The South Korean administration said on the 27th that it is looking into the intention behind North Korea firing its coastal batteries into the West Sea today and how to react to it, and will not reveal the schedule for impending working group meetings until the investigation is complete.
North Korea fired thirty shells into its own waters from coastal batteries early on Wednesday.
Lee Jong Ju, the vice-spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification revealed in a Ministry daily briefing later in the morning, “We can confirm that North Korea has declared a ‘no-sailing zone’ in the West Sea from January 25th to March 29th. The administration has been examining carefully the North Korean military situation, its intention and how we should react.”
Regarding the future schedule for working group meetings on Kaesong Complex management and tours of Kaesong and Mt. Geumgang, where are supposed to be held on the 1st and 8th respectively, the administration said it would release its stance after concluding the examination.
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak held today an urgent security meeting with Chief Secretary to the President Jeong Jung Kil, Director of the National Intelligence Service Won Sei Hoon, Minister of National Defense Kim Tae Young and Minister of Unification Hyun In Taek.
As of 9:30 this morning, communication between North and South Korean maritime authorities was normal, as was passage on the ground, according to the Ministry of Unification.
However, at 3 this afternoon North Korea allegedly fired “dozens” more shots from its coastal batteries, according to an administration insider.
