DPRK warns of retaliation against S. Korea

 

Xinhua, November 25, 2010

The military of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday blamed the United States for "misrepresenting" the shelling incident, warning of retaliations if there are more "military provocations" by South Korea.

The KCNA blamed the United States for its attempt to misrepresent the shelling incident, "while thoughtlessly shielding the south Korean puppet forces who dared make a preempt shelling at the DPRK."

The exchange of artillery fire on Tuesday between the two sides killed four people.

In the notice, the DPRK army said the situation goes to prove that it is the South Korean forces "which actually violated the Armistice Agreement and it was none other than the U.S. which sparked off the conflict in the above-said waters."

The United States has publicly voiced support for South Korea after the shellings, pledging to protect South Korea and would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the Asian ally.

The shelling incident has escalated the already-tense situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Pyongyang and Seoul have blamed each other for setting off the artillery attacks.

In the notice, the DPRK military reiterated its claim that it's South Korea fired shells into DPRK territories without announcement while staging military exercises, straining the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea has reinforced the security forces in the area and ordered extra troops deployed on islands near the DPRK side on Thursday.

The latest clash was seen as an omen of further deterioration of the situation on the Peninsula following a longtime stall of the six-party talks and the sinking of a South Korean warship in late March.