Artillery fire on Korean border coincides with Artillery Tests in the Pacific

[endof]

North Korea has fired artillery shells across its western maritime border, prompting return fire from South Korea, reports say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11818005

"A North Korean artillery unit staged an illegal firing provocation at 1434 PM (0534 GMT) and South Korean troops fired back immediately in self-defence," a defence ministry spokesman told AFP.

"Houses and mountains are on fire and people are evacuating. You can't see very well because of plumes of smoke,"

"People are frightened to death and shelling continues as we speak," the witness said.

South Korea had deployed fighter jets

[Dig]

I wonder if they extended these ARTILLERY TESTS IN THE PACIFIC...Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

We got plenty of gunnery activity scheduled around Japan coming up too, looks like a fricking fire sale of war games going on all over the place. At least now we can see it before the MSM starts saying bullshit..


http://www.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/MISC/warn/dm_p.html

HYDROPAC   2418/2010(97).
WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
JAPAN.
CANCEL HYDROPAC 2380/10 AND THIS MSG, OPERATIONS COMPLETED.
 
        (100015Z NOV 2010)
 
HYDROPAC   2419/2010(95).
YELLOW SEA.
GUNNERY.
1. GUNNERY EXERCISES 0001Z TO 0800Z DAILY
   15 THRU 19 NOV IN AREA BETWEEN
   36-05N 36-35N AND 124-50E 125-42E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 190900Z NOV.
 
        (100827Z NOV 2010)
 
HYDROPAC   2420/2010(95).
YELLOW SEA.
GUNNERY.
1. GUNNERY EXERCISES 0001Z TO 0800Z DAILY
   15 THRU 19 NOV IN AREA BETWEEN
   34-50N 35-15N AND 124-50E 125-42E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 190900Z NOV.
 
        (100830Z NOV 2010)
 
HYDROPAC   2421/2010(95).
YELLOW SEA.
GUNNERY.
1. GUNNERY EXERCISES 0001Z TO 0800Z DAILY
   15 THRU 19 NOV IN AREA BOUND BY
   36-35-00N 125-36-00E, 36-35-00N 124-50-00E,
   37-04-21N 124-50-00E, 37-05-08N 125-36-00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 190900Z NOV.
 
        (100837Z NOV 2010)
 
HYDROPAC   2422/2010(95).
SEA OF JAPAN.
GUNNERY.
1. GUNNERY EXERCISES 0001Z TO 0800Z DAILY
   15 AND 19 NOV IN AREA BOUND BY
   38-15N 129-51E, 38-14N 130-10E,
   37-47N 130-10E, 37-48N 129-51E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 190900Z NOV.
 
        (100858Z NOV 2010)
 
HYDROPAC   2423/2010(95).
SEA OF JAPAN.
GUNNERY.
1. GUNNERY EXERCISES 2300Z TO 0800Z COMMENCING
   DAILY 14 THRU 18 NOV IN AREA BOUND BY
   38-25N 128-45E, 38-25N 129-30E,
   38-10N 129-30E, 38-10N 129-00E,
   38-17N 129-00E, 38-17N 128-45E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 190900Z NOV.
 
        (100909Z NOV 2010)
 
HYDROPAC   2424/2010(94,95).
YELLOW SEA.
GUNNERY.
1. GUNNERY EXERCISES 2300Z TO 0900Z COMMENCING
   DAILY 14 THRU 16 NOV IN AREA BETWEEN
   37-30-10N 37-44-55N AND 124-05-10E 124-36-40E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 171000Z NOV.
 
        (100925Z NOV 2010)
 

[Dig]

Or maybe the neocons are insisting on using Stuxnet (first strike NATO cyber WMD) on North Korea as the psychopathic maniac David Albright has insisted...Double Derrrr

Neocons Should Use Stuxnet to Mess With North Korea’s New Uranium Plant
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/11/could-stuxnet-mess-with-north-koreas-new-uranium-plant/
By Kim Zetter and Spencer Ackerman  November 22, 2010  |  3:49 pm  |  Categories: Nukes
 
