South Koreans stopped their cars, donned gas masks and ducked into underground shelters in the country’s biggest-ever evacuation drill, a government attempt to prepare traditionally indifferent citizens for possible new attacks by North Korea.
General Walter Sharp (Korea/U.S. Forces Commander):
“North Korea poses a significant threat to the northeast Asia region as it continues to pursue nuclear and ballistic missile efforts.”
Kathleen Stephens (U.S> Ambassador to South Korea):
“It is critically important that China continue play a strong role in making clear to North Korea that there are consequences for its actions.”
The U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was visiting Seoul Wednesday, to show solidarity after North Korea’s attack on Yeonpyeong Island. Admiral Mike Mullen said he was frustrated with China’s unwillingess to rein in Pyongyang.
Regarding North Koriea, Admiral Mullen said, “I do not believe we should continue to reward that behavior with bargaining or new incentives. China has unique influence. Therefore they bear unique responsibility.”
Protesters in South Korea shot mock guns at pictures of Kim Jong-il. Others protested war and warned against partnering with the U.S. because it riles up North Korea.
International tensions and growing diplomacy are both evident in the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
One week ago, North Korea shelled a South Korean island in a long-disputed sea border area. China is asking for talks, but South Korea has been cool to the proposal.
North Korea has threatened to be merciless if U.S.-South Korean exercises get two close to its territory.
North Korea was estimated to have fired about 20 shells as part of a training exercise on Friday. Blasts were heard several times in Yeonpyeong from the inland area of Gaemori, North Korea, between 12:20 p.m. and a little past 3 p.m. No rounds fell on South Korean territory or in the territorial waters of South Korea.
The firing came as South Korea and U.S. officials were touring damaged buildings in Yeonpyeong, and as the United States moved armaments and personnel to the Yellow Sea for a joint naval drill set to start tomorrow.
North Korea has warned that a planned joint US and South Korean military drills are pushing the NOKO/SOKO peninsula to the brink of war.
Pundits say that North Korea practices expertise in ‘brinkmanship’ to get what it wants at the negotiation table.
The South Korean president Lee Myung-bak ordered reinforcements for about 4,000 troops on Yeonpyeong and four other Yellow Sea islands after he fired Defense Minister Kim Tae-young.
Top-level weaponry is newly provided for the soldiers and upgraded rules of engagement that would create a new category of response when civilian areas are targeted.
USS Washington CVN-73 left a naval base south of Tokyo on Wednesday morning and is scheduled to join exercises with South Korea from Sunday to the following Wednesday
The U.S.S. George Washington has left its home port and is sailing to the Korean Peninsula. The Aircraft Carrier, with 75 fighter aircraft and 6000 Sailors and U.S. Marines will be participating in exercises in the region. The Pentagon says that the exercises were planned prior to yesterday’s artillery attack on South Korea.
President Barack Obama had replied to the attact that the United States is an ally of the United State and would protect South Korea — basically stated an attack on South Korea is an attack on the United States.
USS George Washington (CVN 73) is an American nuclear-powered supercarrier, the sixth ship in the Nimitz class and the fourth United States Navy ship to be named after George Washington, first President of the United States. She was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and was commissioned 4 July 1992.
China expressed discontent with the United States aircraft carrier group heading toward the region.
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Photograph file is a work of a sailor or employee of the U.S. Navy, taken or made during the course of the person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.
North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire Tuesday morning along the border between the two countries. The communist nation North Korea warned of more military strikes if the South encroaches on the maritime border by “even 0.001 millimeter.”
The 60-minute skirmish began when North Korea warned the South to halt military drills near their sea border, according to South Korean officials. Seoul refused and began firing artillery into disputed waters — but away from the North Korean shore. North Korea retaliated by shelling the small island of Yeonpyeong, which South Korean military installations and a small civilian population are located. Two South Korean marines were killed in the shelling that also injured 15 troops and three civilians. Houses were set ablaze by the shelling.
UPDATE: Four South Koreans – two marines and two civilians – were killed in the skirmish on Tuesday by artillery on Yeonpyeong.
FORMATION TRAINING – Three U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 30 aircraft from the 80th Fighter Squadron fly in formation over South Korea during a training mission, Jan. 9, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Quinton T. Burris.
Image is a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee, taken or made during the course of the person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image or file is in the public domain.
