North Korea fires artillery into sea near tense border, hits South Korean island

[News_Editor]

North Korea fires artillery into sea near tense border, hits South Korean island

2010-11-23 13:28:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEOUL (BNO NEWS) -- North Korea on Tuesday fired several rounds of artillery into its side of the Yellow Sea, South Korean officials told Yonhap news agency, hitting an island where dozens of houses were reportedly on fire.

YTN TV reported, quoting witnesses, that a building on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong was hit by shells, but it was not immediately known if there were casualties. Around 60 to 70 houses were reported on fire.

According to Yonhap, shells fell at 2:34 p.m. local time off the island, but some of them landed directly on the island, said Col. Lee Bung-woo, spokesman at the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Seoul responded with its artillery firing.

The exchange of gunfire comes just after Pyongyang unveiled a vast new facility it secretly and rapidly built to enrich uranium, showing further evidence that the country is preparing to expand its nuclear arsenal.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-23

[elcent]

They are not firing into the sea as the picture proves. One South Korean soldier died so far.

[elcent]

many wounded and fleeing. The attack continues. People flee in fishing boats. Others are sent to the bunkers. People have so much fear, it is beyond description.

[moetownblues]

would this be considered an act of war. Needs to be fixed now. North Korea & China V's South Korea & the USA Sort it out now guys before things get out of hand.

[elcent]

it's definitely an act of war.

[elcent]

first step: hold Chinese imports globally and indefinitely. Strike there where it hurts them most.

Do not care of the multinational companies over there. They should learn their lessons too.

[WarpSpeed]

it's definitely an act of war.

They're already at war, it's a continuation of war and another breaking of armistice..

The Chinese need to give NK a serious head slap and wake them out of their stupor.. They need to tell them this over the top and their backing is contingent upon no further such provocation or they'll rescind their support and stand by as they get their backsides whooped big time.. Not likely to happen though I'm afraid , this is very scary stuff in deed. The child is throwing another more serious temper tantrum....

Edited November 23, 2010 by WarpSpeed

[WarpSpeed]

first step: hold Chinese imports globally and indefinitely. Strike there where it hurts them most.

Do not care of the multinational companies over there. They should learn their lessons too.

Unfortunately the entire world would learn from those lessons in todays economy.. So not realistic I'm afraid..

Edited November 23, 2010 by WarpSpeed

[elcent]

it's definitely an act of war.

They're already at war, it's a continuation of war and breaking of armistice..

The Chinese need to give NK a serious head slap and wake them out of their stupor.. They need to tell them this over the top and their backing is contingent upon no further such provocation or they'll rescind their support and stand by as they get their backsides whooped big time.. Not likely to happen though I'm afraid , this is very scary stuff in deed. The child is throwing another more serious temper tantrum....

Agreed, the ball is in China's court now. hel_l, China is even able to start a war because of a monk they are afraid of. Regardless of that, China is the mentor of rogue states and has to show responsibility and now the rest of the world has to stop imports, and if that doesn't work freeze Chinese capital in foreign countries.

Remember, Goliath was to big for David to miss.

[elcent]

As for now, it's escalating and China makes just a few cheap excuses

[bangkokrick]

it's definitely an act of war.

They're already at war, it's a continuation of war and breaking of armistice..

The Chinese need to give NK a serious head slap and wake them out of their stupor.. They need to tell them this over the top and their backing is contingent upon no further such provocation or they'll rescind their support and stand by as they get their backsides whooped big time.. Not likely to happen though I'm afraid , this is very scary stuff in deed. The child is throwing another more serious temper tantrum....

Agreed, the ball is in China's court now. hel_l, China is even able to start a war because of a monk they are afraid of. Regardless of that, China is the mentor of rogue states and has to show responsibility and now the rest of the world has to stop imports, and if that doesn't work freeze Chinese capital in foreign countries.

Remember, Goliath was to big for David to miss.

Hang on, it was NK that carried out the attack, so why blame China for it. NK is the aggressor in this case,so how could the Chinese have stopped it?

Rick

[Jingthing]

Imagine if NK does fall. While a victory for freedom loving people, imagine the horror show for China and especially South Korea having to deal with all those brainwashed people. In a word -- massively destabilizing. This may be a case of be careful what you wish for. Maybe this is too cynical, but maybe China's desire for a status quo in Korea isn't the worse possible outcome of this.

Edited November 23, 2010 by Jingthing

[SergeiY]

it's definitely an act of war.

They're already at war, it's a continuation of war and breaking of armistice..

The Chinese need to give NK a serious head slap and wake them out of their stupor.. They need to tell them this over the top and their backing is contingent upon no further such provocation or they'll rescind their support and stand by as they get their backsides whooped big time.. Not likely to happen though I'm afraid , this is very scary stuff in deed. The child is throwing another more serious temper tantrum....

Agreed, the ball is in China's court now. hel_l, China is even able to start a war because of a monk they are afraid of. Regardless of that, China is the mentor of rogue states and has to show responsibility and now the rest of the world has to stop imports, and if that doesn't work freeze Chinese capital in foreign countries.