The Stuxnet worm may have a new target. While security analysts try to figure out whether the now-infamous malware was built to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program, North Korea has unveiled a new uranium enrichment plant that appears to share components with Iran’s facilities. Could Pyongyang’s centrifuges be vulnerable to Stuxnet? While U.S. officials are trying to figure out how to respond to North Korea’s unveiling of a new uranium enrichment plant, there are clues that a piece of malware believed to have hit Iran’s nuclear efforts could also target the centrifuges Pyongyang’s preparing to spin. Some of the equipment used by the North Koreans to control their centrifuges — necessary for turning uranium into nuclear-bomb-ready fuel — appear to have come from the same firms that outfitted the Iranian nuclear program, according to David Albright, the president of the Institute for Science and International Security and a long-time watcher of both nuclear programs. “The computer-control equipment North Korea got was the same Iran got,” Albright told Danger Room. Nearly two months before the Yongbyon revelation, Albright published a study covering the little that’s publicly known about the North’s longstanding and seemingly stalled efforts at enriching its own uranium. (.pdf) Citing unnamed European intelligence officials, Albright wrote that the North Korean control system “is dual use, also used by the petrochemical industry, but was the same as those acquired by Iran to run its centrifuges.” Albright doesn’t know for sure that the North Koreans’ control system is exactly like the one the Iranians use. Siegfried Hecker, the U.S. nuclear scientist invited by Pyongyang to view the Yongbyon facility, wasn’t allowed to check out the control room thoroughly, and his report about what he saw merely says that the control room is “ultra-modern,” decked out with flat-screen computer panels.  Nor is Albright to specify which company manufactured the control system — something that determines whether Stuxnet would have any potency. “But that’s really what the Stuxnet virus is taking over,” Albright says, “the control equipment, giving directions to the frequency converters.”


Who is this dweeb warmongering Nazi psycho from hell?


David Albright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Albright

David Albright, M.S., is the founder of the non-governmental Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), its current president, and author of several books on proliferation of atomic weapons. Albright holds a Master of Science in physics from Indiana University and a M.Sc. in mathematics from Wright State University. He has taught physics at George Mason University in Virginia.

From 1990 to 2001, Albright was a member of the Colorado State Health Advisory Panel, participating in its assessment of the toxicological and radiological effects on the population near the Rocky Flats atomic weapons production site.

1992-97, David Albright was associated with the International Atomic Energy Agency's Action Team. In June 1996, he was invited to be the first non-governmental inspector of Iraq's nuclear program and questioned Iraqi officials about that country's uranium enrichment program.

In 2001 Albright prepared an analysis, for CNN, of documents found in an abandoned Al Qaeda safe house in Kabul believed to have been used by Abu Khabbab, who they described as "Osama bin Laden's top chemical and biological weapons commander."[1] Albright, confirmed the abandoned documents included plans for a nuclear bomb, and extensive training notes on the handling of radiological material.

In 2006 David Albright received the prestigious Joseph A. Burton Forum Award from the American Physical Society, a professional society of American physicists. He was cited “For his tireless and productive efforts to slow the transfer of nuclear weapons technology. He brings a unique combination of deep understanding, objectivity, and effectiveness to this vexed area.”[1]

A report by David Albright was quoted in a June 15, 2008 article in the Washington Post[2]. He stated in a leaked copy of a draft report (to be released in full the week of June 15, 2008) that a nuclear weapons smuggling ring—which sold bomb-related parts to Libya, North Korea, and Iran—possessed plans to an advanced nuclear device, compact enough to fit on a ballistic missile used by Iran and a dozen other developing countries. It was unknown if these plans had been shared with any regime; and the plans had recently been destroyed.[3]

[Dig]

A United States F-16 fighter jet releases flares during a joint gunnery exercise at a military firing range in Pocheon, near the heavily-fortified border with North Korea, in April this year. Indonesian lawmakers want to know how much it will cost to retrofit 24 of the used aircraft offered by the US.



A US Apache helicopter fires rockets during a joint gunnery exercise at a military firing range in Pocheon, near the heavily-fortified border with North Korea, on October 13, 2010. South Korea for the first time joined an international naval exercise to prevent the transfer of weapons of mass destruction, despite North Korea's strong opposition. The two-day drill off the southern port of Busan involves warships and aircraft from the United States, host South Korea, Japan and Australia, the defence ministry said.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/photo/04754VI2oj7K7?q=border+firing

