North Korea will turn U.S. military bases in the region into a "sea of fire" if war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, North Korean media on Friday quoted a communist officer as saying. | "Sea Of Fire" man returns, Rantburgers rejoice! |
Earlier Friday, South Korea released its new defense white paper that mirrored its efforts to redefine half-century-old confrontation with the communist North as well as adjust its alliance with the United States. The white paper, which has been updated for the first time in four years, removes 10-year-old references to North Korea being the South's "main enemy," though it still calls the North a "direct military threat." The removal of the "main enemy" term is largely symbolic but reflects South Korea's efforts at fostering reconciliation with North Korea. The commitment of U.S. troops in the event of war appears aimed at easing concerns that Washington's plan to use U.S. troops in South Korea as rapid regional redeployments could create a security vacuum in the world's last remaining Cold War flash point. "The reinforcement plan reflects a strong U.S. commitment to defending South Korea," the South Korean white paper said.
North Korea, which accuses the United States and South Korea of preparing to invade over its nuclear weapons programs, has added more artillery pieces and missiles to its Korean People's Army, already the world's fifth largest, it said. The number of North Korean troops remained unchanged at 1.17 million. Already armed with large stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, the North is resisting U.S. pressure to give up its nuclear weapons programs. Three rounds of six-nation talks aimed at ending the programs produced no breakthroughs. The United States, the two Koreas, China, Japan and Russia are struggling to schedule a new round of talks.
