North Korea is suspected of preparing another provocation on or around Oct. 10 or Oct. 18, South Korea’s top security official revealed on Wednesday.
According to local political parties, whose chiefs met with President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday, National Security Council chief Chung Eui-yong revealed the information citing a classified report. Oct. 10 is the anniversary of the North Korean ruling party’s foundation, and the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is scheduled for Oct. 18.
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President Moon Jae-in (third from right) and leaders of political parties attend a briefing in the National Security Council situation room in Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday. Yonhap |
The report also said that the US is considering military action against North Korea, and that heightened tensions are feeding concerns that a military clash could be initiated accidentally.
At the meeting, which brought together leaders of four parties -- the Democratic Party, the People’s Party, the Bareun Party and the Justice Party -- Moon reiterated his two-track approach of maintaining pressure while being open to dialogue. Main opposition Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo again refused to meet with the president, saying that he was open to a one-on-one meeting only.
“North Korea should be pressured through South Korea-US cooperation, but room for dialogue must be left open,” Moon was quoted as saying by parties’ officials.
Moon was also quoted as saying that the US agrees with such views.
At the meeting, Chung also said that Seoul will maintain close cooperation with the US, while seeking to expand the role of Russia.
During the meeting, Chung also revealed that rotation of the US military’s tactical assets could begin within the year.
Following North Korea’s escalating provocations, Seoul and Washington have been working on strengthening defenses. In addition to bringing more US military hardware, the two sides have agreed to ease restrictions on South Korea’s ballistic missile capabilities.
“The US has pledged to increase rotational deployment of tactical assets around the Korean Peninsula. Expansion of rotational deployment could begin as early as the end of the year,” Chung was quoted as saying by Bareun Party deputy Floor Leader Rep. Cheong Yang-seog.
By Choi He-suk (
cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)