Exercise Endeavour 10

South Korea will host a multinational ship-interdiction manoeuvre next week in the waters off Busan, the Ministry of National Defence has announced. The forthcoming Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) exercise, code named Eastern Endeavour 10, is aimed at preventing the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and illicit weapons of rogue states, such as North Korea, a senior official at the ministry said. The exercise will be held on October 13-14 in the waters about 28km offshore with the participation of about 15 nations, the official said. Participants include the US, Japan, Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand, Turkey, Chile, Argentina, Italy and Spain, he said. Russia, Switzerland and Sweden are also considering participating in the drill, according to the official. On May 24, the Lee Myung-bak government declared that it would participate with full co-operation in the PSI, a US-led global campaign aimed at interdicting ships suspected of carrying material that could be used for WMDs. The South Korean Navy will deploy two 4,500 tonne KDX-II destroyers, two landing ship tanks, P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, Lynx anti-submarine helicopters and UH-60 helicopters, the official said. The Korean Coast Guard will also dispatch ships and helicopters. Special forces from the Navy, the coast guard and the Army’s nuclear, biological and chemical unit will also take part in the drill. The US Navy will send a 9,000 tonne destroyer, a P-3C plane and an SH-60 helicopter, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defence will dispatch two 4,000 tonne destroyers and an SH-60 helicopter.

http://www.newslinkservices.net/Marinenews.aspx

[Dig]

Is this real world or exercise?

[Dig]

More on the drill a month ago:

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1591039.php/Maritime-drill-against-weapons-transfers-starts-off-South-Korea
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/13/apworld/20101013132454&sec=apworld
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2010/October/international_October567.xml&section=international
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_protected_Kims_oldest_son_over_attack_plot_report_999.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GRSiofY884
http://www.news-gate.info/tag/defence-ministry/
http://www.read-news.info/war/did-chinese-protests-impact-the-next-us-s-korean-naval-drill/

Supposedly another drill for November was "cancelled":

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1454435&SM=1

US-Korea Naval Drill Canceled To Safeguard G20 Summit
10/25/2010 12:58 AM ET

(RTTNews) - A US-South Korea naval exercise in the Yellow Sea, originally scheduled for this week, is canceled in view of the G-20 summit, scheduled to be held in Seoul November 11 and 12, said local media Sunday, citing a senior government source. Also, the two countries decided to postpone a large-scale landing maneuver in the Yellow Sea, until after the G20 summit. South Korean government sources reportedly said that the decision to cancel the drill was made to avoid causing tensions with China and North Korea ahead of the summit. Beijing opposed the deployment of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered super-aircraft-carrier USS George Washington. The two allies originally sought to stage a joint exercise involving the U.S. aircraft-carrier late this month as part of a response to North Korea's torpedoing of a South Korean war vessel in late March that drowned 46 sailors. However, a high-level government official reportedly said that it was realistically difficult for the two countries to stage another large-scale naval drill following the anti-submarine training from September 20 to October 1. At the G20 meeting the leaders will discuss an agreement to reform the International Monetary Fund (IMF) so that emerging economies, including Brazil, China, India and Russia have more say in the decision-making process. An agreement to this effect was announced Saturday by finance ministers and central bank governors from the 20 nations on the last day of their conference in South Korean coastal city of Gyeongju.

[Dig]

so they do these drills every month?

Every week?

every day?

[endof]

the MSM is talking about it, saying its 'serious' but not running with it as all that major just yet.

We shall see.

[Dig]

There are over 50,000 articles by the Rothschild/Rockefeller outlets blaming North Korea even though everyone knows there are drills there almost daily. Wonder why Rothschild/Rockefeller are propping up their Kim Jung Il puppet again.  Hey illuminutsoes...everybody already knows that Bilderberg dictates when the puffy stuffed animal (the dear leader) is allowed to piss or shit.

[endof]

Whats intersting is i hear the dollar has spiked up a bit because of this news.

"when all else fails, they take you to war"

Maybe its just a opening volley, with more to come in the coming months.

[Dig]

Look at this...a drill just 5 days ago where 3 South Korean soldiers died:


Skorea Says 3 Soldiers Killed During Routine Drill
http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/nov/17/skorea-says-3-soldiers-killed-during-routine-drill-ar-544571/
By KWANG-TAE KIM, Associated Press | (AP) Published: November 17, 2010

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea's army says three soldiers have died and another is unconscious after their boat capsized during a drill. An army official says that eight soldiers were on board when their small boat turned over Wednesday in a river in Yeoju, some 65 miles (105 kilometers) southeast of Seoul. The official says four other soldiers are in good condition. The army official refused to be identified, saying he wasn't authorized to speak to the media. The accident comes five days after a South Korean spy plane crashed during routine training and its two pilots were killed. Also last week, a South Korean navy ship sank after colliding with a larger fishing boat in waters near the southern resort island of Jeju. One died and two are still missing.


