by Joseph Yun Li-sun

The regime blocks access of workers from South to the demilitarized Kaesong District, a joint industrial zone created during a thaw in bilateral relations. The Ministry of Defense responds: "We are looking at all options, including military." China continues to call for "restraint of all parties concerned."

Seoul (AsiaNews) - After the military provocations, Pyongyang chooses to use the demilitarized industrial zone in Kaesong to continue its offensive against South Korea. The Stalinist regime led by the young Kim Jong-un this morning blocked access to the industrial area, an important business district, and last example of cooperation between the two countries, to workers from the South. Seoul estimates that about 50 thousand North Korean workers are employed in the area and about 900 from South Korea.  The North has, however, stated that it will "allow" the South Korean workers to return home.

South Korean defense minister, Kim Kwan-jin, responded on Seoul's behalf: "We are looking at all options available to ensure the safety of the 861 South Korean workers in Kaesong. Among these is, of course, military action ". The new government in the South is under the magnifying glass of the international community: President Park - daughter of former Korean dictator - is considered to be "tough but not reckless."

Meanwhile, the movement of troops in both countries continues. Pyongyang, which yesterday started the cycle of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor, is reportedly massing its troops near the border to "respond to any attack." But intelligence sources say that North has no intention to start a war.

According to some Chinese blogs, citing sources from both sides of the border, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has given orders to his soldiers "not to fire the first shot" against South Korean and American forces on the border between the two Koreas. Sources cited by the blogger Fauna claim that the order was given to Kim Jong-un on March 31 last, during one of his frequent inspections at the front.

The Chinese government has intervened on the issue. The only remaining ally of the Northern regime, Beijing today launched an appeal for restraint on the Korean peninsula. Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zhang Yesui, yesterday met the ambassadors of the United States, North Korea and South Korea to express China's "great concern", and this morning the Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reiterated that the government "calls on all parties to remain calm and show restraint."

 

• korea
• pyongyang
• seoul
• kaesong
• industrial
• demilitarized
• zone
• tension
• conflict