S Korea fires warning shots at North soldiers

[yuiyoshida]

Source: JapanToday



SEOUL —

South Korean troops fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers who intruded on the buffer zone marking their heavily armed border, Seoul said Sunday, in the first such skirmish this year.

The incident occurred Saturday morning when 10 North Korean soldiers crossed the border of the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas, which remain technically at war, the South’s defence ministry said.

But the brief intrusion near Cheorwon, northeast of Seoul, triggered no exchange of fire as North Korean soldiers retreated without firing back, it said.

The demilitarised zone, or DMZ, despite its name, is one of the world’s most heavily militarised frontiers, bristling with watchtowers and landmines.

Read more: http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/s-korea-fires-warning-shots-at-north-soldiers

[davidpdx]

1. I'm wondering if they were trying to defect

There have been instances of people making it through the DMZ to South Korea.

[7962]

3. Thats a good point, I wonder if they were carrying weapons? nt

[davidpdx]

5. According to the Korean media, yes

N. Korean soldiers briefly violate border with S. Korea

A group of armed North Korean soldiers crossed the military border into the South and returned to the North instantly after receiving warning shots, a South Korean Army source said Sunday.

"The military sent a warning message and fired warning shots after some 10 North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line near Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, at about 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday," the source said. "The North Korean soldiers were armed and retreated after the warning shots. They didn't fire back."

This marked the first time this year that the South Korean military has fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers for intruding.

In October, soldiers of the two Koreas exchanged fire across the heavily armed border as North Koreans responded to the South's warning shots when they approached the MDL in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. There were no reports of casualties or property damage on both sides.

It was not immediately known what prompted the North Korean soldiers to try to cross the border in Cheorwon, a city located 88 kilometers north of Seoul.

The soldiers are believed to be working to check the state of a sign for the MDL, according to the source.

more at:

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150712000060

[7962]

2. I know this is off topic,

and i really do not want you to feel offended, but if the picture on you posts is one of you, then you are absolutely gorgeous. And your expression is one of someone who just enjoys life.
We may not agree on everything, but on that I feel pretty confident!

Now back ON topic, I just wonder how long NK can continue as the isolated country that it is? It's the 21st century yet they are able to keep people in the dark about the real world after all these years. Its sad and amazing

[yuiyoshida]

4. arigatou.

Thank you.

[davidpdx]

6. They are not as in the dark as you think

There is information getting into North Korea including films, television programs, and products that are smuggled on the black market. Those that have TVs can tamper with the seal and receive broadcasts from South Korea. It is common for refugees to talk about having watched Korean dramas or American movies. One of the more well-known refugees talks about having watched Titanic and how much she loved the movie (I'm sure if James Cameron has ever heard about this he's appreciative of her praise for the movie).

The basic problem is there is not enough energy and unrest to overthrow Kim Jong Un because they fear him. Also people have been known to spy on each other and turn people in for doing "illegal" things (viewing western TV and movies, saying bad things about the government, etc.). China has long protected North Korea, but as of the last decade or so is getting really sick of their antics. Now they are turning to Russia to try to play the two off each other. Russia (aka the USSR) used to be a big supporter of North Korea until they ran into their own problems, but I guess the song of the year is "Reunited" because they are close friends again.

In the larger picture will be what to do when the regime collapses. It will be way more complex than the West/East Germany reunion and will possibly cost trillions of dollars. Will a quasi dictatorship be set up like South Korea had in the 60's and 70's to "manage" these projects (which I'm assuming the Chebols will make a hefty profit from)? How will people be given jobs? So many questions, so few answers.

[7962]

7. All very good questions and points to ponder

I just wonder how many more years of this will go on!