The South Korean military has started preparing to resume psychological warfare against North Korea if it is found that the North had a hand in the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan on March 26. The campaign, which consisted chiefly of loudspeaker broadcasts across the demilitarized zone, was suspended in June 2004 under an agreement in inter-Korean military talks.
Defense Minister Kim Tae-young has reportedly suggested a joint anti-submarine exercise in the West Sea as a way of a show of force to U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Walter Sharp.
| So the Norks sink a SKor sub, and the SKors and the US respond by conducting a joint exercise. Boy, that'll show Kimmie who's boss ... |
"Military authorities are considering ways of resuming psychological warfare," a high-level government source said Friday. "The Joint Chiefs of Staff is reviewing the preparation period and budget required, and deciding the intensity of psychological offensives."
Anti-submarine exercises have so far mainly been conducted in the East Sea, but the Cheonan's sinking has prompted plans to hold them in the West Sea as well to warn the North off further attacks. |