S Korea wants to conduct artillery drills

[Nuclear Unicorn]

YEONPYEONG ISLAND, South Korea (AP) - South Korean troops geared up Saturday for artillery drills on a border island shelled by North Korea last month despite Pyongyang's threat to retaliate again, as Russia and China expressed concerns over rising tensions on the divided peninsula.

The North warned Friday that it would strike even harder than before if the South went ahead with its planned drills. Four people died last month in the North's attack on Yeonpyeong Island near the tense sea border.

The U.S. supports South Korea, saying the country has a right to conduct such a military exercise. However, Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed its "extreme concern" Friday over the drills and urged South Korea to cancel them to prevent a further escalation of tensions.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20101218/D9K6BB6G0.html

Should S Korea proceed?

[RZM]

1. The North is the government that's taking the risks here

Drills are not in the same league as actual acts of violence -- such as sinking ships and shelling foreign territory with no reason. If the North goes too far, they are going to reap the whirlwind and they know it. I don't think we'll see a war on the Peninsula anytime soon.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. It does seem odd they are getting so worked up this year about what is a regular event

Makes one wonder what else is going on

[RZM]

3. It has to be the transition

Kim Jong Jr. has to earn his stripes and prove he's no pushover. Hopefully he's the last leader of that regime.

[Codeine]

4. Bullies suck ass.

Creepy little four-foot-tall bullies even more so.

[LLStarks]

5. Call NK's bluff. Blood will be on their hands if they go to war over benign drills. nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. It there is another violent response from NK, my concern would be controlling what follows

SK people are fairly pissed right now. Another military shot by the NKs could result in a surprising show of force my the SKs, out of proportion to whatever the NKs do.

Still I think they should go ahead and tell NK to pound sand

[JVS]

11. What makes you think NK is bluffing.

[Prometheus Bound]

7. Bad Weather Delays Drill by South Korea

Bad Weather Delays Drill by South Korea
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 18, 2010
YEONPYEONG ISLAND, South Korea (AP) — Military maneuvers planned by South Korea on a border island shelled by North Korea did not take place on Saturday because of bad weather, as Russia and China expressed concerns over rising tensions on the divided peninsula.

The North warned Friday that it would strike even harder than before if the South went ahead with the planned one-day firing drill. Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed “extreme concern” and urged South Korea to cancel the drill to prevent further escalation of tensions.

Russia requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Saturday, diplomats said. The Council is expected to meet on North Korea this weekend.

China, the North’s most important ally, said it opposed any acts that could heighten tensions. “In regard to what could lead to worsening the situation or any escalation of acts of sabotage of regional peace and stability, China is firmly and unambiguously opposed,” Jiang Yu, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said in a statement on Saturday.

The North warned Saturday that South Korea would face “catastrophe” if it went ahead with the planned drills, according to a government statement carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/world/asia/19korea.html

[Better Believe It]

8. "Never give in to bullies, even if it risks war": Does that rule also apply to the United States?

[Pavulon]

9. Sure. The north can take that risk if they like..

saddam had a great army in GW1, now it is all skeletons in Kuwait.

[Petrus Romanus]

12. Individual nations have an inherent right to sovereignty.

The United States has violated that right many times, but one nation's bad behavior doesn't excuse another's.

[Better Believe It]

13. So you don't support U.S. "nation building" efforts and dictates to sovereign nations?

[Petrus Romanus]

14. Does anyone here support illegal behavior by any nation? nt

[Petrus Romanus]

10. The drills are not an inherently provocative act.

North Korea cannot be allowed to dictate South Korea's internal affairs.