So are the casualties from actual enemy fire or from another drill?

[endof]

Look at this...a drill just 5 days ago where 3 South Korean soldiers died:


Skorea Says 3 Soldiers Killed During Routine Drill
http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/nov/17/skorea-says-3-soldiers-killed-during-routine-drill-ar-544571/
By KWANG-TAE KIM, Associated Press | (AP) Published: November 17, 2010

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea's army says three soldiers have died and another is unconscious after their boat capsized during a drill. An army official says that eight soldiers were on board when their small boat turned over Wednesday in a river in Yeoju, some 65 miles (105 kilometers) southeast of Seoul. The official says four other soldiers are in good condition. The army official refused to be identified, saying he wasn't authorized to speak to the media. The accident comes five days after a South Korean spy plane crashed during routine training and its two pilots were killed. Also last week, a South Korean navy ship sank after colliding with a larger fishing boat in waters near the southern resort island of Jeju. One died and two are still missing.


So are the casualties from actual enemy fire or from another drill?

well you can bet they wont tell us.

Ive been keeping an eye on the MSM streams, they seem to be cranking up how 'serious' it is now, ever so slowly.

[Dig]

well you can bet they wont tell us.

Ive been keeping an eye on the MSM streams, they seem to be cranking up how 'serious' it is now, ever so slowly.

Looks like they want the drill last month to go live:

Exercise Endeavour 10

South Korea will host a multinational ship-interdiction manoeuvre next week in the waters off Busan, the Ministry of National Defence has announced. The forthcoming Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) exercise, code named Eastern Endeavour 10, is aimed at preventing the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and illicit weapons of rogue states, such as North Korea, a senior official at the ministry said. The exercise will be held on October 13-14 in the waters about 28km offshore with the participation of about 15 nations, the official said. Participants include the US, Japan, Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand, Turkey, Chile, Argentina, Italy and Spain, he said. Russia, Switzerland and Sweden are also considering participating in the drill, according to the official. On May 24, the Lee Myung-bak government declared that it would participate with full co-operation in the PSI, a US-led global campaign aimed at interdicting ships suspected of carrying material that could be used for WMDs. The South Korean Navy will deploy two 4,500 tonne KDX-II destroyers, two landing ship tanks, P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, Lynx anti-submarine helicopters and UH-60 helicopters, the official said. The Korean Coast Guard will also dispatch ships and helicopters. Special forces from the Navy, the coast guard and the Army’s nuclear, biological and chemical unit will also take part in the drill. The US Navy will send a 9,000 tonne destroyer, a P-3C plane and an SH-60 helicopter, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defence will dispatch two 4,000 tonne destroyers and an SH-60 helicopter.

http://www.newslinkservices.net/Marinenews.aspx

[Dig]

Continued excercises:

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/19109/

http://www.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=245851&catid=855

http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-80893.html

[Dig]

Hey look at this...

One day before this "situation"

Minister: Seoul Could Seek Deployment of US Tactical Nuclear Weapons
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/tag/south/
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 7:25 am UTC
Posted 1 day ago

South Korea’s defense minister says his country may consider having U.S. tactical nuclear weapons deployed on its soil for the first time in 19 years. Defense Minister Kim Tae-young raised the possibility Monday during talks with a parliamentary committee about North Korea’s latest nuclear escalation. He said the issue could be raised when a joint U.S.-South Korean military committee meets next month to discuss North Korea’s nuclear programs. The United States removed its last tactical nuclear weapons from South Korea in December of 1991. A Defense Ministry spokesman told VOA that until now, the country had not considered having them reintroduced. The Associated Press quoted a ministry spokesman saying the effect of the weapons would be mainly psychological since South Korea is already protected by the American nuclear umbrella.


W T F ?

[Suriel]

from: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/23/nkorea.skorea.military.fire/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

The South Korean government immediately called an emergency meeting of its security ministers.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak ordered his ministers to take measures against an escalation of the situation, presidential spokeswoman Kim Hee-jung said, according to Yonhap.

The North Korean fire came as the South's military conducted routine drills in waters off the island, which is about 10 kilometers [6 miles] from the North.

I'll looking forward to see what citizenx has heard about this current event.

