Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
With US support, SKorea cuts trade with North
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
With US support, SKorea cuts trade with North
By JEAN H. LEE,Associated Press Writer -
Tuesday, May 25
Send
IM Story
Print
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea's president cut trade to North Korea vowing the country would "pay a price" for a torpedo attack that killed 46 sailors, and promised to haul its impoverished neighbor before the U.N. Security Council.
The White House offered its full support for South Korea's moves, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed with China, a veto-wielding permanent seat holder on the Security Council, how best to handle the precarious situation.
North Korea has benefited from trade with South Korea, though not to the point where its economy has become dependent on its rival. Pyongyang's trade with close ally China, for example, is bigger.
"We have always tolerated North Korea's brutality, time and again. We did so because we have always had a genuine longing for peace on the Korean peninsula," President Lee Myung-bak said in a solemn speech to the nation from the halls of the country's War Memorial.
"But now things are different. North Korea will pay a price corresponding to its provocative acts," he said.
Lee also pledged to prohibit North Korea's cargo ships from passing through South Korean waters _ in retaliation for the March 26 sinking.
The South's measures will cost North Korea about $200 million a year, said Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at South Korea's Kyungnam University.
Lee called it a "critical turning point" on the tense Korean peninsula, still technically in a state of war because the fighting ended with a truce, not a peace treaty.
Clinton warned of a "highly precarious" security situation in the region, and said North Korea's neighbors, including Pyongyang ally China, understood the seriousness of the matter.
Clinton would not say whether such action would include new international sanctions against the North, and said she was engaged in intense consultations with China and other nations about the next step.
"We are working hard to avoid an escalation of belligerence and provocation," Clinton said.
So far, China has refrained from criticizing the North, which it supplied with troops during the Korean War.
The sinking of the Cheonan near the Koreas' western maritime border was South Korea's worst military disaster since the three-year Korean War. An international team of investigators said last week that a torpedo fired from a North Korean submarine tore the ship in two.
Pyongyang disputes the maritime border unilaterally drawn by U.N. forces at the close of the war, and the Koreas have fought three bloody skirmishes there, most recently in November.
Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said the U.S. and South Korea would hold anti-submarine military exercises in the waters soon. The U.S. has 28,500 troops in South Korea _ a major sore point for the North.
South Korea's military, on guard to defend the nation from further North Korean aggression, will also resume blaring anti-North Korean propaganda back over the border _ a sensitive practice suspended in 2004 amid warming ties, officials said.
Lee called the sinking of the Cheonan yet another example of "incessant" provocation by communist North Korea, accused in a 1983 attack on a presidential delegation that killed 21 people and the bombing of an airliner in 1987 that claimed 115 lives.
North Korea routinely denies involvement in the attacks, and has steadfastly denied responsibility for the Cheonan sinking. Naval spokesman Col. Pak In Ho warned last week in comments to broadcaster APTN that any move to retaliate or punish Pyongyang would draw "all-out war."
Pyongyang regularly issues belligerent warnings of war if provoked by the South or the U.S.
As Lee spoke Monday, North Korea's main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, called the investigation results an "intolerable, grave provocation" tantamount to a declaration of war. The North Korean military also warned it would open fire at any propaganda loudspeakers installed in the Demilitarized Zone.
"More powerful physical strikes will be taken to eradicate the root of provocation if (South Korea) challenges to our fair response," a commander said, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
One 23-year-old university student in Seoul said she feared war.
"I'm genuinely scared that this will escalate into a full-on war," Do Yoon-hee said as she watched a replay of the president's address on her cell phone. "I don't feel that these countermeasures keep us safer."
Businessman Park Joo-shin, however, doubted fighting would break out again on the Korean peninsula.
"An all-out war would be suicidal for Pyongyang," he said.
The truce prohibits South Korea from waging a unilateral military attack, so Seoul sought Friday to strike at Pyongyang's faltering economy.
Despite their rivalry, Seoul has been North Korea's No. 2 trading partner with $1.68 billion in trade in 2009, according to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.
Imports of sand and other goods will be halted, and North Korean cargo ships will be denied permission to pass through South Korean waters, Unification Minister Hyun In-taek said.
The biggest source of trade _ a joint factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong where some 110 South Korean firms employ about 42,000 North Koreans _ will remain open, Hyun said.
