The Impression of the US Military Exercise in the Yellow Sea with South Korea

Hostility remains high between North and South Korea even though China condemned the proceeding of US and South Korean military exercise planned in the Yellow Sea after gunfire was exchanged between South and North Korea recently.

Since 1953 there was an unofficial seize fire between these two nations. After almost 60 years, North Korea opened fire on a South Korean island in the Yellow Sea on 23 November 2010, killing four people and wounded 15 others.

The USS George Washington was sent by the US for a joined four day military exercise with South Korea. What bothers China and the rest of the world is that the start of this exercise comes only 5 days after the attack.

One can not help to think that calling such a provocative military drill would be the sensible thing to do. Yet the planned action continues. According The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Military Science Academy, Major General Luo Yuan, it can be compared to pouring fuel onto flames.

The US called on China to make use of its influence on North Korea to recoil from the tension in the area. China seems to act as a fair diplomatic arbitrator in the situation, not considering its dominant trade association with North Korea, by appealing to all parties, including North Korea, for a reduction in hostility by exercising control and to remain calm.

Frankly, there was no sign that this request of China had any effect. North Korea kept to their war expressions by stating that the actions of the US and South Korea to stage a military drill in such a volatile time is irresponsible.

Keeping in mind the expression that all is fair in love and war, one can understand that just accepting a military exercise, especially if you are possibly on the receiving end, might not be the most appropriate action for a highly volatile situation. This only makes sense that North Korea claim that the military practice by the US and South Korea are shoving the Korean peninsula in the direction of war.

While the rest of the world hold their breath, China will remain the key mitigating factor and will need to practice careful diplomacy, as it is the only country that have some form of influence on North Korea. The United Kingdom said it strongly condemns the attack while the Germans are of the opinion that military aggravation is threatening the peace of the area. On the border of North Korea, Russia is apprehensive about the exchange of gunfire.