Remember, Goliath was to big for David to miss.

Hang on, it was NK that carried out the attack, so why blame China for it. NK is the aggressor in this case,so how could the Chinese have stopped it?

Rick

They hate the Chinese and everything else that isn't like them. Xenophobia. There is no rational or logical explanation for that.

My guess is they are also pro invasion and pro war in Afghanistan and Iraq, because its somehow against Muslims.

[moetownblues]

Nobody is blaming the Chinese for this but China is probably the closest thing that the North Koreans have as a friend. China would be the only ones who could take them by the scruff of the neck, give then a decent foot up the arse and tell then to behave. I think the only other country who will speak to N/K is Iran.

[Jingthing]

Nobody is blaming the Chinese for this but China is probably the closest thing that the North Koreans have as a friend. China would be the only ones who could take them by the scruff of the neck, give then a decent foot up the arse and tell then to behave. I think the only other country who will speak to N/K is Iran.

Burma too I think.

[bangkokrick]

I am in China now and the Chinese guys that I am working with are as much shocked about this act of aggression as we Westerners are. The last thing that China needs right now is this.

Rick

[Jingthing]

I am in China now and the Chinese guys that I am working with are as much shocked about this act of aggression as we Westerners are. The last thing that China needs right now is this.

Rick

That's not very surprising at all. They want the status quo. A potential actual arms war (involving S. Korea, Japan, and the U.S.) is about as far from the status quo as it gets.

[WarpSpeed]

it's definitely an act of war.

Agreed, the ball is in China's court now. hel_l, China is even able to start a war because of a monk they are afraid of. Regardless of that, China is the mentor of rogue states and has to show responsibility and now the rest of the world has to stop imports, and if that doesn't work freeze Chinese capital in foreign countries.

Remember, Goliath was to big for David to miss.

Hang on, it was NK that carried out the attack, so why blame China for it. NK is the aggressor in this case,so how could the Chinese have stopped it?

Rick

They hate the Chinese and everything else that isn't like them. Xenophobia. There is no rational or logical explanation for that.

My guess is they are also pro invasion and pro war in Afghanistan and Iraq, because its somehow against Muslims.

<deleted> are you on about? I think my Chinese wife would be offended by your inference. Do have any clue about world politics and moreover regional politics and who influences who??

[WarpSpeed]

Nobody is blaming the Chinese for this but China is probably the closest thing that the North Koreans have as a friend. China would be the only ones who could take them by the scruff of the neck, give then a decent foot up the arse and tell then to behave. I think the only other country who will speak to N/K is Iran.

Exactly... It's their problem child making trouble for the rest of the region and the world.. And to answer JingThing that's all the more reason for China to reel in their troublesome spawn...

[WarpSpeed]

I am in China now and the Chinese guys that I am working with are as much shocked about this act of aggression as we Westerners are. The last thing that China needs right now is this.

Rick

Yeah they have their own politics going on with Japan and just had another confrontation today I heard on the radio but didn't hear the entire report..

[bangkokrick]

I am in China now and the Chinese guys that I am working with are as much shocked about this act of aggression as we Westerners are. The last thing that China needs right now is this.

Rick

Yeah they have their own politics going on with Japan and just had another confrontation today I heard on the radio but didn't hear the entire report..

They also have raging inflation which amounts to basic food stuff increasing in price by as much as 40% and on top of that there is a major fuel shortage, which is obviously affecting transportation big time.

Rick

[scorecard]

Wonder what the longer term forcast is.

Seems that the currenr dear leader is quite ill and perhaps won't be around much longer or perhaps won't be well enough to be actively involved.

Most would have noticed that recemtly one of the younger sons was annointed as the next leader.

So I wonder what attitudes / behaviors / skills, etc., the annointed son will show when he takes the reins? And, I wonder whether he has been educated to have much broader knowledge of the world, how other countries run, etc., etc.

Will he: be more logical, realize that his people are starving and his country is going backwards, realize that their brand of communism doesn't work? And do something to change it all?

But will he actualy have the total power to do that? Does anybody really know how much political power the mitilary has? Would the military pull the son back to the line created by his father and grandafther if he tried to change philosophies? Would the deep cult following of the two before him in fact control the situation?

[bangkokrick]

Wonder what the longer term forcast is.

Seems that the currenr dear leader is quite ill and perhaps won't be around much longer or perhaps won't be well enough to be actively involved.

Most would have noticed that recemtly one of the younger sons was annointed as the next leader.

So I wonder what attitudes / behaviors / skills, etc., the annointed son will show when he takes the reins? And, I wonder whether he has been educated to have much broader knowledge of the world, how other countries run, etc., etc.

Will he: be more logical, realize that his people are starving and his country is going backwards, realize that their brand of communism doesn't work? And do something to change it all?

But will he actualy have the total power to do that? Does anybody really know how much political power the mitilary has? Would the military pull the son back to the line created by his father and grandafther if he tried to change philosophies? Would the deep cult following of the two before him in fact control the situation?