The suspension of imports will deal a "direct blow" to North Korea, the state-run Korea Development Institute said. However, the action needs the backing of global powers such as China to succeed, the think tank report said. Lim predicted the North would make up the loss by finding Chinese partners.
___
Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim, Sangwon Yoon and Kelly Olsen in Seoul and Matthew Lee in Beijing contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Clinton: Koreas security situation 'precarious' AP - 26 minutes ago
Afghans: 7 arrests in deaths of 6 NATO troops AP - 34 minutes ago
With US support, SKorea cuts trade with North AP - 48 minutes ago
Australia expels Israeli embassy official AFP - 58 minutes ago
US presses China on N.Korea as key talks open AFP - 1 hour 19 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
New British government takes axe to spending
Husband of late actress Brittany Murphy found dead
Rescue of Spain bank 'could cost' 2.7 bln euros
BA Heathrow cabin crew strike takes off
Spanish PM vows to stay firm on cuts despite strike threat
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Husband of late actress Brittany Murphy found dead
BA Heathrow cabin crew strike takes off
Tourists take walk on wild side with LA gang tour
Anger mounts as oil blackens Louisiana marshes, beaches
New British government takes axe to spending
More Most Viewed »
Scientists stunned as grey whale sighted off Israel
Lack of sleep linked to early death: study
UN fears 'irreversible' damage to natural environment
Earth may be too hot for humans by 2300: study
Ocean fish could disappear in 40 years: UN
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Monday, 24 May 2010 New Turkish secularist party leader sacks old guard
Fresh appeals lodged in Iraqi election impasse
|
Iran will ditch fuel plan if new sanctions
New Turkish secularist party leader sacks old guard
|
Fresh appeals lodged in Iraqi election impasse
Man sentenced to death in Iraq for Russian killings
|
Iran says U.S. "hikers" spies, proposes prisoner swap
Rebel Nagorno-Karabakh holds parliamentary vote
|
Iran's IAEA envoy says not handed over fuel swap letter
Gunmen torch UN camp for Gaza children
Thai film wins top prize at Cannes
Relatives: 3 Pakistanis innocent in Times Sq. case
Sprint shares could rise on 4G phone: Barron's
|
Thai film takes Cannes top prize
Russia gives U.S. Afghan drugs data, criticises NATO
Yemen cleric urges US army Muslims to kill comrades
Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
US has uphill struggle in key talks with China
Insurgents attack NATO's southern Afghan base
Clinton briefs China on S.Korean warship sinking
Afghan peace conference delayed for 2nd time
Jihadis make their way to Pakistan training areas
South Korea to take ship case to U.N
Thai film surprise winner in Cannes
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Lost fans gear up for series finale
|
Thai film surprise winner in Cannes
French farmers turn Champs Elysees green
Shrek sequel underperforms at box office
|
French rocker Hallyday goes home for medical tests
|
Thai film 'Uncle Boonmee' takes Cannes top prize
France's Juliette Binoche takes Cannes best actress prize
"Lost" fans gear up for series finale
Indonesia's Democratic Party elects new head
"Shrek" sequel underperforms at box office
Darfur rebels say release 63 government soldiers
Putin party embarrassed by local poll debacle
Facebook founder out to fix "a bunch of mistakes"
Two Koreas snarl at each other as tensions rise
|
Syria defies Western pressure over Hezbollah
Britain's coalition sets out plan to cut record deficit
Sprint shares could rise on 4G phone: Barron's
Britain's Duchess of York apologises after paper sting
Thailand maintains growth projections despite riots
|
Man sentenced to death in Iraq for Russian killings
Air passengers face misery as BA strike starts
Dutch to hold first European Somali pirate trial
Spanish PM vows to stay firm on cuts despite strike threat
Jamaica declares emergency in capital after attacks
|
Anger mounts as oil blackens Louisiana marshes, beaches
Australia expels Israeli diplomat over Dubai hit
|
Duchess of York apologizes over newspaper sting
|
Militants attack U.N. Gaza summer camp
|
Iran executes brother of rebel leader Rigi: IRNA
|
