The Chinese news agency Xinhua reports that North Korea wants to scrap the armistice that brought the Korean War to a halt in 1953:
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has vowed to nullify an armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War from March 11, and warned of more and stronger countermeasures if the United States and South Korea continued joint military drills.
The announcement, made by DPRK’s top Army Supreme Command on a rare appearance on the state TV, came when the UN Security Council is ironing out penalties against Pyongyang over its third nuclear test on Feb. 12. Diplomats said that a Council resolution condemning the test and toughening sanctions on DPRK will be put to a vote as early as this week.
March 11 marks the start of the annual joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises, which will involve 10,000 South Korean and 3,500 U.S. troops. The drill, dubbed Key Resolve, was denounced by DPRK’s official KCNA news agency as a prelude to an invasion.
Experts said the DPRK’s latest move aims to defy the possible new UN sanctions and seeks to replace the armistice agreement with a peace treaty that guarantees Pyongyang’s security, as requested by DPRK at the six-party talks.
Perhaps the UN should accept their challenge, ensure the Chinese stay on the side lines, and then kick his butt out of the seat of power. I can’t imagine a more closed country that would benefit from this than N Korea. Only reason that the UN didn’t finish them in the 50s was the Chinese intervention.
Comment by Dwayne — March 7, 2013 @ 10:33
Given the composition of the UN General Assembly, it’s not quite clear which side would get the most UN troops … certainly Iran and Pakistan are likely to at least consider sending “volunteers” to help out their North Korean “friends”.
Comment by Nicholas — March 7, 2013 @ 11:18