This weekend, the U.S. and South Korea were playing war games which caused North Korea to threaten a “physical response”. North Korean economy is expected to get worse also considering the nuclear program North Korea has along with the fact that they sunk a South Korean warship.
North Korea calls U.S. military exercises a ‘grave threat’
North Korea issued its threats as about 8,000 military personnel from the U.S. and South Korea gear up for joint military exercises beginning this weekend. ”Another example of a hostile policy” against North Korea was what Ri Tong Il, North Korean spokesman, called it, reports CNN. He went on to say that the war games are a grave threat to the Korean peninsula and also the entire Asian region. The “Invincible Spirit” exercise will be from July 25 to July 28.
Military responds to sinking of Cheonan
North Korea’s saber-rattling toward the U.S./South Korean military drills raised the level of tension that was already high in the region. The Cheonan sinking killed 46 soldiers which according to the Associated Press happened four months before the new threat. North Korea is denying playing any part although an investigation shows otherwise. Now we see North Korea’s familiar belligerence, and also the U.S. has decided that there will be no more talks with the north.
North Korea sanctions target corrupt elites
Hilary Clinton announced a program that will deny goods and funding to North Korea. The Guardian reports that U.S. sanctions are prepared to block 200 North Korean bank accounts that are allegedly connected to drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and nuclear weapons development. The South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo said North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il is believed to have stashed a $4 billion slush fund in secret accounts in Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein.
Difficulties with desperate North Koreans
South Korea and the U.S. are being threatened still by North Korea because of their continuing desperation. North Korea is already having problems with a manufacturing slump, U.S. sanctions, a reduction of international aid and poor harvests, reports Voice of America. Within the 1960’s, a famine occurred where many North Koreans died; there are concerns of it happening again. More rules and laws would be passed by the North Korean government if a famine like this were to occur.
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CNN
cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/23/north.korea.threat/index.html?npt=NP1
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/23/north-korea-threatens-physical-response
Voice of America
voanews.com/english/news/Sanctions-Expected-to-Harm-North-Korean-Economy-99090344.html?refresh=1
