The Hindu : International : N. Korea snaps hotline with S. Korea

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

International

International

N. Korea snaps hotline with S. Korea

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: North Korea on Monday snapped all links with its southern ethnic neighbour, even as the U.S. asserted that its military exercise with South Korea was not designed for an attack against Pyongyang.

Denouncing the exercise, the first of its kind since the assumption of office by President Barack Obama, Pyongyang accused Washington and Seoul of preparing for a second Korean war. And, North Korea’s state news agency quoted a military spokesman as saying it is nonsensical to maintain a normal communications channel with South Korea in these circumstances.

Having already snapped almost all links with Seoul, Pyongyang now cut off the remaining military-to-military hotline.

North Korea also ordered its military to move into combat-ready positions, according to the state agency as monitored in Seoul. And, a war might break out, if the U.S. and its allies were to intercept North Korea’s planned satellite launch, the agency warned.

On the diplomatic front, U.S. Special Envoy Stephen Bosworth, who held talks with South Korean leaders, said earlier the two sides are reaching out to Pyongyang. We want dialogue.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Menon begins dialogue with Obama team

Obama lifts curbs on stem cell research

Hu stresses stability, unity in Tibet

Karuna joins Cabinet

N. Korea snaps hotline with S. Korea

Report on Lahore attack soon

Katsav to be charged with rape