North Korea fires artillery on South Korean village

[null0010]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40329037/ns ... iapacific/

South Korea's YTN television said two people were injured, several houses were on fire and shells were still falling on Yeonpyeong island. The station broadcast pictures of thick columns of black smoke rising from the island.

Yonhap news agency, quoting a military official, said four soldiers were wounded. President Lee Myung-bak ordered officials to make sure that the firing wouldn't escalate, according to Yonhap, quoting a presidential official. YTN said between 1,200 and 1,300 people live on the island, citing an island resident.

[woodchip]

Notice how NK didn't seem to worry about collateral damage or innocent bystanders?

[null0010]

Duh, they're doing the whole \"we're insane and impossible to placate\" routine they've been pulling for decades.

[Nightshade]

Wow, they sound just like Null.

[null0010]

Wow, they sound just like Null.

Wow, you sure do know me well!

[Foil]

TB, there was no call for taking a shot like that.

-------

Anyone else curious to see how this plays out? From a quick glance at later articles today, it looks like South Korea is making it a big deal.

[Spidey]

Duh, they're doing the whole "we're insane and impossible to placate" routine they've been pulling for decades.

Must be time for another aid package.

[Avder]

Duh, they're doing the whole "we're insane and impossible to placate" routine they've been pulling for decades.

Must be time for another aid package.

Or time to hit the retaliate button.

[flip]

Actually it is a big deal, the loss of life was low, but it was still a direct attack against the soil and citizens of South Korea. Anyone else here also feel it was a direct attack against the United States seeing as we have an active occupation in that area of no less that 38 military bases?

[null0010]

Actually it is a big deal, the loss of life was low, but it was still a direct attack against the soil and citizens of South Korea. Anyone else here also feel it was a direct attack against the United States seeing as we have an active occupation in that area of no less that 38 military bases?

I don't think I would go so far as to say it was a "direct attack on the United States." Maybe if an American citizen were hurt or killed in the attack.

[flip]

Well, at the very least I guess we could agree that the United States has a vested interest in the region? More specifically, in the protection of South Korean borders, which in my understanding is the reason we were there in the first place.

[woodchip]

Hold on to your panties as CNN reports SK planning some large retaliatory response. It will be very interesting to see how this chess match plays out. Will we see a tit-for-tat response? Will Obama try to negotiate with the same success as he did for the Olympics? Will a quid pro quo happen where China stands aside as NK is dealt with in exchange for the US standing aside where Taiwan is concerned? Or will some savvy NK general decide that he would like the chaimanship and off the little pot bellied pigs running the show.

[Will Robinson]

S.Korea and the U.S. are supposedly going to have some joint military exercises in the area now. I'm thinking the message is lets see you try that again.
It could backfire in a number of ways unless we really want a war to break out so I'm not sure if it is a good idea or not. If Russia decides to quickly join N. Korea in some military exercise at the same time what do we intend to do?!? I hope who ever is in charge has thought that scenario through....

[CUDA]

more likley it will be China not Russia, also the US and S.Korea do this EVERY year. I remember sitting of the coast of S.Korea at Pohang in December of 81 freezing my A$$ off having joint war games with the S.Korean Military.