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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Defense Chief Warns of More N. Korean Provocations |
| 2011-03-01 |
| South Korea is preparing for further North Korean provocations during the annual Seoul-Washington military drills starting Monday, Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said Friday. Kim told parliament that the North could attempt provocations amid the Seoul-Washington military drills, dubbed "Key Resolve and Foal Eagle" which will last until March 10, so the South Korean military is fully ready for dealing with a variety of possible provocations. But the military believes that the chances are slim of direct, targeted firing attacks at areas where leaflet-carrying balloons are released, despite a threat from North Korea. "The North won't be able to attack Imjingak Pavilion" south of the demilitarized zone "because it would cause greater repercussions than its artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island and invite concentrated artillery fire from the South," a military source said. But the military thinks the North could fire at South Korean loudspeakers along the DMZ. It has apparently been training to do so since June last year, even though the South has not made good a promise to resume propaganda broadcasts through them. The military is preparing for various scenarios including surprise attack on islands or the capital area, firing of medium- and long-range missiles, a third nuclear test, provocations in the DMZ, terror attacks on major cities and South Korean workers at the Kaesong Industrial Estate being taken hostage. Gen. Walter Sharp, the commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, also recently warned about possible North Korean provocations in the Kaesong industrial park and the joint security area. |
| Posted by:Steve White |