Defense News ,South & North Korea :- In a recent development, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, ridiculed South Korea ability to detect weapons launches and dismissed Seoul claim that North Korea fired artillery shells into the sea. This incident unfolded as South Korea military swiftly labeled her statement as "low-level psychological warfare" and issued a stern warning of a robust response to any provocations from North Korea.
South Korea military had reported that North Korea fired shells near the disputed western sea boundary for the second consecutive day, launching over 60 rounds on Saturday following more than 200 shells the day before. Contrary to these claims, Kim Yo Jong asserted on Sunday that North Korea had only detonated blasting powder to test South Korea military detection capabilities, suggesting that their response had been a misjudgment.
Kim Yo Jong criticized the South Korean people, expressing pity for entrusting their security to what she described as "blind persons" and labeling the military as "gangsters" and "clowns in military uniforms." She even went so far as to suggest that miscalculations by the South Korean military could lead to accidental clashes, jeopardizing the safety of Seoul, a city with 10 million residents just an hour drive from the land border.
In response, South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized their close monitoring of North Korean military activities and urged North Korea to cease actions escalating tensions. They warned of an overwhelming reaction if provocations persisted.
Tensions between the two Koreas have heightened due to North Korea continuous missile tests since 2022 and South Korea expanded military training with the United States. Both countries engaged in artillery firings on Friday, violating a 2018 military agreement intended to ease tensions along their border. This agreement, designed to halt live-fire exercises and aerial surveillance, now faces the risk of collapse.
Experts speculate that Kim Jong Un may escalate weapons tests leading up to South Korea parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential elections in November. The belief is that a bolstered weapons arsenal would strengthen North Korea position for future diplomatic negotiations, seeking greater concessions from the United States.
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