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N. Korea accuses S. Korea of ‘provocation’ with new special forces

September 24, 2015

South Korean soldiers run during a training exercise. (Yonhap)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — North Korea lashed out at South Korea on Thursday, accusing the southern neighbor of “military provocations” as Seoul plans to set up a special military unit to specifically target Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile arsenals.

Earlier on Wednesday, the South Korean military said it is currently looking to organize a special unit for attacking and destroying the North’s strategic military facilities, such as nuclear arsenals and long-range missiles.

In response, the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea has accused the plan of “breaking down” bilateral ties, according to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korea’s official news agency.

“(The plan) goes against the current state of affairs in which we have just avoided a volatile situation, and it is clearly a military provocation that is once again breaking down North-South relations,” the committee is reported to have said.

“If the South Korean government wishes for improved relations, it should not hold onto schemes of military confrontation,” it added.

North Korea has recently ramped up its missile and nuclear threats, preparing to launch what it claims is a series of satellites around the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party, slated for Oct. 10. Pyongyang has strongly hinted at conducting a fourth nuclear test.

Although the North says that it has the sovereign right to launch satellites, outside experts say the North’s move may be a cover for ballistic missile tests.