Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
SKorea resumes psychological warfare with NKorea
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
SKorea resumes psychological warfare with NKorea
By HYUNGJIN KIM,Associated Press Writer -
Wednesday, May 26
Send
IM Story
Print
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea blared propaganda broadcasts into North Korea on Tuesday after a six-year halt and Pyongyang said its troops were bracing for war as tensions spiked on the divided peninsula over the sinking of a warship.
One Seoul-based monitoring agency reported that North Korea's leader ordered its 1.2 million-member military to get ready for combat after South Korea blamed the North for a March 26 torpedo strike that sank the warship Cheonan and killed 46 sailors. South Korean officials could not immediately confirm the report.
The South's restarting of psychological warfare operations _ including radio broadcasts into the North and placing loudspeakers at the border to blast out propaganda _ were among measures the government announced Monday to punish Pyongyang. The South is also slashing trade and denying permission to North Korean cargo ships to pass through South Korean waters.
A team of international investigators concluded last week that a torpedo from a North Korean submarine tore apart the Cheonan. The sinking was one of the South's worst military disasters since the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
The North flatly denies involvement and has warned such retaliation would mean war. It has threatened to destroy any propaganda facilities installed at the heavily militarized border.
On Tuesday, the North's military claimed dozens of South Korean navy ships violated the countries' disputed western sea border earlier this month and threatened to take "practical" military measures in response, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
South Korea's military had no immediate response other than to say that North Korea routinely makes similar accusations.
North Korea is already subject to various U.N.-backed sanctions following earlier nuclear and missile tests. The latest steps announced by Seoul were seen as among the strongest it could take short of military action.
The U.S. has thrown its full support behind South Korea's moves and they are planning two major military exercises off the Korean peninsula in a display of force intended to deter future aggression by North Korea, the White House said. The U.S. has 28,500 troops in South Korea.
South Korea also wants to bring North Korea before the U.N. Security Council over the sinking. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday he expects the council to take action against North Korea, but China _ North Korea's main ally and a veto-wielding council member _ has so far done little but urge calm on all sides.
In Beijing, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she had "very productive and very detailed" discussions with Chinese officials but could not say if any progress had been made in convincing the Chinese to back U.N. action.
"No one is more concerned about peace and stability in this region as the Chinese," she told reporters. "We know this is a shared responsibility, and in the days ahead we will work with the international community and our Chinese colleagues to fashion an effective, appropriate response."
Chinese State Counselor Dai Bingguo, speaking at a news conference with Clinton, called for "relevant parties" to "calmly and properly handle the issue and avoid escalation of tension."
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev talked with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday and said he "understands well" about South Korea's moves and will try to give an "appropriate signal" to North Korea over the sinking, according to Lee's office.
As part of its propaganda offensive, South Korea's military resumed radio broadcasts airing Western music, news and comparisons between the South and North Korean political and economic situation late Monday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The military also planned to launch propaganda leaflets by balloon and other methods on Tuesday night to inform North Koreans about the ship sinking.
In coming weeks, South Korea also will install dozens of loudspeakers and towering electronic billboards along the heavily armed land border to send messages urging communist soldiers to defect to the South. The North warned Monday it would fire at any propaganda facilities installed in the Demilitarized Zone.
On Tuesday, North Korean state media cited the powerful National Defense Commission as saying the North's soldiers and reservists were bracing to launch a "sacred war" against South Korea.
North Korea often issues fiery rhetoric and regularly vows to wage war against South Korea and the U.S. It put its army on high alert following a November sea battle with South Korea near where the Cheonan went down in March. The Koreas also fought bloody maritime skirmishes in the disputed area in 1999 and 2002.
Seoul-based North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity said Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il last week ordered his military to get ready for combat.
The group, citing unidentified sources in North Korea, said the order was read by Gen. O Kuk Ryol, a Kim confidant, and broadcast on speakers installed in each house and major public sites throughout the country last Thursday, hours after the multinational report blaming Pyongyang for the sinking was issued in Seoul.
The South Korean military said they had no indication of unusual activity by North Korea's military.
On Tuesday, the presidential Blue House said officials were reviewing whether South Korea should resume calling North Korea its "main enemy" in formal defense documents for the first time in six years.
In downtown Seoul, about 30 conservative activists burned North Korean flags and ripped up photos of Kim Jong Il.
