Korean War Back On

            The Korean War flared back up again after North Korea launched a massive artillery barrage on a South Korean island on Tuesday, November 23rd. An estimated 200 artillery shells were aimed at the civilian island of Yeonpyeong, killing two South Korean Marines, wounding at least 14 others, and setting more than 60 buildings ablaze. South Korea answered with approximately 80 artillery shells from its own howitzers and put its fighter jets on high alert. Because the island was occupied by civilians, South Korea believes that the shelling of Yeonpyeong, which lies near the disputed maritime border separating North and South Korea, was a breach of the 57-year armistice that put a halt on the Korea War without a peace agreement (Morrissey). North Korea argued that the South's live-fire drills nearby were provocative and alarming (Frayer). .
             Kim Jong-Il, of North Korea, most likely has three reasons for the shelling. First and foremost, North Korea has tested every America President so far, to see how far their allegiance to South Korea's security will go. Since Barack has come into office, Washington has not responded to any of North Korea's attacks. Last year's missile launches, the sinking of a South Korean ship, and the confiscation of banned arms being sent to Burma have prompted very little reaction from the President. Secondly, North Korea's six-party talks have been stalled for quite some time. The shelling was a way to get the attention back on Yeonpyeong and to get more concessions from its enemies. This has proved somewhat successful, as China , Kim's closest ally, has called for a return of the talks (Morrissey). Seoul and Washington are worried about the resumption of the talks because they see this as rewarding North Korea for bad behavior (Frayer). Lastly, because Kim is extremely sick, he is trying to pass on his role to his son. With other opponents in the military busy with the Great Patriotic War, they will be unable to suppress the next successor (Morrissey).