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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Nork Commandos 'Train to Occupy S.Korean Islands' |
| 2010-12-31 |
| North Korean commandos are training to occupy South Korea's five northernmost islands in the West Sea in an emergency, Radio Free Asia reported Thursday. Quoting a Chinese source familiar with North Korea, the broadcaster said sharpshooters under the North's Navy Command and the General Bureau of Reconnaissance have been conducting the drills in waters off Nampo since mid-December. The source claimed they were ordered by leader Kim Jong-il and his son and heir Jong-un. They belong to an elite unit that invariably The source said the aim is to dampen the South Korean military's determination to firmly respond to any North Korean provocations or attacks after the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in November. If North Korean troops take civilians hostage on the five islands, it would be difficult for South Korean and U.S. forces to strike back, the source speculated. The source claimed an operational plan has the North's Army Corps firing coastal artillery at the five islands on a moonless night and special forces landing in hovercraft and occupying the islands. But a South Korean government official denied the report. "It's true that North Korean troops are training in waters off Nampo, but we believe that their drills are part of routine winter drills, not practicing landing on the five West Sea islands," he said. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #7 It's probably all a ruse by the South. "Don't throw me in that there briar patch!" In any case, whether it's used to retake islands or not, it's all good training that incorporates a very wide set of skills. |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-12-31 22:53 |
| #6 Better not tell the South Koreans that. They'd likely be pissed that all those years of having ROK marines practice re-taking those islands were wasted. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2010-12-31 21:03 |
| #5 Occupying those islands would have as much impact on the resulting war as the Nazis occupying the Jersey Islands did on WWII - zip, zilch, nada. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2010-12-31 19:02 |
| #4 Nork Commandos 'Train to Occupy S.Korean Grocers' ...would be a better plan. |
| Posted by: P2kontheroad 2010-12-31 13:00 |
| #3 I would think the West Sea Islands can't be defended, as at any average time, the Norks can overwhelm the defenses. As a full out conflict would result from such a attack, it won't matter if the Norks take them all. In fact, it would be a diversion of Nork resources from the main battle(s). Any concern or effort about the islands is misplaced. Look! A squirrel! |
| Posted by: Dogsbody 2010-12-31 12:28 |
| #2 Perhaps we should spread shark chum liberaly in the waters. You think they'll stop invading to fish for sharks, Redneck Jim? ;-) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2010-12-31 09:49 |
| #1 Perhaps we should spread shark chum liberaly in the waters. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2010-12-31 03:02 |