___
Associated Press writers Sangwon Yoon in Seoul and Matthew Lee in Beijing, and AP photographer Jin-man Lee in Seoul contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
N.Korea says to sever all ties with S.Korea AFP - 33 minutes ago
Police in NW Pakistan stop transgender wedding AP - 34 minutes ago
NKorea severs all ties with rival SKorea AP - 51 minutes ago
North Korea severs all ties with South Korea AP - 1 hour 27 minutes ago
North Korea threatens military action in disputed waters Reuters - 2 hours 14 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Bono out of hospital after temporary 'paralysis'
Dow Jones index plunges over 250 points at open
Iran film-maker Panahi free from prison: wife
BP hatches 'top kill' bid to plug oil leak
World stocks and euro slump on eurozone, Korea fears
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Husband of late actress Brittany Murphy found dead
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
Fears grow that banks could send euro crisis global
Cash-for-access row only latest to hit British royal
S.Korea urges China to help punish N.Korea
More Most Viewed »
Scientists stunned as grey whale sighted off Israel
UN fears 'irreversible' damage to natural environment
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
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 Tuesday, 25 May 2010 IMF warns on weak Spanish growth, Madrid takes more measures
Gunmen kill Iraqi who won parliamentary seat
Twitter bans outside advertising in tweet stream
Obama Proposes Bill to Cut Out "Unnecessary" Budget Items
Shakira, Pitbull, R. Kelly Headline 2010 Official FIFA World Cup Album
Cash-for-access row only latest to hit British royal
Nokia and team up on maps, email
Israeli minister attacked in Jerusalem
Study: Mainstream Media Slow To Pick Up Content From Blogs
Lohan ordered to wear tag, submit to drug tests
Britain's Tony Blair teams with green investment group
Psychologist Says Deerfield Beach Teen Suffered From PTSD
Google reveals revenue splits with websites
Bomb hits Afghan bus, kills five civilians
Muslim American Cleric Awlaki Issues New Threats
Husband of late actress Brittany Murphy found dead
US-TECH Summary
Yemen opposition lauds amnesty but skeptical
|
Coast Guard Rescues Five From Sinking Vessel Off Florida Coast
Facebook CEO: privacy controls "missed the mark"
Gunmen kill Iraqi who won parliamentary seat: police
|
Campbell Soup Co. Q1 Profit Dips On Charges, Sales Improve
Wynonna Judd Releases Exclusive Album, Products To Cracker Barrel Stores
Nokia and join forces for PC, mobile web services
True Blood Giving Ultimate Fan Experience In Select Theaters
Burundi starts vote-counting in district polls
|
New Pussycat Dolls Line-Up Revealed
Apple's Jobs to give keynote at developers conference
Israeli minister attacked in Jerusalem
|
Facebook 'missed the mark' on privacy: founder
Nokia and team up on maps, email
US-TECH Summary
Nokia and join forces for PC, mobile web services
Afghans: 7 arrests in deaths of 6 NATO troops
More US troops in Afghanistan than Iraq: Pentagon
Two Koreas snarl at each other
Facebook CEO: privacy controls missed the mark
|
WRAPUP 9-Two Koreas snarl at each other, tensions rise
China taking tough line as dialogue with US begins
Turkmens set to start work on new gas pipeline
'Pink Hitler' poster upsets Sicilians
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Sean Hayes to host Broadway's Tony Awards
Japan coach keeps job after loss to South Korea
Lohan fitted with alcohol monitoring device
Jessica Simpson wins ban on exercise video
Bold or boring? Press splits over Thai Cannes winner
Brittany Murphy's husband found dead in Los Angeles
Li, Nishikori lead Asian charge at French Open
Serbia dreams of becoming movie hotspot
Museum honours forger who stung it for a fortune
With US support, SKorea cuts trade with North
Youngest Everest climber wants others to 'go big'
As Thai monarchy's power wanes, king still revered
Police: Bomb kills 2 in southwestern Pakistan
Clinton: Koreas security situation 'precarious'
Sean Hayes to host Broadway's Tony Awards
|
KISS unveils Hottest Show on Earth tour of U.S.
|
Prosecutors seek 10-year jail for militant suspect
Iran nuclear deal has technical flaw: experts
Mauritanian court to rule on killing of French tourists
North Korea ready to fight if attacked: report
|
Canon to freeze development of home-use SED TVs
Fresh BA cabin crew strike takes off
No LCD deal from Samsung, Sony meeting: report
Nokia and Yahoo forge maps and e-mail deal
Four killed as Jamaicans clash over drug lord
|
Lawmakers eye communications law revamp
Ne-Yo To Release "Beautiful Monster" From Upcoming Fourth Album
Fears grow that banks could send euro crisis global
Pac-Man play to stay at Google
Police question Israel's Olmert in bribery probe
|
U.S. Markets Dip As Spain Adds To European Debt Concerns
Focus on content as AOL marks 25th birthday
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
Yemeni tribesmen kidnap U.S. couple near Sanaa
|
Fed Not Likely To Sell Assets Until After Rate Hike
Small Intel chips add muscle to ultra-thin laptops
IBM buys Sterling Commerce from AT&T for 1.4 billion dollars
Black box of crashed Air India plane found
