After cutting ties, North Korea plans countermeasures

Posted on : 2010-05-26 12:36 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Experts say N.Korea may wait and consider the method and level of a response for cutting trade and exchange
 Seoul
Seoul

North Korea has declared that it also plans to respond in a hardline fashion to the South Korean government’s announcement Monday of ultra hardline measures that impact include military, diplomatic and North Korea policy.

North Korea first said in a warning sent by a Korean People’s Army commander, immediately after Seoul’s announcement Monday, that it would fire directly on South Korean loudspeakers, electronic displays and other equipment used for psychological warfare. It is also highly likely that North Korea will boost the level of its military response to Seoul’s participation in Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) training drills inside and outside the Korean Peninsula.

In an editorial by the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea repeated Tuesday that it would immediately enact several hardline measures, including full-scale war, against any punishment, retaliation or sanctions leveled against it by the “treasonous gang,” the South Korean government.

It appears North Korea will continue to demand South Korea accept an “inspection team (investigation team)” to examine the results of the Cheonan investigation.

“North Korea’s call for South Korea to accept the team is part of a diplomatic war to stress its innocence to the international community, including South Korea, China and Russia, prior to discussions on bringing the Cheonan sinking before the UN Security Council,” said Inje University Professor Kim Yeon-cheol. “If South Korea’s diplomatic offensive grows stronger, it is also possible that North Korea will directly refute the investigation results, citing its own evidence to the contrary.”

South Korea’s suspension of trade and exchanges with North Korea means that it is highly possible that North Korea will wait and consider the method and level of a response rather than issuing an immediate response. Professor Kim said that because inter-Korean ties were virtually suspended even before the announcement of Seoul’s measures, there is not much North Korea can do.

The Unification Ministry believes it is possible North Korea will respond on a case-by-case basis by taking steps such as blaming South Korea for breaking contracts regarding ongoing inter-Korean economic cooperation like the procession-on-commission projects and confiscate raw materials already supplied.

In the case of the Kaesong Industrial Zone, the only remaining inter-Korean cooperation project, many believe North Korea and South Korea will blame one another for its closing for the time being. Not only is the Kaesong zone an important source of foreign exchange for North Korea, but it also provides drinking water for about 100 thousand Kaesong residents. Accordingly, some believe that North Korea has major internal interests that are a priority ahead of shutting Kaesong.

“If gunfire breaks out due to South Korea’s resumption of psychological warfare, it will be difficult for both North Korea and South Korea to continue allowing passage through the DMZ,” said Professor Yang Mu-jin of the University of North Korean Studies. “North Korea could also respond with gradual measures such as limiting passage through the DMZ, breaking contracts and freezing and confiscating property.”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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