The US spy satellites would have detected an increase in the activities of the North Korean missile units. According to the Pentagon, Pyongyang may have given orders to its units to prepare for a possible launch of medium and short-range missiles. The possible missile launch was also feared by South Korea.
The American satellites would have detected activities in the missile forces equipped with short-range Scud and medium-range Rodong missiles. If so, the targets would have already been announced. North Korea intends to eliminate the eleven stations, south of the demilitarized zone that separates the two countries, active since last August 10th. Seoul would start broadcasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda audio messages across the border with North Korea, a practice no longer used for ten years. The rhetoric of the North is the same as that used in recent years, as are the repeated threats to reduce Seoul in a "sea of fire" and a missile attack against the United States.
The situation, however, could get out of hand as South Korea has no intention of suffering passively, and has already announced violent retaliation in the event of an attack, as happened a few hours ago with the barrage of artillery carried out in response to some blocks shots coming from the North.
The ultimatum to stop audio transmissions, delivered in a letter to the South Korean Ministry of Defense via a joint military communication channel, represents a particular episode. And it will expire tomorrow. Seoul has already confirmed that there will be no interruptions in propaganda against Pyongyang. Washington, meanwhile, continues to urge Pyongyang to suspend "any provocative actions". Japan also urged North Korea to show restraint.
A few minutes ago, meanwhile, the Korean Central News Agency confirmed that the deployment of the first line was completed and that only the order of attack against enemy positions was awaited.
