This weekend, the U.S. and South Korea were playing war games which caused North Korea to threaten a “physical response”. Earlier this year, North Korea sunk a South Korean warship and also has a nuclear program that are both expected to hurt the North Korean economy.
North Korea considers exercises from U.S. ‘grave threat’
North Korea issued its threats as about 8,000 military personnel from the U.S. and South Korea gear up for joint military exercises beginning this weekend. Ri Tong Il was reported by CNN to call these exercises “another example of a hostile policy” against North Korea. The entire Asian region will probably be hurt by this as outlined by Ri Tong Il. From July 25 to July 28 the military plans to run the “Invincible Spirit” exercise.
Military completes exercises to respond to Cheonan sinking
It was already just a little stressful being in the Korean region, but the exercises being done by the military are making it a little more stressful. The newest threat has come just four months after the Cheonan sinking which killed 46 sailors, reports the Associated Press. North Korea is denying playing any part although an investigation shows otherwise. Now we see North Korea’s familiar belligerence, and also the U.S. has decided that there will be no more talks with the north.
Shady leaders targeted with North Korean sanctions
Hilary Clinton announced a program that will deny goods and funding to North Korea. 200 North Korean bank accounts connected to nuclear weapons development, drug trafficking and counterfeiting can be sanctioned, reports the Guardian. The Chosun Ilbo reports that Kim Jong-il may have put a $4 billion slush fund in accounts in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.
Everyone in North Korea is concerned
North Korea is threatening violence toward U.S./South Korean military exercises as it becomes increasingly desperate. Voice of America reports that North Korea is already suffering from poor harvests, a manufacturing slump, U.S. sanctions and a reduction of international aid. Some are worried that a famine like the one within the 1960’s that killed thousands, might occur once more in North Korea. Intense famine could lead the North Korean government to respond with harsher restrictions on the already destitute masses in one of the world’s poorest, most isolated nations.
More details on this topic
CNN
cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/23/north.korea.threat/index.html?npt=NP1
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/23/north-korea-threatens-physical-response
Voice of America
voanews.com/english/news/Sanctions-Expected-to-Harm-North-Korean-Economy-99090344.html?refresh=1
