North Korea orders army to 'enter wartime state'
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered army units to enter a "wartime state," one of the nation's highest levels of military alert, ratcheting up tensions with South Korea a day after the two countries exchanged fire over their heavily armed border. Front lines are expected to be on standby, fully armed, and in bunkers and gun positions, according to a spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry, who spoke with The New York Times.
The shooting started when North Korea fired a shell at a loudspeaker South Korea was using to broadcast anti-Pyongyang propaganda across the border. The communist North, known for its saber-rattling, threatened further military action if South Korea does not shut off the loudspeaker by 5 p.m. Saturday.
In early August, two South Korean soldiers were badly injured when they stepped on land mines while patrolling the South Korean side of the demilitarized zone that has separated North and South Korea since the Korean War ended in an armistice in 1953. South Korean Maj. Gen. Koo Hong-mo has since warned that "North Korea will pay a harsh price proportionate to the provocation that North Korea made."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Men in Gray suits: why the plots against Starmer's top adviser?
Today's Big Question Increasingly damaging leaks about Sue Gray reflect 'bitter acrimony' over her role and power struggle in new government
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Lee: Kate Winslet biopic lacks 'nuance that made Miller exceptional'
Talking Point Winslet fought to get the film made, but critics are divided on whether it lives up to expectations
By The Week UK Published
-
Melania Trump's coffee table memoir: why – and why now?
In The Spotlight The contents of forthcoming book remain as mysterious as the 'sphinx-like' First Lady herself
By The Week Staff Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published