Seoul ( AsiaNews) - North Korea is believed to be creating a crisis situation on the Korean Peninsula by raising tensions near the western maritime border. We consider that the North's announcement contains hostile intentions". This is the commentary issued by Seoul's Ministry of Defense spokesman, Colonel Wong Wi-seop, on the resumption of the North's military "exercises" near the western border and the announcement it is "ready" for a fourth nuclear test.
Pyongyang began military exercises near the border this morning (see photo) and has launched several pieces of artillery in the waters of the Northern Line, which flows into the Yellow Sea. In response, the South fired dozens of K-9 rockets and has sent its F-15 jets to fly over the area. In addition, Seoul has ordered the temporary evacuation of the inhabitants of the islet of Baengnyeong, near the target area.
The North Korean military exercises, which follow a week of missile launches, both short and medium-range missiles, have been anticipated by the Korean People's Army southwestern Command, which sent a fax to the second fleet of the South Korean Navy to announce the launch of artillery pieces . The fax reads: "North Korea demanded South Korea control its vessels in seven regions north of the NLL before it holds the live-fire drills. We have banned vessels from entering the training zone for the safety of residents and sailors".
Despite this warning, the missile launches and the threat of a new nuclear test suggest a planned escalation of tension by Pyongyang, which yesterday accused the UN Security Council of ""provoking" Pyongyang by criticizing the missile launch". The United Nations had in fact asked the Kim Jong-un regime to immediately stop firing rockets "or face new sanctions." In response, the North clarified that "we would not rule out a new form of nuclear test for bolstering up our nuclear deterrence".