North Korea fires artillery onto South Korean island, two marines killed

[notadmblnd]

INCHEON, South Korea (AP) — North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire Tuesday after the North shelled an island near their disputed sea border, killing at least two South Korean marines, setting dozens of buildings ablaze and sending civilians fleeing for shelter.

The clash, which put South Korea’s military on high alert, was one of the rivals’ most dramatic confrontations since the Korean War ended, and one of the few to put civilians at risk, though no nonmilitary deaths were immediately reported. Sixteen South Korean soldiers and three civilians were injured and the extent of casualties on the northern side was unknown.

more: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/11/23/news/doc4ceba1cfbc08c057037650.txt

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. this am, after this story broke, I got the shortwave going

According to one BBC report, the South Koreans had test fired one of their missiles, but did not send it in the direction of the north. The north responded with 100 or so of its own, directed to populated areas. Then the South send 80 or so shells into the North's nearest military base.

Was this a provocation by the SOUTH? Was it a mistake to test a missile when the news reports of NK's uranium purification efforts got out yesterday? Was this an effort to secretly goad NK into a military spasm, giving the US and SK the political leverage to invade NK and take out the nuke centers? We did it before in Viet Nam.

[MiniMe]

2. It was a mistake to test a missile if they didn't let the North Koreans know about the test

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. agreed.

then again, spin from countries . . . who knows what really happened?

[xor]

4. Curious about your opinion on NK actions if that is all true. Do you feel NK was justified?

If so, do you feel that the US would be justified in firing artillery in a civilian area if some country tested a missile under similar circumstances? How about Israel taking out half a block when some rockets get shot into Israel?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. no, not at all. But it does describe the problem

NK is on a hair trigger. Ergo, SK has to up its readiness. That is REALLY dangerous. Reminds me of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when sanity seemed impossible to reach. It will take some really heavy duty, and careful diplomacy. I am soooooooo glad that we have the white house. Can you imagine President Palin dealing with this crisis? OMG