[Letsbereal]

North Korea Fires Rockets at Island
23 November 2010, by Evan Ramstad and Jaeyeon Woo - Seoul (The Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703904804575631763523837910.html?mod=wsj_share_twitter

Excerpt:

North Korea fired artillery rockets at South Korea's Yeonpyeong island near a disputed maritime border Tuesday, setting houses on fire in its small villages, and prompting the south to return fire and dispatch fighter jets to the area.

One South Korean Marine was killed in the skirmish and at least a dozen more were injured, military officials said.

Photos sent to South Korean TV stations by residents of nearby So-yeonpyeong island showed multiple plumes of smoke rising over its larger neighbor.

A spokesman for South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff said "scores of rounds" were fired by the North.

"The whole neighborhood is on fire," said Na Young-ok, a 46-year-old woman who has lived on the island for 20 years. She was at a bomb shelter when reached by The Wall Street Journal. "I think countless houses are on fire, but no fire truck is coming. We have a fire station but the shots are intermittently coming."

Ms. Na said a military base on the island was on fire. She said she was with about 50 people in the shelter and her child was in a similar shelter at the school on the island. She didn't know whether people were injured.

CNN: N. Korea fires on S. Korea, (23/11/2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylNUoc6LTUc

[EvadingGrid]

WTF


I detect some engineered bullshit

[citizenx]

A United States F-16 fighter jet releases flares during a joint gunnery exercise at a military firing range in Pocheon, near the heavily-fortified border with North Korea, in April this year.

Hey, Pocheon, that's where I live.

Yeah, I see aerial exercises going on quite frequently and what are likely regular patrols by choppers and fixed wing aircraft.

When I saw news of the skirmish today, I thought it was an exercise at first until I made out the word, "evacuation".

Definitely hotter than I would like.

I was watching TV in the waiting room when it started. I had to watch the baby while my wife went in to have a toothache looked at.

I'm really just finding out about al this now.  Saw some of my students on the street.  They said "Teacher, Korean War".

You know, one day that war is going to end...

[Dig]

Hey, Pocheon, that's where I live.

Yeah, I see aerial exercises going on quite frequently and what are likely regular patrols by choppers and fixed wing aircraft.

When I saw news of the skirmish today, I thought it was an exercise at first until I made out the word, "evacuation".

Definitely hotter than I would like.

I was watching TV in the waiting room when it started. I had to watch the baby while my wife went in to have a toothache looked at.

I'm really just finding out about al this now.  Saw some of my students on the street.  They said "Teacher, Korean War".

You know, one day that war is going to end...

god's speed to safety

[citizenx]

Dig,

Thanks. (Yes, but where? -- rhetorical question)

I'm not that worried yet.  I hope I am not being naive.  People in war-zones probably say that all the time.

Famous last words.

Anyway, so far one dead (unconfirmed) according to CNN.com video report.  14 injured.  Not good.  Could be worse (Seoul nuked -- other places?)

So far, just looks like somewhat normal theatrics here.  BTW, CNN the Cheonan was not blown up by a North Korean torpedo.  If it was sunk by a torpedo, it appears to have been a German torpedo and who fired it is anybody's guess.

Both sides are staging antics.  Coordinated?

Kim Jong Il in the north (Pukan) is trying to secure succession for Kim Jong Un.

U.S. and S. Korea are making a mountain out of a molehill about these centrifuges -- a thousand is what they call a good start, I believe.  Too much drama on both sides, but that is the Korean peninsula.

Korean soap operas are fairly famous here in Asia.

I'm pretty sure the whole peninsula could benefit from years of psychotherapy -- or anger management.

Somebody has their number -- both countries.

[Letsbereal]

Regular war exercises near the heavily-fortified border with North Korea doesn't exactly seem somtin to keep the peace?

More like keeping North Korea uptide for WOIII in 2020.

[Dig]

Dig,

Thanks. (Yes, but where? -- rhetorical question)

I'm not that worried yet.  I hope I am not being naive.  People in war-zones probably say that all the time.

Famous last words.

Anyway, so far one dead (unconfirmed) according to CNN.com video report.  14 injured.  Not good.  Could be worse (Seoul nuked -- other places?)

So far, just looks like somewhat normal theatrics here.  BTW, CNN the Cheonan was not blown up by a North Korean torpedo.  If it was sunk by a torpedo, it appears to have been a German torpedo and who fired it is anybody's guess.

Both sides are staging antics.  Coordinated?

