update: this is a good review of the situation as well: link.
If you have heard anything in the news about the two Koreas don't worry. In fact that is what this article is saying.
There are several islands that are disputed in ownership near the border of North Korea (map). There have been several confrontations in that area over the years (link, link, link) including one yesterday.
This is the main Wikipedia page covering the event. It keeps getting updated as information gets clearer. What it looks like happened is the South did a planned military drill that the North said not to do, the North decided to 'defend itself' (official North media) by firing 100~200+ rounds of artillery into the disputed area killing a few people and unsettling fears in everyone else. South Korea did fire their own artillery in response and the damage is unknown.
One of the artillery hits can be seen in his video.
The US Embassy here issued an update:
This warden message is being issued in response to reports of North Korean artillery firing into the Northwest Islands (Yeonpyeong-do) off the coast of the Republic of Korea the afternoon of November 23, 2010. This artillery exchange was isolated to the Northwest Island area of the Republic of Korea and ceased as of 3:30 p.m. The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation. Should the security situation change, the Embassy will update this warden message.
The timing matches with Kim Jung-un, successor of Kim Jong -il, demonstrating his military power. This could also be another sword rattling for future food aid as conditions get worse in the North. This also matches the timing of the North showing off their nuclear capabilities to US scientists.
And I'll end with pretty pictures of the DMZ and links to the best expat blog about the South which will post way more than I ever will.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)