10 April 2013 (14:35 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Jumada l-Ula 1434/21 Farvardin 1391/01 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711
The ROK bank, NongHyup Bank, reporting that its internet banking service is paralyzed. They do not know why. Technicians are working at their operating system location in Anseong, they hope to have it solved before tomorrow.
10 April 2013 (00:29 UTC-07 Tango)/29 Jumada l-Ula 1434/21 Farvardin 1391/01 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711
China has closed a border crossing with North Korea: “Travel agencies are not allowed to take tourist groups to go there, since the North Korean government is now asking foreign people to leave.”-unnamed official with the Dandong Border Office
South Korean media reporting that military satellite imagery shows multiple ICBMs ready for launch in North Korea. The missiles include short range Scud, medium range Nodong as well as the BM25 Musudan: “There are clear signs that the North could simultaneously fire off Musudan, Scud and Nodong missiles.”-unnamed ROK spokesman
09 April 2013 (14:35 UTC-07 Tango)/28 Jumada l-Ula 1434/20 Farvardin 1391/29 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
“We believe that foreigners in South Korea as well as our nationals will be unfazed as they have great confidence and trust in our military and the Republic of Korea.”–Kim Haing, ROK presidential spokeswoman
Officials in Republic of Korea say the DPRK’s warning that foreigners should leave South Korea is nothing more than psychological warfare.
And in front of the U.S. Congress, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Locklear, said that U.S. forces would shoot down a DPRK missile if it was targeting the United States or an ally. But, he “would not recommend” shooting it down if it is truly a test launch that does not target anyone.
09 April 2013 (02:11 UTC-07 Tango)/28 Jumada l-Ula 1434/20 Farvardin 1391/29 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is warning all foreigners in South Korea to prepare to evacuate: “The committee informs all foreign institutions and enterprises and foreigners including tourists in Seoul and all other parts of South Korea that they are requested to take measures for shelter and evacuation in advance for their safety.”-DPRK Asia-Pacific Peace Committee statement
In the Republic of Korea, the Finance Supervisory Service (FSS) has asked South Korean banks to hold off on collecting debts from the capitalist companies working in the now closed Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR).
09 April 2013 (23:29 UTC-07 Tango 06 08 April 2013)/28 Jumada l-Ula 1434/20 Farvardin 1391/29 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
“North Korea’s rhetoric, attitude and actions are provocative. North Korea’s actions pose a threat to regional and international security. They’re irresponsible; they are in defiance of the international community. So I have a very clear message to North Korea. Stop what you are saying. Stop what you are doing.”-Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General
South Korea is not a member of NATO, but is an associate, having sent troops to Afghanistan as part of the U.S. led ISAF/NATO occupation.
The warning from NATO came as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced a ballistic missile test for 10 April 2013. Analysts think it is one of North Korea’s new untested medium rang ballistic missiles (BM25 Musudan).
“Any future nuclear test or missile launch would be in direct violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and would lead to further pressure and isolation.”–Patrick Ventrell, U.S. State Department spokesman
The Republic of Korea is also issuing survival manuals to South Korean residents living along the 38th parallel.
In the city of Goyang, 50000 manuals with instructions and maps showing air raid shelters were distributed. More manuals were posted at bus stops.
The survival manuals also contain instructions on what do to in the event of nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) attacks.
The Korean Peninsula has been put in the state of war due to the serious anti-DPRK moves of the U.S. and south Korean authorities and their moves for a nuclear war.
Not content with escalating military tension together with the U.S., the south Korean conservatives, in particular, are running the whole gamut of intrigues to find a pretext for igniting a war against the DPRK after reducing the Kaesong Industrial Zone to a theatre of confrontation.
Defying the repeated warnings of the DPRK, the south Korean confrontation maniacs are letting loose a string of invectives hurting the dignity of the DPRK, talking about “source of money”, “detention” and “hostages”. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin revealed his sinister intention to introduce a special unit of the U.S. forces into the zone, vociferating about an operation for “rescuing hostages”.
This goes to prove that the south Korean warmongers seek to turn the zone into a hotbed of war against the DPRK.
By origin, the zone was built as a symbol of reconciliation, cooperation and reunification after the DPRK granted a privilege to Jong Ju Yong, honorary chairman of Hyundai Group of south Korea, valuing his patriotic will for reunification.
The DPRK’s offer to south Korean enterprises a vast area near the Military Demarcation Line where armed forces of the north and the south are standing in acute confrontation was a bold decision based on ardent love for the nation and compatriotism and a manifestation of the firm will for independent reunification, peace and prosperity based on the spirit of “By our nation itself” clarified in the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
When traitor Lee Myung Bak did serious harm to the inter-Korean relations in all aspects, getting hell-bent on confrontation after coming to power, the zone remained unaffected by it thanks to the desire and will of all Koreans in the north and the south for reunification and kept its operations for common prosperity.
But the zone is now in the grip of a serious crisis.
The zone, a product of the June 15 joint declaration, has been reduced to a theater of confrontation with fellow countrymen and military provocation, quite contrary to its original nature and mission due to such hideous confrontation maniacs as Kim Kwan Jin. This situation can no longer be tolerated.
The south Korean conservative forces claim that the DPRK will never give up the zone as it benefits from the industrial zone, but it gets few economic benefits from the zone while the south side largely benefits from it.
The DPRK provided an area of military strategic importance to the south side, in particular. This meant a big concession.
It is a tragedy that the industrial zone which should serve purposes of national reconciliation, unity, peace and reunification has been reduced to a theatre of confrontation between compatriots and war against the north. The existence of such zone is no better than nothing.
The DPRK is compelled to make an important decision related to the issue of the industrial zone now that the south Korean authorities abuse the generosity and compatriotism of the DPRK for their hostile purpose.
Upon authorization, I declare the following important steps as regards the crisis in the Kaesong Industrial Zone:
1. The DPRK will withdraw all its employees from the zone.
2. It will temporarily suspend the operations in the zone and examine the issue of whether it will allow its existence or close it as the south Korean authorities and military warmongers seek to turn it into a hotbed of confrontation between compatriots and war against the DPRK, hurting its dignity.
The General Bureau for Central Guidance to the Development of the Special Zone will be responsible for the working matters related to the important steps including the withdrawal of the employees and the temporary suspension of the operations in the zone.
How the situation will develop in the days ahead will entirely depend on the attitude of the south Korean authorities.
Kim Yang Gon, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea
09 April 2013 (18:40 UTC-07 Tango 06 08 April 2013)/28 Jumada l-Ula 1434/20 Farvardin 1391/29 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
Member of Republic of Korea’s National Assembly, Chung Mong-joon, is in Washington DC, telling President Barack Obama that South Korea must be allowed to have nuclear weapons, for use against China!
Chung says China has forgotten about its renegade ally, North Korea. He thinks allowing South Korea to have nukes would force the Chinese to realize how serious the situation is.
In another development, South Korea’s Ministry of Security and Public Administration, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), say there are not enough shelters for an expected flood of refugees caused by a Second Korean War.
08 April 2013 (13:55 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
After nine years of operation Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is officially pulling out 53000 communist workers from the Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR).
Because the cheap North Korean workers are the overwhelming majority of workers at the KIR, the move effectively shuts down operations for capitalist South Korean companies.
Republic of Korean officials are holding North Korea responsible for effectively destroying South Korean companies, and said they “…will look into areas as compensations for businesses affected.”
08 April 2013 (01:00 UTC-07 Tango 06)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
“Given economic conditions, it’s hard to reopen the Kaesong Industrial Park once it is closed down. Closure of the Kaesong park will inevitably lead to economic damage to South Korea….”-Hwang Woo-yea, of South Korea’s ruling political party Saenuri
Republic of Korea’s Unification Minister, Ryoo Kihl-jae, believes the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is about to conduct a forth nuclear weapons test. He refused to explain to South Korean media why he thinks that.
ROK Ministry of Defense downplayed the claim by Ryoo, saying their intelligence shows no movement in the area where the last nuke test took place.
However, a South Korean media source said there was increased activity at a test site in the northeast part of North Korea.
A ROK medic team based at the Kaesŏng Industrial Region (KIR) has left the area. The DPRK continues its blockade of the KIR, several South Korean capitalist companies have ceased operations as a result.
A representative of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), Kim Yang-gon, visited KIR and told communist workers to prepare for all possibilities.
08 April 2013 (19:55 UTC-07 Tango 06 April 2013)/27 Jumada l-Ula 1434/19 Farvardin 1391/28 Yi-Mao (2nd month) 4711
“….He has asked the Senate Armed Services Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee-Defense to excuse his absence until he can testify at a later date….”-USFK statement
U.S. Army General James Thurman, canceled his trip to testify before Congress, citing the fact that his U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) have been put on high alert.
Republic of Korea (ROK) Army General Jung Seung-jo, also canceled his trip to Washington DC, for similar reasons.
The Chinese President Xi Jinping, warned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea not “…to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos…”
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that China “…does not allow any troublemaking on China’s doorstep.”