South Korea conducts planned military drill - Page last

On December 22 2010 12:22 Biggo wrote:
South don't seem happy enough that they conducted the last test, they are planning the "largest-ever live file drill" to be held tomorrow.

I hope South backs down on this one, or this really could be 'one bridge too far'

On December 22 2010 12:22 Biggo wrote:
South don't seem happy enough that they conducted the last test, they are planning the "largest-ever live file drill" to be held tomorrow.

I hope South backs down on this one, or this really could be 'one bridge too far'

(LEAD) S. Korean Army to stage massive firing drill to deter N.K. provocations

SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to conduct its largest-ever ground and air live-fire drill near the border with North Korea on Thursday, as the South's military remains on alert for the North's surprise provocations not only in the tense western border regions, but also in other unforeseen areas, officials said Wednesday.


This file photo shows an Army live-fire drill held at a range in Pocheon in August. (Yonhap)


The Army's combined live-fire exercises, set to occur at a range in Pocheon, north of Seoul, will feature K-9 self-propelled guns, multiple launch rocket systems, anti-aircraft guns, attack helicopters and six Air Force jets, including two F-15K jets, said the officials.

"The firing drill for multiple launch rockets has so far been conducted individually. But this time they will be combined with other artillery," said an Army official.

Multiple launch rocket launchers are capable of delivering almost 8,000 munitions in less than 60 seconds at ranges exceeding 32 kilometers.

A one-star Army general involved in the drill said that the military will conduct a thorough counterstrike on North Korea's artillery positions in the case of any further provocations by the communist state.

Separately, the Navy began maritime firing exercises in waters off the east coast on Wednesday that included six naval ships and Lynx anti-submarine helicopters.

A Navy official said that the exercise will be held through Friday about 100 kilometers south of the eastern sea maritime border with the North. Nearby Army units will be on heightened vigilance during the drill, the official said.



South Korean Marines remain in combat-ready posture on Yeonpyeong Island in this file photo taken on Dec. 21. (Yonhap)


Tensions on the divided peninsula remain high after the North's deadly shelling of the South's Yeonpyeong Island in November, as well as the South's live-fire drill from the same island earlier this week that had been feared to lead to a fresh clash between the two sides.

Though the North did not carry out its threat to strike back if the South pushes ahead with the exercise, there are still concerns that the communist nation could stage unforeseen attacks on the South.

The defense ministry said that the military is maintaining readiness to strike immediately back at the North in case of provocations in the western land and sea border regions, including the front-line Aegibong hill where the South lit up a giant Christmas tree that Pyongyang sees as psychological warfare.

The ministry also plans to keep military alertness at the highest level for the northernmost islands and other border regions for the time being, while continuing to put fighter jets on mid-air standby.

Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin told lawmakers Tuesday that the military will maintain such readiness until North Korean threats drop visibly. Kim also said that new provocations by the North would likely be surprise attacks, and the South is prepared for various scenarios.

North Korea has also reportedly deployed more surface-to-ship and surface-to-air missiles along its west coast while keeping fighter jets ready to scramble.

The two Koreas are still technically at war as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The western sea border has been a constant source of military tension between the two sides as the North refuses to recognize the boundary.

On December 22 2010 20:08 xBillehx wrote:After all, the two Koreas really are still at war.

North Korea is ready for a "sacred war of justice" using the nuclear deterrent, its armed forces minister has said.

Kim Yong-chun said exercises conducted by South Korea near the border were a preparation for war with the North.

The drill is one of the largest in South Korea's history, involving tanks, helicopters and fighter planes.

Tension has been high since North Korea shelled the South's Yeonpyeong island last month, killing four South Koreans.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has promised immediate retaliation to any further Northern attack.

The South Korean army acknowledged that the drill was aimed to display its firepower.

Although the South has conducted 47 military drills this year, this is the largest winter live-fire exercise ever conducted on land.
'Military provocation'

The North earlier branded Seoul's exercises "warmongering" but until now had not threatened the South with any retaliation.

During a meeting in the North Korean capital, Mr Kim, quoted by Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency, accused the South of preparing for a new Korean War.

"The South Korean puppet forces perpetrated such grave military provocation as renewing their shelling against the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] during their recent exercises for a war of aggression in the West Sea [Yellow Sea] of Korea," he said.

"This indicates that the enemy's scenario for aggression aimed at the start of another Korean War, has reached the phase of its implementation."

"The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK are getting fully prepared to launch a sacred war of justice of Korean style based on the nuclear deterrent at anytime necessary to cope with the enemies' actions deliberately pushing the situation to the brink of a war," he added.

Both China and Russia have called on the South to defuse tensions and US officials too are privately expressing their concern about Seoul's new, more aggressive stance.

South Korea and the US had already been conducting large-scale military exercises, following the apparent torpedoing of a South Korean warship by the North on 26 March, which killed 46 south Korean sailors.

Efforts to redirect the Korean issue back to the negotiating table have been unsuccessful.

China and the North say it is time to return to the six-nation talks about North Korea's nuclear programmes.

But the US, South Korea and Japan have said they will not return to such talks, which have previously involved rewards for the North if it cuts back on nuclear development.

North Korea walked out of the six-party talks in April 2009 and expelled UN nuclear inspectors from the country.

On December 23 2010 21:33 Sawajiri wrote:
Seriously, I'm getting tired of SK's dick-wagging.

Yeah, you got the bigger one, we got it. Tuck 'em away, boys.

On a serious note, I really just don't think that this is a good idea right now. We called their bluff, and that was the right thing to do, and I supported our president's actions until then - but this just seems like taking it a step too far.

I just don't think dick-wagging is appropriate when tens of millions of citizens' lives depend on your actions.

On December 23 2010 22:05 SQUATZ wrote:
There will never be a full scale conflict.
Lots of strong words and warnings not to provoke.
Lots of military exercises and speculation about the strength and intentions of the North.
Lots of media sensationalism over playing minor issues because it sells.
But this will, never, ever turn into a full scale conflict.

We know this because we know that China wants no part of it, and without China's backing, NK can never take any action.
Everyone else knows this, and you can tell because the stock markets are stable.
If people truly thought that war was likely the markets would show it.

It won't stop the media from scaremongering though, because nobody wants to read that there is no real threat and that everything will be OK.

We know this because we know that China wants no part of it, and without China's backing, NK can never take any action.

except the millions living in s korea and the thousands that have friends/family there?
lol what a douchebag

The ironic thing is, as crazy as Kim Jung Il may be, as long as he is alive, there will be no full scale war.

Why is this even a discussion? Its obvious its all propaganda , keep people scared , make them fear for their life / homes and they will not even consider how bad they have it in north korea. Make the south look like the bad guys stops the temptation.

On December 23 2010 22:49 ch4ppi wrote:

Where is your argument for that conclusion?

On December 23 2010 22:15 HeavOnEarth wrote:
except the millions living in s korea and the thousands that have friends/family there?
lol what a douchebag

On December 23 2010 22:20 ch4ppi wrote:
Lol, so yeah because Kim is such an intelligent logical thinking leader...and no lunatic fanatic?