International
Ahn Young-joon / AP
North and South Korea on Tuesday pulled back from the brink with an accord that allows both sides to save face.
In a carefully crafted, though vague, piece of diplomacy, Pyongyang expressed "regret" that two South Korean soldiers were maimed in a recent land mine blast Seoul blamed on the North. While not an acknowledgement of responsibility, let alone the "definite apology" South Korea's president had demanded, it allows Seoul to claim some measure of victory in holding the North to account.
South Korea, for its part, halted anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts on the border at noon local time, allowing North Korea to claim a victory.
The recent crisis, one of many flare-ups between the two countries over the last decade, began with the land mine blasts on the border on Aug. 4.
Tensions escalated further after a rare artillery exchange over the border last week. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un then ordered his frontline troops into "a quasi-state of war." South Korean and U.S. fighter jets also flew simulated bombing sorties, and North Korea reportedly deployed two-thirds of its 70-vessel submarine fleet.
Accusing Pyongyang of laying the mines, Seoul retaliated by switching on giant banks of loudspeakers, blasting high-decibel propaganda messages into North Korea. It was the use of such broadcasts in 11 years.
The North had earlier denied any role in the mine blasts and issued an ultimatum for the South to halt its "psychological warfare" or face attack.
Al Jazeera and wire services. Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett contributed to this report from Seoul.
In a carefully crafted, though vague, piece of diplomacy, Pyongyang expressed "regret" that two South Korean soldiers were maimed in a recent land mine blast Seoul blamed on the North. While not an acknowledgement of responsibility, let alone the "definite apology" South Korea's president had demanded, it allows Seoul to claim some measure of victory in holding the North to account.
South Korea, for its part, halted anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts on the border, which will let the authoritarian North trumpet to its people a propaganda win over its bitter rival - and put an end to broadcasts that outside analysts say could demoralize front-line troops and inspire them to defect.
The agreement marks a good first step in easing animosity that has built since South Korea blamed North Korea for the mine explosion at the border earlier this month and restarted the propaganda broadcasts in retaliation. But, as always on the Korean Peninsula, it's unclear how long the good mood will continue.
Launched after two South Korean soldiers were hurt by land mines, the radio broadcasts are the first in 11 years
Pyongyang’s declaration of ‘quasi-state of war’ follows exchange of fire with Seoul
Launched after two South Korean soldiers were hurt by land mines, the radio broadcasts are the first in 11 years
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