South Korea's Lee says to take North to Security Council
|
Jamaica PM vows tough response to gang violence
Bangkok gets back to business after protests
US threatens to take control of BP spill
India PM: "major effort" in Indo-Pakistan talks
Jamaica crackdown: women, children ordered away
India PM hopes for progress on inflation and Pakistan
Lee: NKorea must pay for torpedo attack on warship
India PM: 'trust deficit' in way of Pakistan ties
HK Democrats meet Chinese official for first time
Philippine boxing star Pacquiao hospitalized
Surreal Thai film wins Cannes gold for Asia
Australia moves to expel Israeli diplomat
Tata Motors orders checks on Nanos after fires
Pakistani c.bank sells 12.5 bln rupees of T-bills
WRAPUP 4-Two Koreas snarl at each other, tensions rise
Seoul shares turn up on steelmakers, shipyards
Hu says China to hold firm on yuan policy
Reliance, RNRL shares up after Ambanis call truce
Bargain hunting drives Asia stocks higher
China presses US to end tech export controls
"Robin Hood" holds on to No. 1 overseas
China backs exchange rate reforms but no timetable
The undead live on through George Romero
PAKISTAN
Ailing rocker Bret Michaels wins "Celebrity Apprentice"
Thai Cannes winner steeped in spiritualism
Gumbo, oyster delicacies could be next victims of oil slick
Indonesian worker bitten by Komodo dragon
Hemp backers try to escape shadow of marijuana
Rolling Stones return to top of album chart
3-D Shrek knocks Iron Man off North American box office top spot
Lost leaves fans with still more questions
|
Ailing rocker Bret Michaels wins Celebrity Apprentice
|
The undead live on through George Romero
|
Thai Cannes winner steeped in spiritualism
|
Robin Hood holds on to No. 1 overseas
|
Lindsay Lohan back in LA for Monday court showdown
|
Iran outlines nuclear fuel swap plan to U.N. watchdog
Rescue of Spain bank 'could cost' 2.7 bln euros
Iran notifies UN nuclear watchdog of fuel deal
Iran urges skeptical powers to accept atom swap offer
|
US-TECH Summary
Flights misery as BA cabin crew launch strike
Iran hands over response to fuel deal to IAEA
Samsung, Sony chiefs may discuss 3D TV deals, LCD supplies
Japanese team discovers 'super disc' material
Iran executes brother of Sunni rebel leader Rigi
BP Reveals Less Oil Is Being Siphoned Than Reported
Large fire breaks out in Myanmar market complex
|
Museums Salute Military Families With Free Admission
Man Falls Off Cliff Trying To Grab Cell Phone
Slovak opposition KDH bets on right-wing coalition
|
Trial Begins Of Chicago Cop Accused Of Torture
Arctic Sea Ice Melt Parallels 2007 Record Low Level
Israel denies report on nuclear arms sale offer
|
Three Dead, 3 Injured In Freeway Collisions In Southern California
Ethiopia's Meles expected to win election
|
Report: Childhood Mortality Rates Declining
EU aid to Palestinians may shrink if talks fail
|
Bret Michaels Wins Celebrity Apprentice
Afghans: 7 arrests in deaths of 6 NATO troops
Harvey Milk Day Celebrated 32 Years After His Death
Li displeased despite French Open first round win
Yemen tribesmen kidnap US couple
Samsung, Sony chiefs may discuss 3D TV deals, LCD supplies
Djou Becomes First Republican To Win Honolulu Congressional Seat In 20 Years
HK Democrats meet Chinese official for first time
With US support, SKorea cuts trade with North
Thailand maintains growth projections despite riots
Philippines' Aquino not ready to quit smoking
Nokia and Yahoo in maps, e-mail deal
|
S.Korea cuts trade, sea lanes with North
Samsung, Sony chiefs may discuss 3D TV deals, LCD supplies
|
US presses China on N.Korea as key talks open
Fire rages at major market in Yangon in Myanmar
Pakistan keeps policy rate unchanged at 12.5 percent
GM China joint venture to boost capacity 50% by 2012
Pakistan keeps policy rate unchaged at 12.5 pct
China, US open trade-focused talks
Nissan Motors to sell Micra in India
SK Energy to run lower-emission cracker from Oct
Cannes 2010 awards ceremony
Thai economy grows but unrest to crimp expansion
Boring or beautiful? Cannes winner splits critics
Afghan farmers at war's epicentre play both sides
Brittany Murphy's husband found dead in Los Angeles
|
Boring or beautiful? Cannes winner splits critics
|
Jessica Simpson wins ban on exercise video
|
Serbia dreams of becoming movie hotspot
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights