North Korea has offered South Korea a new round of reunions for families separated by the Korean War.
Last reunions of separated families took place in September and October 2009 and their proposed renewal could signal an easing of tensions after the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship in March 2010……….
South Korean Coast Guard have stated today that North Korea has seized a South Korean fishing boat in waters near their eastern sea border. The incident has come at a time when tension is high between the two Koreas….
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao
China broke silence on 30th May when its Premier Wen Jiabao called for proper handling of Cheonan incident, defusing tension and avoiding any possible conflict. He was addressing a joint press conference after a summit meeting. Chinese Premier urged all North East Asian nations must help in maintaining peace and stability . He assured that China will continue to enhance communication with relevant parties to steer the situation towards peace and stability in the region.
The two day summit at a South Korean resort island was organized to defuse current tension.It was attended by Prime Ministers of China & Japan and President of South Korea.
The summit assumes importance because China participated in the consultations and supported peace & stability in the region for the first time during the present crisis. Chinese influence over North Korea will have to be leveraged properly for return to normalcy.
60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War is on 25 June 2010 and the peninsula is once again in the limelight due to flaring up of tensions between South & North Korea. Current state is due to sinking of South Korean warship Cheonan on 26 March10 allegedly by North Korean torpedo.
Obama administration has stood solidly with South and supporting its all demands. North Korea on the other hand seems to be standing alone as China has not taken any open stand till now.
South Korea conducted an anti submarine exercise in Yellow Sea on27 May.North Korea has reacted by saying that it would meet confrontation with confrontation and war with an all out war. Such action and reaction will lead to further escalation. Care must be taken to ensure that minor issues are not allowed to spin out of control and trigger an all out war. Repercussions of full blown war with nuclear capable North Korea could be disastrous for all.
Diplomatic initiatives must be undertaken to resolve the crisis. UN will have to involve USA and China to steer the Korean peninsula clear of the crisis.
Korean peninsula is on the boil.The Cheonan, a warship of South Korea sunk on 26 March after a torpedo hit; 46 sailors lost their lives. Results of an official investigation by South Korea, announced on 20 May 2010, has concluded that North Korea fired the torpedo resulting in casualty of sailors.
President Lee of South Korea announced today that his country is suspending trade with North Korea, closing its waters for Norths ships and adopting a new aggressive military posture. He has demanded an apology from North Korea and asked them to punish those responsible for the attack.
USA,which has a presence of about 30000 military persons in South Korea,has extended full support ,including military, and endorsed the demands of President Lee.
North Korea has denied its involvement in the incident and blamed South for false implication.They have threatened to go to any extent in retaliation.
It must be clearly understood that belligerent stances and heightened tension in Korean peninsula will further complicate the situation. Restraint must be exercised and UN effort to review the findings of the investigation by 11 member neutral international team must be supported.
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