China believes South Korea "Drunk with Patriotism"

The Dong A-Ilbo filed a report citing several quotes from Chinese newspapers. Included is the line "Beijing 'has its means'” if Seoul does not listen to its advice. China is obviously not happy with the South Korean military drills. Interestingly they have yet to denounce North Korea's recent actions. China's only response is that the island shelling was "what happened in an exchange of fire at a disputed area.” In regard to recent activities an editorial from the Global Times says “The North`s international image is being quietly altered as it showed its calmness and restraint over the South’s military drill, while urging the South to think about whether it did not become the provoker."

The newspapers also say that South Korea must be "drunk on something" and that if Seoul will not listen to China that "new means" are necessary. In regard to South Korea's latest drill the editorial says that Seoul is "playing soccer on a dangerous cliff." The Chinese Global Times states "South Korean leaders might have the illusion that they suffered a lot from the North`s `provocation.` But do they understand that the North Koreans also had bitter pills to swallow when the South launched military exercises with the U.S. time and again?” and that South Korea's stance is "irrationally demanding."

The Chinese official news agency Xinhua states China's intention of degrading relations between the U.S. and South Korea. China believes that the latest rounds of drills and exercises are in the interest of the United States. Making a claim that the U.S. masks its interests by its alliance with South Korea.

The Dong A-Ilbo surveyed twenty experts on Chinese policy. Five say that a military clash is likely, twelve say it is not likely, and three say a fight is impossible.

China and South Korea are also currently having serious issues over fishing waters. A few days ago South Korea claims a Chinese fishing boat intentionally rammed itself into one of their coast guard vessels (it is said there is video evidence of this). Initially China took a hard line toward South Korea over the incident but has since eased off (potentially due to the video evidence). Three Chinese fisherman are being held and are expected to face criminal charges.

The latest words from North Korea are that they are ready for "A Sacred War based on a nuclear deterrent"

The latest words from South Korea's President are "tough actions enable us to keep peace, deter provocations and prevent war."

Christmas Tree Propaganda along the DMZ

I am beginning to believe that Korea does not want to be reunited. The North firmly believes that progress will only happen when the North and South deal with each other directly. The South doesn't seem to want to have a conversation unless others are involved.

The latest moves have been interesting. The South dared the North to attack again. The North now uses their lack of response to tell the world that they are the Korea who wants peace. North Korea has also offered to sell many of its nuclear fuel rods to the South. The South says they are just after money. I really do not want to believe this but could the South now simply have become greedy? Does South Korea not want to take on the economic burden the North has to offer? I certainly hope not but the wonder is growing.

In 2004 both countries signed a deal to stop propaganda along the border. The recent activities have now caused the South to shred that document. Yesterday, a giant Christmas Tree was erected on the top of a mountain along the border.
The tree is made of steel, is one-hundred feet tall, and has approximately 100,000 LED bulbs!! I understand Christmas is the season of excess for many but this seems ridiculous.

This tree will be in view of those in Kaesong (the joint industrial complex between the two countries). North Korea does not recognize Christmas as anything other than December 25th. They probably use the Lunar calendar so December 25th may not even be a known entity at all up there. What is the message sent? I can only imagine that it appears a giant, glowing middle finger to the 김저일 and an even larger mystery to the civilians and grunt military who see it.

My two final thoughts are that the South feels emblazened now and is possibly acting a bit recklessly. I hope that they ease off on the button pushing soon. Lastly, I call for the church in question to match the money they spend on electricity to a charity. The ludicrousness of the saga continues...

Korean Muscle Flexing

Today was an interesting day here in Korea. The South Korean Government announced that it would hold its planned live fire drills on Yeonpyeong Island. For the first time since I have been here the locals seemed on edge. I admit, I was as well. In my opinion this challenge to the North would not go without response. North Korean rhetoric was at the highest level I have ever seen. The North claimed that these exercises would result in a nuclear response. The drills were scheduled to begin at 1pm but were postponed due to fog. I spoke with my boss around 2:30pm and he seemed to believe that today may be a rough day. I threw a glance toward the blue Northern sky and hoped for the best. Thankfully the exercise was directing its fire away from the Northern coast.
Shortly after the chat with my boss the firing began. An hour later with no response from the North the day simply went on as usual. It really hit me today what many already have experienced. War does happen all too regularly. War brewing on your doorstep is a strange kind of anxiety. I can't describe the feeling. Laughter at the situation seems a natural way to cope. The situation is completely out of the hands of the masses and it makes you feel rather helpless and small.

I am quite perplexed by it all now. My instinct told me that this exercise was going to be a catalyst toward the worst. I currently don't understand either side of this bisected peninsula. The statement from the North is that the exercise "was not worth a passing thought". How strange that the rhetoric was amped up so high and diffused by such a offhand remark? How could the South choose to flirt with such a disaster in the first place? I obviously still don't understand Koreans and may never do so.

Tensions Rising (Plus North Korean media links)

Three days ago I received an email from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. It is the first such email I have received in nearly three years of living in South Korea. Rather than explain it I have just copied it here:

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is transmitting the following information through the Embassy's Warden System as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message broadly to U.S. citizens.

This warden message is being issued in response to the announcement on December 16, 2010, by the Government of the Republic of Korea that it will “hold a one-day live-fire drill on Yeonpyeong Island between Dec. 18 and 21.” The Embassy does not assess that there has been an increase in the threat environment in South Korea.

Given the increased tensions since the North Korean shelling of Yeonpyeong Island on November 23, 2010, it is understandable that U.S. citizens would be concerned regarding the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. However, the Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea that military training exercises are routinely conducted throughout South Korea throughout the year, to include civil defense drills normally held eight (8) times a year. U.S. citizens should stay informed through local media about upcoming military exercises and civil defense drills that sometimes occur at short notice and for which the Embassy will not routinely provide advance notification. The Embassy continues to closely monitor the current situation. Should the security situation change, the Embassy will update this warden message.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in South Korea are reminded of the importance of enrolling with the Embassy through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment System (STEP) website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ . U.S. citizens without internet access may register in person at the U.S. Embassy. Enrollment is a voluntary way of telling us that you, as a U.S. citizen, are in Korea, whether for a long-term stay or for a short visit. In the event of an emergency, we use enrollment information to communicate with you. This could include a family emergency in which relatives in the United States request that the Embassy contact you.

For the latest security information worldwide, U.S. citizens should regularly monitor the State Department’s website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the Unites States, or, for callers from outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

It is my fear that South Korea will hold these exercises. I am not a fan of the North but I do not understand why the South wishes to seemingly provoke. Korean methods are something of a mystery to me. For example, today I searched out North Korean official web pages in an effort to circumvent media distortion of their words. The first page I clicked (The You-Tube channel Uriminzokkiri) was blocked by the South Korean government. I will hold back any further speculation and simply provide the links I have been able to acquire. If you are in South Korea the use of a proxy server may be required.

Notable North Korean Links:

Uriminzokkiri (Korean)
Uriminzokkiri (English)
You-Tube
Twitter (English)
Twitter (Korean)
Facebook