(EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Jan. 28)

N.K's true intentions

South Korea and North Korea exchanged artillery shots along the Northern Limit
Line yesterday, just three days after North Korea's declaration of no-sail zones
along the de-facto maritime border.

The North fired artillery toward the NLL yesterday morning, which landed within
its waters. The South responded with artillery shots from a Marine base on
Baengnyeong Island, the South Korean military said. Both sides fired into the
water and there are no reports of injuries or damage to property.
On Monday, Pyongyang said no-sail zones would be in effect through March 29 in
areas that overlap the NLL. The South Korean government immediately put its
military on high alert against possible provocation by the North and yesterday's
prompt response by the military demonstrated our defense readiness, which should
act as deterrence against further aggressions by the North.
No-sail zones are not new. In the past, North Korean missile test firings were
preceded by similar bans.
However, the latest no-sail zones differ from previous ones in that they have
been set along the de-facto maritime border disputed by the North. Until now,
no-sail zones had been set further within North Korean territorial waters.
North Korea, which does not recognize the NLL, has been taking measures aimed at
nullifying the de-facto maritime border drawn up by the U.N. Command at the end
of the Korean War.
Last month, Pyongyang unilaterally declared a "peacetime firing zone" in an area
just south of the NLL, an act clearly aimed at nullifying the NLL. In November,
the two Koreas briefly exchanged gunfire in the area. In 1999 and 2002, bloody
naval skirmishes took place in the same area. Military analysts speculate that
the no-sail zone may be yet another North Korean effort to render the NLL null
and void.
Pyongyang may also be trying to draw the attention of Seoul and Washington as it
tries to start talks on economic cooperation with Seoul and peace treaty
negotiations with Washington. So far, the two allies have appeared nonchalant
toward North Korean overtures, insisting that the communist state return to the
six-party nuclear disarmament talks first.
The North Korean leadership should realize that proposing talks and at the same
time conducting militarily provocative acts is not acceptable behavior. Rather
than act like a child throwing temper tantrums to get what he wants, Pyongyang
should demonstrate its sincerity about engaging in dialogue by being consistent.
Bad behavior is not going to get North Korea what it wants. It knows it. It is
the message that the Lee Myung-bak administration and the United States has been
sending to the North. North Korea should refrain from all actions that heighten
tension on the Korean Peninsula if it wants to be taken seriously.
(END)

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