Korea: North and South Deterioration

By Douglas V. Gibbs

The sinking of a South Korean warship by a torpedo fired from a North Korean submarine on March 26, killing 46 South Korean sailors, is the straw that broke the camel's back, apparently. Division on the Korean peninsula, which became official after the Korean War sixty years ago that ended with an armistance rather than a peace treaty (which means the war is technically still being waged), and due to recent strife that is at its worst for a decade, has come to a head.

South Korea, in response to a series of aggressive actions by the North Koreans, has taken strong stances against the north that includes cutting off trade and the disallowance of a sea route through South Korean waters. The South has also returned to a propaganda strategy that includes blaring Western music into the North and dropping leaflets by balloon.

As a result of South Korea's actions, North Korea has decided to cut all ties with the South. The move, however, could be costly, considering how important trade with South Korea is to the well-being of the North Korean citizens in the sense of goods from the South.

North Korea has promised punitive measures against the south, and North Korea's 1.2 million strong military is being made ready for combat. While South Korean officials could not immediately confirm the report of moves in the north towards combat readiness, they are prepared to respond by appealing to the U.N. Security Council, in the hopes of resolving the conflict over the sinking of the South Korean warship.

North Korea is already subject to various U.N.-backed sanctions following earlier nuclear and missile tests.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

North Korea Severs All Ties With South - Washington Examiner