North Korea Attacks South Korea

By Douglas V. Gibbs

The other night I explained how North Korea is approaching collapse, and that Kim Jong Il is desperate. I suggested that there will be a confrontation that may result in a nuclear threat, if not a nuclear attack. Hours after I wrote that piece, North Korea attacked an island within South Korea's maritime border with over 200 artillery shells and missiles, most of them landing on a military base.

The area of the island attacked by North Korea is home to an estimated 1,700 civilian residents. In the attack, two South Korean Marines were killed, at least 19 people were wounded, and more than 60 buildings were on fire. South Korea went into a state of emergency as television footage showed plumes of smoke rising from the island of Yeonpyeong.

South Korea responded by firing about 80 shells of its own.

South Korea called the North's action a "clear military provocation."

Fears of a possible breakdown of the North Korean regime, which might lead to a flood of refugees across the border into China, is urging China to become more involved.

North Korea has recently revealed new nuclear capabilities as their dictatorial leader, Kim Jong Il ages, their economy reaches a critical point, and food becomes more and more scarce.

This is not the last we will be seeing in the sense of confrontations between the two Koreas.

Desperate North Korea - Political Pistachio

North Korea fires artillery at South Korean island of Yeonpyeong - Washington Post

U.S., S. Korea to Stage Military Exercises After N. Korean Attack - Fox News