|
Tanker and bulk carrier collide off Singapore
|
US-TECH Summary
No LCD deal from Samsung, Sony meeting: report
Nokia and Yahoo forge maps and e-mail deal
Small Intel chips add muscle to ultra-thin laptops
Covert U.S. operations authorized in secret order
UN expert condemns Papua New Guinea torture
US slams BP, but awaits latest bid to plug oil leak
Australia minister attacks 'creepy' Google in Web row
Obama, Congress reach deal on gays in military
Seoul resumes psychological warfare with Pyongyang
'Black box' recovered from India plane crash
Chinese envoy holds Seoul talks amid tensions
Officials say asylum seeker boat could have sunk
US admiral critiques military ties with China
China, US wrap up key talks on economy, N.Korea
Floods kill 115 in southern China
Microsoft to shake up phone, Xbox unit: report
|
No LCD deal from Samsung, Sony meeting: report
|
Lawmakers eye communications law revamp
|
buys mobile phone networking firm Koprol
Canon to freeze development of home-use SED TVs
|
Australia banknote scandal widens: report
Taiwan stocks post 9-mth closing low; Hon Hai sinks
S.Korea won falls 2.8 pct; worst day in 14 mths
Seoul shares post 15-wk closing low; N.Korea weighs
Standard Chartered's India offering opens
S.Korea seen selling dlrs again to lift won-dealers
Prudential chairman confident in AIA deal
Romania's homeless given a chance by recycling computers
KOREA MARKETS-Stocks, won dive on worsening conflict with North
South Korean markets jolted by tensions with the North
Jack Bauer turns fugitive on final "24"
Singer Christina Aguilera cancels summer tour
Bloody finale ends groundbreaking '24' show
Bassist with metal band Slipknot dies in Iowa
Two U.S. Hikers Jailed In Iran Engaged, Third Hiker Is Best Man
Phil Spector produces new album -- for wife
U.S. Teen Is Youngest To Summit Mount Everest
Brazil launches international TV network
Firm Recalls Alfalfa Sprout Tainted With Salmonella After 20 Sickened
Rocker David Byrne sues Florida governor over ad
White House to host concert honoring Paul McCartney
Geneticists Create First Synthetic Bacteria
Court Orders Tax-Cheating Bridal Shop Owner To Donate 1,500 Prom Dresses As Restitution
U.S. To Deport Immigrant Students Who Staged Sit-In At Senators Office
British Girl Grows 2 More Kidneys That Replaced Diseased Pair
Hooters Orders Waitress To Trim Fat
Study: UK Cellphone Owners Likely To Ignore Calls From Loved Ones
Jack Bauer turns fugitive on final 24
|
Woman Hides In Coffin During Escape From Police
Bassist with metal band Slipknot dies in Iowa
|
Singer Christina Aguilera cancels summer tour
|
Phil Spector produces new album -- for wife
|
Talking Heads' Byrne sues Florida Gov Crist for song
|
Gunmen kill 8 in Baghdad jewellery heists
New British PM targets economy in royal speech
Gunmen kill 14 in Baghdad gold heist
Schoolboy throws plastic bottle at France's Sarkozy
Airstrike kills Yemen mediator, tribes hit pipeline
|
Iran police to confront "illegal" June protests
First European trial of Somali pirate suspects opens
Ethiopia's Meles urges recognition of poll win
|
Iran says to reconsider fuel swap if sanctions imposed
BP hatches 'top kill' bid to plug oil leak
Queen to outline British coalition's plans
Police question Israel's Olmert in bribery probe
Bus plunge in Turkey kills 13 Russians, two Turks
Mladic family asking Serbia to declare him dead
|
World stocks and euro slump on eurozone, Korea fears
US-TECH Summary
Gunmen kill 14 in Baghdad gold heist: police
|
Ethiopian PM celebrates controversial election win
Police arrest 32 across Europe in Irish gang crackdown
|
S.Korea urges China to help punish N.Korea
Rich-poor divide clouds Czech policy as vote looms
|
Police question Israel's Olmert in bribery probe
|
Sudan charges opposition journalist with terrorism
|
UK government plans political reform
|
Thai ex-PM Thaksin charged with terrorism
French journalists detained in Indonesia's Papua
SKorea resumes psychological warfare with NKorea
'Black box' recovered from India plane crash
Pakistan court: Mumbai suspect can stay free
Boxing champ Pacquiao discharged from hospital
Suicides expose stresses of China factory life
Pakistani court quashes appeals against militant
Pakistani stocks fall 2.67 pct on uncertainty
Retail therapy as Thai malls open after protests
Toshiba, Babcock & Wilcox in nuclear energy deal
Korea tensions, Europe crisis batter Asian markets
Prudential chairman confident in AIA deal
S.Korea BOK April meeting discussed policy change
Facebook CEO: privacy controls missed the mark
|
China, US claim progress, but differences linger
EU gives euro200 million for Indonesian education
Exclusive: U2's North American tour cancelled
Iran film director freed on bail
Cameron revives Eton's link to British premiership
Bollywood film 'Kites' rises abroad, falls at home
World Cup crowns struggle for 'White Zulu' Johnny Clegg
Slipknot bassist Paul Gray dead at 38: reports
Exclusive: U2's North American tour cancelled
|
Crystal and Lee to sing for American Idol title
|
Michael Douglas looks at life as a Solitary Man
|
Jesse James says Bullock likely suspected affairs
|
Iran film director freed on bail
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