South and North Korea in ‘very dangerous’ standoff, Yonhap quotes South Korea’s Lee
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a press conference during the APEC Summit on Nov 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
SEOUL – North and South Korea are in a “very dangerous situation” where an accidental clash is possible any time and it was crucial for Seoul to engage Pyongyang in dialogue, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Nov 24, according to Yonhap News.
North Korea is refusing to answer calls by Seoul to establish contact and putting up barbed wire fences along the military border, something that had not been done since the end of the 1950 to 1953 Korean War, Mr Lee was quoted saying.
“Inter-Korean ties have become very hostile and confrontational, and in the absence of even the basic level of trust, the North is showing some very extreme behaviour,” Mr Lee said, according to Yonhap.
Mr Lee was speaking to reporters on a flight from South Africa, where he attended a G20 summit, to Turkey for the last leg of his trip.
South Korea proposed military talks with North Korea on Nov 17 to discuss drawing up a clear boundary along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) to prevent armed clashes along the border which could potentially trigger a wider conflict.
North Korea has not responded or reacted to the proposal.
There have been more than 10 border intrusions by North Korean soldiers this year, some leading to South Korean troops firing warning shots under an established protocol.
Mr Lee said winning peace with North Korea will be a long-term effort, but when a firm peace regime is established, “it would be better” for South Korea and the US to cease joint military drills.
Pyongyang has condemned such exercises by the allies, calling them dress rehearsals for a nuclear war against it. About 28,500 US troops and weapons systems are stationed in South Korea. REUTERS
