North Korea Declares Semi-State Of War

Kim Jong Un of North Korea ordered a “semi state of war” following an exchange of artillery between the two countries along the border. Kim ordered troops to be fully armed and prepared for combat, which increased tensions along the demilitarized zone.

Kim also called for a meeting with the highest military body of the country. On Thursday afternoon, the North fired twice across the border. South Korea replied with its own artillery barrage that did not result to any casualties. However, North Korea denied they fired into South Korea.

Tensions have increased along the DMZ, which connects the two Koreas. On August 4, two South Korean soldiers were injured by land mines that Seoul said was laid by the North. Pyongyang said they had no role in the blasts.

After South Korean broadcasted propaganda through loudspeakers at the DMZ and the start of the annual joint US-South Korean military exercises, Pyongyang threatened “indiscriminate attacks,” which caused relations to deteriorate further.

Teneo Intelligence senior adviser Victor Cha said North Korea may likely follow through with its threats of military action if the broadcasts of the South are not stopped by the end of the week. The actions are consistent with the pattern of actions between the two Koreas before the start of the annual military drills.

Semi State Of War Declared By The North - image credit: theguradian.com

A similar “state of war” declaration was made by the North during the military exercises between the US and South Korea in 2013, which came one month after a third nuclear test conducted by the North. A South Korean island was shelled by the North in 2010, which resulted to the death of two civilians and two marines. Last year, ships from the two Koreas fired warning shots against each other in the Yellow Sea.

Pyongyang threatened new military action on Thursday against the South unless the propaganda broadcasts are stopped and the loudspeakers are removed within forty-eight hours. However, Seoul said it will not stop its broadcasts. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of Seoul raised the alert level of the South Korean military to its highest level. It also said they were prepared for a “stern response” against any provocation from the North.

Presidential spokeswoman Chun Hye Ran said President Park Geun Hye of South Korea is taking the situation with the North seriously and cancelled all appointments for Friday.

The two Koreas are technically still in a state of war after over six decades. North Korea may be defeated in a war with South Korea, but the threats made by the North increased concerns that any miscalculation may spark off a clash. Kim Jong Un and his family are revered in the North, which has an adverse reaction to any propaganda insulting their leader. A number of purges were conducted by Kim in recent years to secure his power after taking up the mantle of leadership nearly four years ago.

After over six decades of civil war between the two Korea that ended with a stalemate, troops from both sides are still stationed along the DMZ. Over 28,000 American troops are currently stationed in South Korea to guard against any invasion by North Korea.

Posted by James Fried on Friday August 21 2015, 11:04 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0