ID :
45591
Sat, 02/14/2009 - 13:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/45591
The shortlink copeid
N Korea exposes more arms, increases training near sea border with S. Korea By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has unmasked a greater number of its coastline artillery and stepped up its drills near a fragile western sea border with South Korea, a source said Friday.
North Korea said last month it was scrapping all military agreements with South
Korea, warning of an armed clash in the Yellow Sea where two naval clashes turned
bloody in 1999 and 2002.
Pyongyang claims the border -- known as the Northern Limit Line (NLL) drawn by
the U.S.-led United Nations command at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War --
should be drawn further south.
"The number of coastline artillery exposed to our view has increased near the
NLL," the source said, declining to be identified because the information is
classified.
"But we don't see it as a sign of immediate provocation," the source said, adding
the North has bolstered the training of its troops in the area.
The relations between the Koreas remain at one of their lowest levels since the
Korean War ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty.
After taking office early last year, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has
professed a tougher stance on North Korea, and Pyongyang has reacted bitterly.
Intelligence reports have suggested that the communist state is preparing to
test-fire a long-range missile from its east coast in an apparent attempt to grab
the attention of U.S. President Barack Obama.
Obama has yet to map out his North Korea policy, and analysts say the North could
be stoking tension on the divided peninsula to move itself up the list of his
foreign policy priorities.
North Korea said Thursday through its official media that its leader Kim Jong-il
visited an artillery unit with his recently appointed top military commanders,
considered hawkish by outside experts. The unit's location was unidentified.
The North's long- and short-range artillery poses one of the greatest armed
threats, the top U.S. commander in South Korea said Monday.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
North Korea said last month it was scrapping all military agreements with South
Korea, warning of an armed clash in the Yellow Sea where two naval clashes turned
bloody in 1999 and 2002.
Pyongyang claims the border -- known as the Northern Limit Line (NLL) drawn by
the U.S.-led United Nations command at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War --
should be drawn further south.
"The number of coastline artillery exposed to our view has increased near the
NLL," the source said, declining to be identified because the information is
classified.
"But we don't see it as a sign of immediate provocation," the source said, adding
the North has bolstered the training of its troops in the area.
The relations between the Koreas remain at one of their lowest levels since the
Korean War ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty.
After taking office early last year, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has
professed a tougher stance on North Korea, and Pyongyang has reacted bitterly.
Intelligence reports have suggested that the communist state is preparing to
test-fire a long-range missile from its east coast in an apparent attempt to grab
the attention of U.S. President Barack Obama.
Obama has yet to map out his North Korea policy, and analysts say the North could
be stoking tension on the divided peninsula to move itself up the list of his
foreign policy priorities.
North Korea said Thursday through its official media that its leader Kim Jong-il
visited an artillery unit with his recently appointed top military commanders,
considered hawkish by outside experts. The unit's location was unidentified.
The North's long- and short-range artillery poses one of the greatest armed
threats, the top U.S. commander in South Korea said Monday.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
