Korean People's Army test firing 120 mm rockets
A South Korean military spokesman announced that the North Korean military (KPA) launched around 100 short-range rockets into the North Korean part of the East Sea. The missiles were launched 11 am on the 13th of July (EST) and were reported to have landed at a point around 8 kilometers north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).
Military insiders believe this is merely a drill, that the KPA is test-firing its weapons. However, ROK (Republic of Korea) surveillance personnel reported that they even witnessed North Korea soldiers firing rounds from their artillery positioned in caves facing South Korean territory from right across the maritime border, along with the missiles.
The missiles fired are believed to be around 120 mm class short-range rockets which could reach a target up to 20 kilometers away. The same expert that first reported this drill also added that none of the rockets or the rounds landed on South Korean soil. He assured the public and press that the ROK navy and army are strengthening their forces near the MDL and maritime border, preparing for the worst.
It was the first time that the KPA fired shots so close to the MDL, however. One source explained that North Korean military forces were known to carry out training programs near the city of Wonsan. Other experts took this most recent undertaking, along with the test-firing of their scud-class ballistic missiles only last week, as an act of demonstrating their defiant attitude towards the capitalist south. For 2 additional scud-class missiles were reported to have been launched and landed 20 kilometers off coast of the city of Pyeongsan.
The South Korean administration is currently under a great deal of confusion regarding North Korea’s attitude regarding the future of the two governments’ political and economic relationships. Only several days ago, the Labor Party proposed to South Korea that they allow the entrance of a team of North Korean supporters along with their athletes who will be participating in the 9th Asian Games which will be taking place in Incheon this September.
Meanwhile, the South Korean military is taking further precautions to observe the North Korean forces stationed at the border, for there have been cases where North Korea have attempted minor but violent assaults on South Korean military during important sports events. For instance, the 2nd Yeonpyeong naval battle in 2002 during the Korea-Japan World Cup, a North Korean patrol boat deliberately fired rounds at Korean naval vessels, leading to the death of 13 North Korean and 6 South Korean sailors.