Kim Jong Il in the north (Pukan) is trying to secure succession for Kim Jong Un.

U.S. and S. Korea are making a mountain out of a molehill about these centrifuges -- a thousand is what they call a good start, I believe.  Too much drama on both sides, but that is the Korean peninsula.

Korean soap operas are fairly famous here in Asia.

I'm pretty sure the whole peninsula could benefit from years of psychotherapy -- or anger management.

Somebody has their number -- both countries.

one dead? 3 died 5 days ago during routine drills...

http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/nov/17/skorea-says-3-soldiers-killed-during-routine-drill-ar-544571/

again, how do you know if it is a drill?

[citizenx]

Last I saw YTN reported one dead (still unconfirmed).  Seem to be reports now it is confirmed, but (yes) soldiers die all the time in drills and exercises here and in various skirmishes from time to time.  This may still fall in that latter category.

Lest we forget soldiers die all the time in exercises in the U.S., too.  Twenty years ago I was a young enlisted man training at NTC (Ft. Irwin) for 30 days in June/July 15 miles south from Death Valley, sleeping under the stars with the tarantulas, and scorpions, Gila monsters, and sidewinders.

Several people died in the field in just thirty days there, left to die of dehydration on some mountain.  Helicopters couldn't be bothered to drop supplies or pick up the troops, or were two busy "fighting" the Op-fors, or something.  Parents got some letter outlining some accident or another, doubtless.

It really happens.  Now does the U.S. even need a standing army?  Does its army need to train quite so intensely for largely imaginary enemies?

Shadow boxing?

Maybe.

How do you know when a drill isn't just a drill.  I guess you could say when the government "evacuates" you, but I'm not entirely sure that is correct either.

A point well-taken.

[Brocke]

The North Korea Times is reporting the following...


Four South Koreans hurt when North fires into sea: Report
North Korea Times
Tuesday 23rd November, 2010 
(IANS)

Four South Korean soldiers were wounded Tuesday when North Korea fired artillery at a South Korean island near the two countries' border in the Yellow Sea, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported, citing military officials.

The North fired dozens of rounds, some of which landed on Yeonpyeong island, Yonhap quoted Colonel Lee Bung Woo, spokesman for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, as saying.

The South returned fire, targeting an artillery position on the North's coast, the Defence Ministry in Seoul said.

Homes were damaged on Yeonpyeong, South Korea's YTN television said.

About 1,000 South Korean soldiers are stationed on the island, which lies 12 km from North Korea's coast. It has been a source of tension between the two neighbours because of its location and rich fishing grounds, and naval clashes have occurred nearby.

Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have deteriorated this year after a South Korean warship sunk in March in the Yellow Sea also near the inter-Korean border. Forty-six sailors were killed. Seoul blamed Pyongyang for their deaths, but the North has denied involvement.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak called an emergency meeting of ministers with security-related portfolios to discuss how to respond to the fire while a Unification Ministry official told Yonhap that the South was considering evacuating its citizens out of North Korea.

Few foreigners visit isolated, Stalinist North Korea, but South Koreans work there at an industrial park operated by both Koreas at the border town of Kaesong and at the Mount Kumgang resort.

Read more: http://story.northkoreatimes.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/08aysdf7tga9s7f7/id/710861/cs/1/


South Korean soldier dies as North fires at island: Report
North Korea Times
Tuesday 23rd November, 2010 
(IANS)

One South Korean soldier was killed and at least 13 injured Tuesday when North Korea fired artillery at a South Korean island near the two countries' border in the Yellow Sea, South Korean news reports said.

Yeonpyeong island was shrouded in smoke, and its residents were fleeing by fishing boat. Television reports said civilians were also wounded.

The South returned fire, targeting artillery positions on the North's coast, and also deployed fighter jets to the island, the Defence Ministry and Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said.

Houses on Yeonpyeong, which lies 12 km off North Korea's coast, were in flames.

About 1,000 South Korean soldiers are stationed on the island, which has been a source of tension between the two neighbours because of its location and rich fishing grounds, and naval clashes have occurred nearby.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak called an emergency meeting in an underground bunker of ministers with security-related portfolios to discuss how to respond to the fire. A presidential spokesman said he urged the ministers to take measures to prevent an escalation.

A Unification Ministry official told South Korea's Yonhap News Agency that the South was considering evacuating its citizens from North Korea.

Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have deteriorated this year after a South Korean warship sank in March in the Yellow Sea also near the inter-Korean border. Forty-six sailors were killed. Seoul blamed Pyongyang for their deaths, but the North has denied involvement.

Colonel Lee Bung Woo, spokesman for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, was quoted by Yonhap as saying that the North fired dozens of rounds, some of which landed on Yeonpyeong, and the South fired 80 rounds. South Korea's military was placed on its highest peacetime alert, he said.

The Blue House, South Korea's presidential home and office, said Seoul was examining whether the North fired in retaliation for a South Korean military drill taking place on the western coast and involving about 70,000 troops. Pyongyang had protested the annual exercise in a message it sent to Seoul earlier Tuesday, the Blue House said.

Read more: http://story.northkoreatimes.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/08aysdf7tga9s7f7/id/710909/cs/1/

[Dig]

The North Korea Times is reporting the following...


Four South Koreans hurt when North fires into sea: Report
North Korea Times
Tuesday 23rd November, 2010 
(IANS)

Four South Korean soldiers were wounded Tuesday when North Korea fired artillery at a South Korean island near the two countries' border in the Yellow Sea, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported, citing military officials.

The North fired dozens of rounds, some of which landed on Yeonpyeong island, Yonhap quoted Colonel Lee Bung Woo, spokesman for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, as saying.

The South returned fire, targeting an artillery position on the North's coast, the Defence Ministry in Seoul said.

Homes were damaged on Yeonpyeong, South Korea's YTN television said.

About 1,000 South Korean soldiers are stationed on the island, which lies 12 km from North Korea's coast. It has been a source of tension between the two neighbours because of its location and rich fishing grounds, and naval clashes have occurred nearby.

Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have deteriorated this year after a South Korean warship sunk in March in the Yellow Sea also near the inter-Korean border. Forty-six sailors were killed. Seoul blamed Pyongyang for their deaths, but the North has denied involvement.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak called an emergency meeting of ministers with security-related portfolios to discuss how to respond to the fire while a Unification Ministry official told Yonhap that the South was considering evacuating its citizens out of North Korea.

Few foreigners visit isolated, Stalinist North Korea, but South Koreans work there at an industrial park operated by both Koreas at the border town of Kaesong and at the Mount Kumgang resort.

Read more: http://story.northkoreatimes.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/08aysdf7tga9s7f7/id/710861/cs/1/


South Korean soldier dies as North fires at island: Report
North Korea Times
Tuesday 23rd November, 2010 
(IANS)

One South Korean soldier was killed and at least 13 injured Tuesday when North Korea fired artillery at a South Korean island near the two countries' border in the Yellow Sea, South Korean news reports said.

Yeonpyeong island was shrouded in smoke, and its residents were fleeing by fishing boat. Television reports said civilians were also wounded.

The South returned fire, targeting artillery positions on the North's coast, and also deployed fighter jets to the island, the Defence Ministry and Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said.

Houses on Yeonpyeong, which lies 12 km off North Korea's coast, were in flames.

About 1,000 South Korean soldiers are stationed on the island, which has been a source of tension between the two neighbours because of its location and rich fishing grounds, and naval clashes have occurred nearby.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak called an emergency meeting in an underground bunker of ministers with security-related portfolios to discuss how to respond to the fire. A presidential spokesman said he urged the ministers to take measures to prevent an escalation.

A Unification Ministry official told South Korea's Yonhap News Agency that the South was considering evacuating its citizens from North Korea.

Relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have deteriorated this year after a South Korean warship sank in March in the Yellow Sea also near the inter-Korean border. Forty-six sailors were killed. Seoul blamed Pyongyang for their deaths, but the North has denied involvement.

Colonel Lee Bung Woo, spokesman for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, was quoted by Yonhap as saying that the North fired dozens of rounds, some of which landed on Yeonpyeong, and the South fired 80 rounds. South Korea's military was placed on its highest peacetime alert, he said.

The Blue House, South Korea's presidential home and office, said Seoul was examining whether the North fired in retaliation for a South Korean military drill taking place on the western coast and involving about 70,000 troops. Pyongyang had protested the annual exercise in a message it sent to Seoul earlier Tuesday, the Blue House said.

Read more: http://story.northkoreatimes.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/08aysdf7tga9s7f7/id/710909/cs/1/

"...for a South Korean military drill taking place on the western coast and involving about 70,000 troops..."

