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North Korea Threatens Civilian Flights

South Korean-US military exercise rattles Pyongyang

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2009 1:20 PM CST
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(Newser) – North Korea said it could not guarantee the safety of civilian flights near its airspace in light of a joint US-South Korean military exercise, the Telegraph reports. The annual exercise, which South Korea and the US say is purely defensive, is for next week. Pyongyang warned that it could not predict “what military conflicts will be touched off by the reckless war exercises.”

South Korean airlines are rerouting flights away from North Korean airspace in light of the North’s comments. Tension has been ratcheting up between the two nations since Lee Myung-Bak assumed the presidency a year ago. Lee has taken a sharper tone with the Pyongyang regime, and the North in January called off all existing peace treaties between the two nations.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, left, speaks to Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce during a visit to Canberra, Australia, today.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, left, speaks to Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce during a visit to Canberra, Australia, today.   (AP Photo)
South Korean protesters burn a portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during a rally against North Korea's recent military policy in Seoul, South Korea.
South Korean protesters burn a portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during a rally against North Korea's recent military policy in Seoul, South Korea.   (AP Photo)
Tensions are running high between North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and South Korea.
Tensions are running high between North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and South Korea.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Chudluv
Mar 6, 2009 3:14 AM CST
Ahh boy, let's get this over and done with. I don't want another war, but this is get very old and someone or country just needs to stick a match under this and light it.
Doctor-Zaius
Mar 5, 2009 7:28 PM CST
K to the J to the I. L. L. in the Hizzy!
Rob
Mar 5, 2009 1:30 AM CST
This guy is a nut and could do anything. I am waiting for the missle test and the subsequent destruction in flight of the missle to see what happens now.

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North Korea • South Korea • Kim Jong Il • civilians • military exercises • airspace violation • Lee Myung Bak

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