The dust has settled and the world can view the sudden assault on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island from North Korea with clearer eyes. The final casualty toll of the attacks are 2 soldiers and 2 construction workers dead, and at least 18 injured. Most of the 1200 civilians living on the island, of whom fishing is their primary trade, have been evacuated by the government.
While tensions remain high, and the South Korean military on high alert, it seems unlikely that North Korea will attempt another such attack anytime soon. Despite belligerent announcements from the state that the peninsula is on the brink of an all-out war, the artillery assault on the island seems little more than a move to bolster support for fledgling leader-to-be Kim Jong-Un, and as justification for the military-above-all-else policies of the KWP.
Reactions from South Koreans have been mixed. Many are critical of the government’s response and demanding fierce retaliation. Others fear an escalation of tensions may lead to all out war between the Koreas. South Korea’s won has fallen sharply since the attack over fears from foreign investment that a war may be looming. The government appears to be dancing around the issue in order to maintain economic stability. South Korea is presently the 14th largest economy in the world. The South Korean government has cancelled all planned food, medical and construction aid to the North.
North Korea has responded to the attacks blaming South Korean military exercises for “provoking” them. The South responded immediately to the attacks with their own volley of artillery fire, but state media is not reporting on the extent of damages, though it is believed to largely outnumber the damage done to Yeonpyeong. Most foreign countries have condemned the North Korean attack, especially South Korea’s strongest ally, the US. The Obama administration has once again pledged to protect and defend South Korea if all-out war should break out. China, as usual, has remained more-or-less mum on the issue, choosing only to protest the planned war exercises between US and South Korean militaries.
B.R. Myers, esteemed author of The Cleanest Race and holding a PhD in North Korean literature, spoke to NPR regarding the recent attack. He points out that this is the first time since the Korean War cease-fire that the North has fired upon a civilian population with artillery shells. He notes that although this is probably the most serious incident between the Koreas since the 1950-1953 war, South Korean civilian reaction is fairly tame. They have grown up to be accustomed to these sorts of provocations, so for many it is business as usual. Russia has condemned the attacks as well and has called for calm on the peninsula.
More artillery fire has been heard on the Northern side, possibly due to training and targeting practice. Kim Jong-Il and son have allegedly visited the site where the artillery weapons were fired from (picture above is the duo touring a soya sauce factory days earlier) The US and South Korean militaries will begin military exercises on Sunday, which often leads to further saber-rattling from the North. Let’s see what the weekend has in store…
Source: Yahoo! News via AFP / KCNA / NPR / Reuters
