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S. Korean public backs stern reaction to Pyongyang

August 21, 2015

Members of the World Peace Freedom United, a conservative civic group, urge the government to continue action against the North during a press conference in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. (Yonhap)

By Kim Se-jeong

One day after the two Koreas traded fire across the demilitarized zone (DMZ), public sentiment was tough on the North, with many people insisting Seoul continue its loudspeaker propaganda campaign.

They said the odds of the skirmish developing into a full-scale war were very low, and even if a war did break out, the South would win because of the support of the United States, an ally with advanced military capabilities.

While the North called for the South to stop the propaganda broadcasting near the DMZ, Lee Kyung-soon, 50, a Seoul resident, said the government should continue the campaign.

“I have a son serving in the military right now,” Lee said. “It worries me about his safety, and I want things to quiet down so that my son can return home safely. But, in the bigger picture, the South has to show the North that enough is enough. Stopping the loudspeakers in response to the attack will make North Korea even more spoiled.”

Pyongyang is threatening it will take additional military action if Seoul continues the loudspeaker propaganda along the heavily fortified border.

Another Seoul resident, surnamed Lee, 45, also wanted the South to continue the psychological warfare against the North, which is being held responsible for recent mine blasts that maimed two South Korean border soldiers.

“It’s unwise to stop the broadcasting. We should continue to put pressure on North Korea instead of pulling back after the attack,” Lee said.

Asked about the possibility of a larger-scale conflict, he said he was skeptical that would happen.

“Unless Kim Jong-un is crazy, a full-scale war will not take place,” he said. “Kim should know that there’s nothing he will get in return for further military action. They are just threatening us. If you look carefully, they don’t want a war either. What they want is a stable regime, and all these actions are taken because they think the South is disturbing that.”

He said he has become bored with North Korea’s provocative behavior.

“This is old stuff, and is one of the many different fights the North has waged.”

Kim Eui-seong, 64, also said a full-scale war was unlikely. “What I’m worrying is whether South Korea is reacting to the attack properly,” he said. “I heard the South responded to the attack by shooting howitzers about an hour after the North’s attack. I doubt whether it was timely.”

Ahn, 53, an employee of Hana Bank, said that the South Korean military should sternly react to any provocations from the North.

“We must harshly react to the North, otherwise Pyongyang will continue to carry out military provocations. We should meet fire with stronger fire,” he said.

Some, although few, insisted the loudspeakers be silenced.

“We should solve this problem through dialogue,” an Internet user wrote on Naver. “If the North attacks, it’s okay to counterattack. But do not use loudspeakers, which are neither dialogue nor war. It only deepens emotional discord and misunderstanding.”

Another user said, “By all means, we should avoid a war. Keeping the broadcasting is not a matter of pride. We don’t need provoke the North. The real victory lies in peaceful dialogue.”