North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has ordered his frontline troops to be ready for a state of war against South Korea. North Korea has threatened both South Korea and the United States with fierce military rhetorics in the past, however, tension between the two Korean states are at an all time high.
South Korea blamed the Pyongyang government for the injury of two soldiers by a landmine planted in the demilitarized zone. This resulted in South Korea blasting anti-propaganda via loudspeakers which was banned by both governments in 2004. North Korea also resumed its broadcast of anti-South propaganda.
In protest of the loudspeakers, North Korea began shellings soon after as tension rose between the western border. The South responded with artillery fire. South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that satellite imagery shows North Korea moving missiles in preparation for possible launch.
The United States have mobilized troops along the North-South Korea border as a result of the growing tension between the two.
“The United States remains steadfast in its commitments to the defense and its allies, and we will continue to coordinate closely with the ROK (Republic of Korea).”
China has also stepped in to quell the situation between the Korean states urging restraints from both governments.
China’s top envoy to Seoul called on both Koreas Friday to exercise restraint and resolve their dispute through diplomatic relations. “I hope both the South and North exercise restraint,” Amb. Qiu Guohong said when asked for the Chinese government’s position on recent tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
“I hope they resolve their dispute through dialogue, not confrontation. We oppose unilateral provocation from any side. We would like the South and the North to autonomously achieve a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation.”
The United Nations has also issued a statement about its serious concern about North Korea’s declaration of war. UN spokeswoman Eri Kaneko said, “we are closely following the developments with serious concern, and we will revert as the situation evolves.”
Will the conflict between South and North Korea escalate into another Korean War?
[Image via tiscali.it ]