02.02.2013 Views

09-151.pdf

09-151.pdf

09-151.pdf

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

ecurrence, punishment of those responsible and an apology. However,<br />

North Korea put the blame on the extreme-right conservatives in<br />

South Korea and asserted: “Do not expect any mercy at all from us.” It<br />

also urged the US to apologize for the acts of the South Korean soldiers<br />

and to return the submarine immediately. After the UNC had asserted<br />

that threats were improper, the same demands were repeated. 323<br />

As we have seen, after MAC plenary sessions had ceased, armistice<br />

issues were raised through secretary meetings. At the August 13, 1998<br />

secretary meeting proposed by the UNC/MAC, the KPA referred to the<br />

“Ûlchi Focus Lens Exercise” which it regarded as an aggressive and<br />

provocative act. The South mentioned a letter delivered via the Joint<br />

Duty Officers on August 11 claiming that there should be no<br />

misunderstandings about this annual regular exercise, but the KPA<br />

still regarded it as an aggressive and provocative war exercise with the<br />

North as its target. When the KPA suggested jointly creating “The New<br />

House” to discuss joint issues, the UNC/MAC argued that it would be<br />

easier to return to the MAC than to create a new body. The KPA<br />

responded that the MAC had been broken up, but the South argued<br />

that it could be restored if there was mutual consent. At the meeting<br />

requested by the UNC/MAC held on January 6, 1999, the South<br />

delivered a protest against the intrusion of a North Korean high-speed<br />

landing boat on December 17-18, 1998 into its territorial waters along<br />

the south coast. The boat was sunk in international waters. Of the<br />

four-man crew, one dead infiltrator was found. The North’s participants<br />

reported to higher authorities and then explained that the<br />

323_ Hapch’am chôngbo ponbu, ibid., 1999, pp. 445, 484-5: op. cit., 2001, p. 274:<br />

Keum, ibid., pp. 10-12. Original quotation marks.<br />

418 Peace-keeping in the Korean Peninsula

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!