(EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Jan. 30)

dailies-editorials (3)



North???s tricks won't work

North Korea has raised sea tensions again, firing barrages of artillery shells on
Wednesday and Thursday near waters of the maritime border between the two Koreas.

The shells fell in the waters north of the Northern Limit Line on the
peninsula???s west coast, just shy of South Korean waters. A day prior, North
Korea declared two ???no-sail??? zones - firing zones for missile or artillery
drills - near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea. These zones include South
Korean waters and will be in effect until March 29.
It is the first time the North has included South Korean waters in
self-proclaimed no-sail zones since the U.S.-led United Nations forces designated
the sea border after the Korean War ended in a truce in 1953. The North so far
doesn???t acknowledge the maritime demarcation line and has attempted incursions
on several occasions that sometimes ended in deadly skirmishes.
North Korea???s renewed military provocation could stem from several factors. The
North may be trying to make a territorial claim on the west coast as a part of
its military strategy. It may be seeking to stretch its naval boundaries. But it
has misjudged if it thinks it can shove South Korean naval forces out. The NLL
has been drawn to enhance military trust and peace between the two Koreas and it
will be of no effect if one side unilaterally disregards it.
North Korea habitually sends patrol ships to fire on or threaten our Navy. It is
thereby worsening prospects to find common ground on the disputed sea border. The
country will only enrage South Koreans and solidify their determination to defend
their sea line.
Some believe North Korea has returned to its belligerent self to regain public
attention as the international community remains largely unimpressed by its call
for peace treaty talks with the United States and the lifting of UN sanctions as
a condition to its return to the six-party talks on nuclear dismantlement. That
strategy has been tried too often. It cannot persuade Washington and other
concerned members that it is ready for a peace treaty to officially end the war
while intensifying military tensions at the same time.
North Korea may be vainly and desperately seeking attention from Washington and
Seoul to pursue talks with Pyongyang. But neither Washington nor Seoul will play
along with the North???s habitual resort to military tensions and clashes to get
attention and a negotiating edge.
Whatever the motive, the government???s counteraction should be stern yet
appropriate. We must not be swept away by North Korea???s attempt to create
tension and instability. At the same time, the military should take immediate,
tough steps to defend the NLL. Authorities are facing a strategically difficult
situation, where they must maintain a strong position while having the wisdom and
courage to engage when necessary. The public must understand the intricacy of the
times and be calm and supportive. We also must prevent ourselves from falling
prey to excessive anxiety or indifference.
(END)

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