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Koreas again slide into Cold War standoff Koreas again slide into Cold War standoff
(about 5 hours later)
SEOUL — North Korea trumpets a hydrogen bomb test. South Korea responds by blasting harsh propaganda from giant green speakers aimed across the demilitarized zone. It may sound like just a war of dissonance, but now Pyongyang is threatening war. SEOUL — North Korea trumpets a hydrogen bomb test. South Korea responds by blasting harsh propaganda from giant green speakers aimed across the demilitarized zone. It may sound like a war of dissonance, but now Pyongyang is threatening actual war.
As the world looked Saturday for ways to punish the North over a nuclear test that pushes Pyongyang closer to its goal of a ­nuclear-armed missile that can reach the U.S. mainland, the two Koreas have quickly slid into the kind of Cold War-era standoff that has defined their relationship over the past seven decades. As the world looked Saturday for ways to punish the North over a nuclear test that pushes Pyongyang closer to its goal of a ­nuclear-armed missile that can reach the U.S. mainland, the two Koreas have slid into the kind of Cold War-era standoff that has defined their relationship over the past seven decades.
A top North Korean ruling party official’s warning that the South’s broadcasts have pushed the Korean Peninsula “toward the brink of war” is typical of Pyongyang’s over-the-top rhetoric. But it is also indicative of the real fury that the broadcasts, which criticize the country’s revered dictatorship, cause in the North.A top North Korean ruling party official’s warning that the South’s broadcasts have pushed the Korean Peninsula “toward the brink of war” is typical of Pyongyang’s over-the-top rhetoric. But it is also indicative of the real fury that the broadcasts, which criticize the country’s revered dictatorship, cause in the North.
Seoul resumed the cross-border broadcasts Friday for the first time in nearly five months. When South Korea briefly resumed propaganda broadcasts in August after an 11-year break, the two Koreas exchanged artillery fire.Seoul resumed the cross-border broadcasts Friday for the first time in nearly five months. When South Korea briefly resumed propaganda broadcasts in August after an 11-year break, the two Koreas exchanged artillery fire.
[Reported North Korean nuclear test signals snub of China, fraying ties][Reported North Korean nuclear test signals snub of China, fraying ties]
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing an anonymous military source, reported late Saturday that the North had started its own broadcasts, presumably to keep its soldiers from hearing the South Korean broadcasts. The North’s broadcasts were too weak to hear clearly on the South Korean side of the border. South Korean military officials would not confirm the Yonhap report.South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing an anonymous military source, reported late Saturday that the North had started its own broadcasts, presumably to keep its soldiers from hearing the South Korean broadcasts. The North’s broadcasts were too weak to hear clearly on the South Korean side of the border. South Korean military officials would not confirm the Yonhap report.
Besides the “brink of war” comment, Workers’ Party Secretary Kim Ki Nam said in comments broadcasts on state television Friday that Pyongyang’s rivals are “jealous” of the North’s successful hydrogen bomb test. Many outside governments and experts, however, question whether the blast was in fact a powerful hydrogen test. Besides the “brink of war” comment, Workers’ Party Secretary Kim Ki Nam said in comments broadcast on state television Friday that Pyongyang’s rivals are “jealous” of the North’s successful hydrogen bomb test. Many outside governments and experts, however, question whether the blast was in fact a powerful hydrogen test.
[Global powers condemn North Korea’s nuclear weapons test][Global powers condemn North Korea’s nuclear weapons test]
South Korean troops, near about 10 sites where loudspeakers started blaring propaganda Friday, were on the highest alert but have not detected any unusual movement from North Korea, said an official from Seoul’s Defense Ministry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing office rules.South Korean troops, near about 10 sites where loudspeakers started blaring propaganda Friday, were on the highest alert but have not detected any unusual movement from North Korea, said an official from Seoul’s Defense Ministry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing office rules.
The South’s Yonhap news agency said Seoul had deployed missiles, artillery and other weapons systems near the border to swiftly deal with any possible North Korean provocation. The ministry did not confirm the report.The South’s Yonhap news agency said Seoul had deployed missiles, artillery and other weapons systems near the border to swiftly deal with any possible North Korean provocation. The ministry did not confirm the report.
Officials said broadcasts from the South’s loudspeakers can travel about 6 miles during the day and 15 miles at night. Seoul also planned to use mobile speakers to broadcast from a small South Korean island a few miles from North Korean shores. Officials said broadcasts from the South’s loudspeakers can travel about six miles during the day and 15 miles at night. Seoul also planned to use mobile speakers to broadcast from a small South Korean island a few miles from North Korean shores.
While the South’s broadcasts also include news and pop music, much of the programming challenges North Korea’s government more directly.While the South’s broadcasts also include news and pop music, much of the programming challenges North Korea’s government more directly.
“We hope that our fellow Koreans in the North will be able to live in a society that doesn’t invade individual lives as soon as possible,” a female presenter said in parts of the broadcast that officials revealed to South Korean media. “Countries run by dictatorships even try to control human instincts.”“We hope that our fellow Koreans in the North will be able to live in a society that doesn’t invade individual lives as soon as possible,” a female presenter said in parts of the broadcast that officials revealed to South Korean media. “Countries run by dictatorships even try to control human instincts.”
Marathon talks by the Koreas in August eased anger and stopped the broadcasts, which Seoul started after blaming North Korean land mines for maiming two soldiers. It might be more difficult to do so now. Seoul cannot stand down easily, some analysts say, and it is highly unlikely that the North will express regret for its nuclear testing, which is a source of intense national pride.Marathon talks by the Koreas in August eased anger and stopped the broadcasts, which Seoul started after blaming North Korean land mines for maiming two soldiers. It might be more difficult to do so now. Seoul cannot stand down easily, some analysts say, and it is highly unlikely that the North will express regret for its nuclear testing, which is a source of intense national pride.
— Associated Press— Associated Press