이벤트

The South Korean military admitted the drills were stronger than initially planned. “The intensity of the West Sea drills was higher than planned,” a South Korean official was quoted as saying, going on to state that, “Participating troops conducted live-fire shooting and bombing drills.” U.S. officials added that the drills were defensive in nature yet they were resolute about a show of force that would act as a “deterrent” against the North. In response, Kim Jong-il’s government issued a strong statement. “Escalated confrontation will lead to a war,” a North Korean state agency said, adding that the regime was “Fully ready to give a shower of dreadful fire and blow up the bulwark of the enemies if they dare to encroach on our territory again.”

The surprise daylight attack on Yeonpyeong was reportedly the first time that the North had targeted civilians in South Korean territory since the 1950-53 Korean War. The waters around the island lie close to the Northern Limit Line (NLL), a sea boundary drawn by the UN after the 1953 armistice agreement. However the NLL is not recognized by the North and while they do not dispute the sovereignty of Yeonpyeong and the neighboring islands they do lay claim to the waters around the islands. Prior to the attack South Korean forces were carrying out exercises on the island on November 23. North Korea labeled these drills as a provocation for their barrage on Yeonpyeong.

While the incident brought international condemnation, the sole ally of North Korea, China, refused to blame any one nation. On the other hand they warned against the U.S. sending forces into the West Sea. However, in the wake of the incident, China did put forward an offer for an unofficial six party meeting in Beijing to smooth over tensions on the Korean peninsula.

As the nation regains its composure in the aftermath of the North’s provocation and continues to boost troops and weapons on the West Sea islands, questions are still being asked as to why the North attacked in the first place. Suggestions have including the rich fishing waters around Yeonpyeong and an increasing need for aid as a result of President Lee’s anti-Sunshine Policy approach. However, the most popular explanation is that a changeover of power is taking place, with the frail Kim Jong-il passing leadership over to his appointed successor, Kim Jong-eun. In order for this to happen a show of strength is crucial, which could explain this recent provocation.

Whatever the reason behind the attack the allied forces of South Korea and the U.S. are taking no chances. In addition to the 97,000-ton George Washington other ships involved in the recent exercises included the 9,600-ton USS Cowpens, the 9,750-ton USS Shiloh and the USS Stethem, which joined South Korean destroyers, frigates and aircraft. While the tensions could very well subside again the nation has chosen to send a strong message to the North. Yet only time will tell if they will heed this call.

한미 군사합동훈련 실시

연평도 사건에 이어, 미국과 남한은 북한에 강한 메시지를 전하려고 시도했다. 11월 23일 네 명의 사람들을 사망하게 한 폭격의 결과 원자력을 동력으로 하는 USS 조지 워싱턴호는 외국의 6천명의 선원들과 75명의 전투기와 함께, 군사 훈련에 참여하고 북쪽으로 뚜렷한 경고를 주기 위해 서해로 항해했다.

분쟁을 벌이는 서해 근처의 연평도에 북한의 대포 공격은 비판적인 관점에서 한반도에 긴장감을 불러 일으켰다. 작년 핵실험과 천안함 침몰이 남한과 북한 간에 문제를 일으킨 동안 한국을 향한 싸늘한 대포 공격이 국제적인 관심을 유발했다. 북한으로부터 겨우 20km 떨어진, 연평도 공격에 답하여, 한국 대통령 이명박과 미국 대통령 버락 오바마는 은둔 공산국가에 맞서 완강히 저항하기로 약속했다.

그 응답은 11월 28일과 12월 1일 수요일 사이에 일어난 한국 군사 훈련에 참여하기 위해 거대한 항공 모함을 보내주는 모습을 나타냈다. 훈련이 연평도 공격이 발생하기 전에 잘 계획되어 있었던 반면, 그 훈련은 USS 조지 워싱턴호 한층 더한 도발을 생각한 경우에 대비해 무력의 과시로 사용 될 것으로 결정되었다.