70,000 troops is a "drill"? wow

[Brocke]

North, South Korea Exchange Fire Near Western Maritime Border
South Korean Media Reported 60 to 70 Houses in the Fishing Village Are on Fire.

By JOOHEE CHO
SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 23, 2010

Tensions escalated on the Korean peninsula today as the two Koreas exchange fire for the fourth time in recent years near the western maritime border.
Local Korean media reported up to 60 homes were on fire after the shelling.

North Korea fired artillery shells toward Yeonpyeong Island, some landing in sea but some landing on the island's residential area, said Col. Lee Bung-Woo, spokesman at the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The South responded with its own artillery fire.

South Korean media is reporting 60 to 70 houses in the fishing village and sporadic areas in the mountains are on fire engulfed in thick smoke.

Authorities said one soldier was killed and 14 others were injured.

At least three civilians have been hurt.

According to the Lee, South Korean naval forces were conducting a routine drill in the waters near the island earlier in the morning.

"North Korea has sent a letter of protest over the drill," said Kim Hee-jung, spokesperson for the South's President Lee Myung-bak. "We're examining a possible link between the protest and the artillery attack." Reports also say North Korea repeatedly sent warnings to stop the exercises before firing the artilleries.

The South has upgraded the military's posture to its highest non-wartime alert, the defense ministry said. The Air Force has deployed fighter jets to the island.

read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/north-south-korea-exchange-fire-western-maritime-border/story?id=12220759

[Dig]

drudge has kicked it into high gear...


NKorea fires artillery onto SKorean island...
'Intentional, planned attack'...
South Returns Fire...
Japan prepares for 'any eventuality'...
SKorea denies seeking redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons...
FLASHBACK: UK fears NKorean attack on Seoul G20 summit...
IT BEGINS


http://drudgereport.com

[citizenx]

Yeah, Drudge, thanks buddy.

I guess that tiger ins't going to change his warmongering neocon stripes any time soon either.

(Though I am glad he has been linking to AJ's articles of late.)

[Kilika]

If the North actually fired artillery and hit a South Korean military base, isn't that considered an act of war? It's not like a "Ooops! Our bad!" seeing they aren't denying it.

I am curious though. Not being an army guy and not really knowing much at all about artillery shells, I wonder how it is that they have all those houses on fire. I thought that artillery were concussion type rounds, versus incendiary. Maybe from gas lines being damaged I guess.

[phasma]

MSM - BBC - UK - running with it as one of the lead stories now.

They said 80 shells were fired , then

Hundreds, 200 shells were fired.

idk if this is real, or a FF? I thought SK was "on our side" but if they can be used to injure NK then i`m sure they will be used.

BBC news HAD to mention that inspectors recently found out they have a new site with hundred? of 2nd generation centrifuges, enriching uranium, which is more then iran has . . .

[citizenx]

I have seen other (foreign) reports mention "missiles" which could vaguely refer to shells or rockets.

Not sure why we are seeing the fires yet either.

[shipgeek]

Thank you for your updates citizenX
You are right there so we can trust you on providing us with the right information.

[phasma]

LOL

BBC reporting - NK statement - it will feircely retalliate if SK crosses its border even by as little as 0.01 of a millimeter

Yeah, sounds like something a dictator might bother releasing.

SK - we will retalliate with grim force - what ever that is :S

[citizenx]

Thank you for your updates citizenX
You are right there so we can trust you on providing us with the right information.

Well, I could be fibbing.   But I'm not.

Anyhoo, you're welcome er..uhh no problem. De nada.

[feeditup]

This shit pisses me off, more death and hate

[Nailer]

More sabre rattling?  Looks like they have been sharpened ..

Michael Scheuer  said on Fox News that we need to take out N. Korea's Navy right now.

[citizenx]

And there's another inside-job denying neocon motherfu#%er that can kiss my a$$.

[Letsbereal]

Military Projections Show The Devastating Capabilities Of North Korean Artillery
23 November 2010, by Gus Lubin (Business Insider)
http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-artillery-could-level-seoul-2011-11

Why North Korea Attacked
23 November 2010, by Gus Lubin (Business Insider)
http://www.businessinsider.com/why-north-korean-attacked-2010-11

[feeditup]

I don't understand why we have revolving doors of war on false pretenses and people will still go and fight. All Troops at this point are accomplices to mass murder, If you know it is an unjust war and you fight you are to blame, you are a murderer. Don't tell me how you fallow any religion if your willing to murder for money