South Korea's defence ministry says North Korea must return to talks to avoid clashes
In short
South Korea's defence ministry said on 22 October that North Korea must return to the dialogue table to avoid an accidental clash caused by differing perceptions. A ministry spokesperson said military communication channels between the two Koreas are completely cut off.
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South Korea's defence ministry said on 22 October that North Korea must return to the dialogue table to avoid an accidental clash between the two sides caused by differing perceptions. Spokesperson Zheng Binna (郑缤娜, a phonetic rendering of the name) made the remark at a regular press conference. [ 3 , 4 ]
Zheng was responding to a question about the possible resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts by the two Koreas, and a resulting rise in the likelihood of misjudgment or accidental conflict. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Zheng said the military communication channels between the two Koreas are currently completely cut off, and that the two sides conveying their positions through statements shows this reality. Zheng said actions that could lead to such a situation must stop. [ 3 , 4 ]
Xinhua's dispatch from Seoul added that, according to a KCNA report of 21 October, Kim Yo Jong (金与正) of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee said that South Korea's psychological-warfare loudspeakers would go into operation along the whole border line this month. Kim said South Korea had carried out loudspeaker broadcasts and warning shots at no fewer than two locations on 21 October. The documents give no South Korean response to these claims. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The ministry's remarks, reported by business outlets and Xinhua, come in response to a question about misjudgment or accidental conflict if loudspeaker broadcasts resume. The documents do not say how North Korea will respond to the call.
Key facts
- South Korea's defence ministry said on 22 October that North Korea must return to the dialogue table to avoid an accidental clash between the two sides caused by differing perceptions. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Spokesperson Zheng Binna (郑缤娜, a phonetic rendering of the name) spoke at a regular press conference, answering a question on the possible resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts and a rising likelihood of misjudgment or accidental conflict. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Zheng said the military communication channels between the two Koreas are now completely cut off, and that the two sides conveying positions through statements shows this reality. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Zheng said actions that could lead to such a situation must stop. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Xinhua cited a KCNA (朝中社) report of 21 October in which Kim Yo Jong (金与正) said South Korea's psychological-warfare loudspeakers would go into operation along the whole border line this month. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- South Korea's defence ministry said on 22 October that North Korea must return to the dialogue table to avoid an accidental clash caused by differing perceptions. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The ministry spokesperson said the military communication channels between the two Koreas are completely cut off. [ 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether loudspeaker broadcasts have resumed or will resume. The spokesperson was asked about a possible resumption; Xinhua only cites Kim Yo Jong's statement of 21 October, as carried by KCNA, that broadcasts and warning shots took place.
- Kim Yo Jong's claim that South Korea carried out loudspeaker broadcasts and warning shots at no fewer than two locations on 21 October. Only Xinhua, citing KCNA, reports this; the documents carry no South Korean response to it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS published its report on the South Korean defence ministry's statement. [ 1 ]
- Yicai published a headline on the statement. [ 2 ]
- Jiemian published the full text, credited to Xinhua. [ 3 ]
- Xinhua published its dispatch from Seoul, including Kim Yo Jong's remarks reported by KCNA on 21 October. [ 4 ]