He was apparently educated in Switzerland, so there may be some hope going forward. Maybe the Korean banks and chocolate will improve.

Rick

[Moonrakers]

I have read that the son is even more tyrannical that his old man.

[SergeiY]

Hang on, it was NK that carried out the attack, so why blame China for it. NK is the aggressor in this case,so how could the Chinese have stopped it?

Rick

They hate the Chinese and everything else that isn't like them. Xenophobia. There is no rational or logical explanation for that.

My guess is they are also pro invasion and pro war in Afghanistan and Iraq, because its somehow against Muslims.

<deleted> are you on about? I think my Chinese wife would be offended by your inference. Do have any clue about world politics and moreover regional politics and who influences who??

And on the opposite - will your Chinese wife be happy about the things member elcent here suggest? He seems to be quite an expert in world politics and moreover regional politics and who influences who and how should proper dealt with it.

first step: hold Chinese imports globally and indefinitely. Strike there where it hurts them most.

Do not care of the multinational companies over there. They should learn their lessons too.

[elcent]

I stand by my comments and it is not so difficult to imagine when a couple of thousand people in each country start to block the shelves with Chinese products and block the ports. Soldiers in civilized countries don't shoot their own people, so no worries about that (hint hint).

Today China admitted to be the worlds number one polluter, why not help them to solve the problem? It's not the individual people from China, but the regime that got many things wrong for which there are far to many, a similar regime aka NK and vs versa and with only one difference, there is a lot to lose.

I wish that the Chinese intellectuals and good people, there are plenty and they are being suppressed, could stand up and get over this schizophrenic regime.

Smart? Yes, this regime is smart but can't hide the truth of its wrongs infinitely.

By thinking that China (regime) has nothing to do with this cowardice attack is like denying ones own children. Who has mothered and nurtured this rogue state? - and are there comforting remarks for South Korea from that direction? Any condemnation for the attacks? Please let me know. I'll be glad to apologize then. But it must have happened already by now.

Once the peaceful measures of rejecting goods from China will get NK in line in a jiffy, you can bet on it if you want to.

I could have chosen a diplomatic career, but then I could not speak the truth today. So let it be out there now for what many think and know.

[elcent]

This is just hilarious, Kim and his super nanny

(in German) if someone wants to translate it's real fun

Yes, and there's parole

[geriatrickid]

Imagine if NK does fall. While a victory for freedom loving people, imagine the horror show for China and especially South Korea having to deal with all those brainwashed people. In a word -- massively destabilizing. This may be a case of be careful what you wish for. Maybe this is too cynical, but maybe China's desire for a status quo in Korea isn't the worse possible outcome of this.

And that is why no one wants a war. Imagine millions of North Koreans fleeing through minefields to China, a rain of North Korean missiles on every major city in South Korea & Japan and the distinct possibility of a nuclear fallout cloud drifting over North America and Europe. North Korea has biological and chemical weapons. The world is not capable of responding to that. A war would bankrupt the USA, and cause the EU to fall apart over the political strain heaped upon the current precarious financial condition. China without foreign export markets to maintain the advancing Chinese standard of living would erupt with civil disorder. And then the pesky al Qaeda nuts would seize the opportunity to launch full out assaults. Iran would make its move to dominate the Gulf States knowing that the USA and the EU would be incapable of a response

You are correct: We do not need another world war and possible collapse of civilization as we know it. China has to reign in North Korea, but will Kim's state listen?

Let's hope we can avoid the Armageddon.

[chuck6660]

Imagine if NK does fall. While a victory for freedom loving people, imagine the horror show for China and especially South Korea having to deal with all those brainwashed people. In a word -- massively destabilizing. This may be a case of be careful what you wish for. Maybe this is too cynical, but maybe China's desire for a status quo in Korea isn't the worse possible outcome of this.

And that is why no one wants a war. Imagine millions of North Koreans fleeing through minefields to China, a rain of North Korean missiles on every major city in South Korea & Japan and the distinct possibility of a nuclear fallout cloud drifting over North America and Europe. North Korea has biological and chemical weapons. The world is not capable of responding to that. A war would bankrupt the USA, and cause the EU to fall apart over the political strain heaped upon the current precarious financial condition. China without foreign export markets to maintain the advancing Chinese standard of living would erupt with civil disorder. And then the pesky al Qaeda nuts would seize the opportunity to launch full out assaults. Iran would make its move to dominate the Gulf States knowing that the USA and the EU would be incapable of a response

You are correct: We do not need another world war and possible collapse of civilization as we know it. China has to reign in North Korea, but will Kim's state listen?

Let's hope we can avoid the Armageddon.

Right-on Geriatric! Also China likes the idea of a authoriatarion, communist gov't, beholden to them on their border, more than a thriving western democracy allied with the US.

BTW, life here in Seoul hasn't missed a beat, last night I was bike riding along the Han River, restaurants and river boats all lit up.