We start with the escalating tensions between the two Koreas
Emergency meetings have been held in Seoul and Pyongyang... with the militaries of both
Koreas on high alert.
This follows the exchange of artillery fire across the border yesterday.
For the latest...
we go live to our Kim Hyun－bin... at the defense ministry in Seoul.
Hyun－bin， we′re getting reports of the possibility of further provocations from the
North.
Tell us more.
Ji－hye...
Military officials say that they have detected movements of scud and nodong missiles...capable
of being fired at any given moment.
Scud missiles have a range of 500 kilometers and nodong missiles...12 hundred kilometers
with both able to target the Korean peninsula when fired from the border.
The military says it is keeping close watch for any movements....
with both countries′ militaries currently on the highest state of alert.
South Korea put its troops on full readiness on Thursday... and North Korea′s state broadcasters
reported earlier today that the North had followed suit.
North Korean leader Kim Jong－un has declared a ″quasi－state of war″ and ordered his
chief commanders to join frontline troops to prepare for military operations.
North Korea has been in full combat mode since 5 p.m. today as Pyongyang changed its time
zone recently.
Currently North Korean troops are armed and ready.
Well the focus now seems to be on... when.... that provocation might occur... which Seoul′s
defense minister hinted about today.
Pyongyang has set a 5 p.m. Saturday deadline for the speakers to be removed and warned
of futher military action it is not done.
That′s right.
Defense minister Han Min－koo said on Friday that the provocation could take place soon
after the deadline tomorrow.
Minister Han emphasized that the military will strongly counter any provocations from
the North.
South Korea′s defense ministry sent a message to Pyongyang through their inter－Korean
communication line ..... just a few hours ago.
It stated that the recent land mine explosions at the DMZ were a clear violation of the armistice
agreement and the non－aggression pact.
It also emphasized that，... if North Korea launches another provocation，...
Seoul and Washington would be justified in exercising self－defense by strongly retaliating...
with North Korea clearly at fault.
″We urge North Korea to be prudent.
Our military will use the right of self－defense.
We will make them pay for their provocations.″
Ben， the timing of this sudden escalation is noteworthy....as it coincides with one
of the biggest annual joint military drills involving South Korea and the U.S.
So how are the two allies cooperating at this time？
Well，... a South Korean military official says the two countries are currently working
under the so－called joint ROK－U.S. counter provocation plan.
This means South Korea′s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Choi Yoon－hee and
U.S. Forces Korea Commander General Curtis Scaparotti are shari