the citizens of Korea. We are a great people who, as of this year, have built the world's seventh largest export powerhouse in the face of the North's incessant menace and belligerence. In the current national crisis situation, the Korean people have demonstrated patriotism and composure.

Many young men and women went to the wake of the young soldiers who were killed in action. Citizens have volunteered to collect donations and have gone about their business with fortitude. The Republic of Korea is going to be safe and sound because of you.

There was a split in public opinion over the torpedoing of the Cheonan. Unlike that time, our people have united as one this time. Amid such unity and determination, any surreptitious attempt to create divisiveness in the nation will have no chance of success. Along with all the citizens of the Republic, I will never retreat.

The international community, too, is supporting us. Leaders of the United States, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom as well as Russia and many other countries condemned the act of brutality by the North and are standing in full support of our position. Especially, as our ally, the United States has demonstrated a strong resolve to respond by taking action.

Fellow Koreans,
The courageous members of our Armed Forces have fought well. Some soldiers dashed to fulfill their duties without even noticing that the camouflage on their helmets had caught fire in the barrage of live shells. Those who were on leave of absence promptly returned to their units.

Citizens of Korea,
From now on, the Government will do whatever is required of it without fail.

The Government will establish Armed Forces that live up to their name. We will defend the five West Sea Islands near the northern sea border with a watertight stance against any kind of provocation. We will proactively carry out the defense reform as planned in order to make our Armed Forces even stronger.

Fellow Koreans,
Now is the time we have to demonstrate our determination with actions rather than many words.

I plead with you to have confidence in the Government and the Armed Forces and rally around our cause.

Unity is the best national security measure.

Thank you very much.

The North Korean delegation should be in Beijing in about 12 hours.

Well, as you first reported Vitch, South Korea are really turning up the heat now...

Seoul says military will launch new artillery drills from island targeted last week by neighboring North Korea - AP

ROK says new drills will be held again on Yeonpyeong. #Koreas
2 minutes ago from TweetDeck

I understand the South Korean point of view and i admire the way they have restrained themselves. However holding the same military drills, on the same Island, is pretty dangerous in my honest opinion.

South Korea has every right to hold military drills but, you have to use common sense, and see that this could very well lead to another attack.

South Korean military to resume artillery drills on Island targeted by North Korea a week ago.

Just breaking now on Skynews

AP quoting an #ROK JCS official saying artillery will be fired into waters SW from Yeonpyeong, not toward #DPRK. #Koreas

This does not matter. The South Korea drills on Tuesday, before the shelling, were firing away from North Korea anyway.

The island is well within what North Korea itself views as "it's own territory". South Korea recognises the NLL but North Korea does not. Whether North Korea is right or wrong, they will use this to justify another attack if those drills go ahead.

In many ways South Korea are calling the North's bluff. Something along the lines off "Another attack and it's war... will you really risk that?".

The scary thing is they probably would.

reply to post by jonny2410


You could see this kick off again. This is identical to last week.

Originally posted by jonny2410
Well, as you first reported Vitch, South Korea are really turning up the heat now...

Yep I've been saying this for 2 days now. And it's just breaking?

Now North Korea will arrive in Beijing pretty soon. My guess is that they will ask China if they can fire again in waters near the island/at the military base/at the island (since it's now all military) since this is obviously a provocation.... ask if China will back them up if they do and the South decides to invade.

What will be interesting will be... will the US carrier group still be in the area or back in Japan or even back in the US?

In many ways I would be surprised if NK actually does not attack Yeonpyeong Island if SK go ahead with these new artillery drills.

I mean, if they don't respond to the exact same situation that they did on Tuesday, then it begs the question - Why did they attack in the first place? The only possible explanation for NK to not attack this time would be intimidation. They will look weak.

Looking weak is not something Kim Jong Un will want to look like when he is trying to persuade his military he is a capable leader.

So South Korea are going to fire artillery from the Island again, probably into waters that North Korea deem their own?

Great, seriously wonderful.

I'm sorry, but North Korea are not the only ones doing the provocating.

Those of you who say South Korea's reaction is weak, that they sould have bombed North Korea, what would you rather? War? Because it could be heading that way and it will not be pretty. Lives will be lost, people will be maimed, and towns potentially razed. Please stop appearing as if you're really wishing for that, because that is distasteful.


Apparently, there are journalists that have refused to leave Yeonpyeong Island when ordered to do so by the South Koreans. The fact that the South Koreans have now stated they are going to carry out live fire exercises with their artillery on the island makes me suspicious as to why they were asked to leave. Perhaps the South Koreans did not want their artillery exercises to be known about, so that if the North Koreans respond if South Korean shells land in what they deem their waters once more, the North Koreans will be the ones painted by the South Koreans as being the one doing the provoking when they fire back.

Just to give you a heads-up.... Do not visit the Yonhap website, which is a South Korean media outlet, it's website appears to be carrying computer threats as someone posted earlier, probably as a result of a cyber-attack.

As a precaution, I would suggest you do not visit the North Korean media websites. They may have been infected as well or about to be in retaliation for what's happened to Yonhap.

It appears a small-scale cyber-war is underway on the internet between the Koreas, and I would advise you stay away from websites belonging to both sides for the time being.