We start a discussion on an issue making headlines.
After threatening to take military action
against South Korea, the North blew up the
inter-Korean contact office on Tuesday. This
after weeks of strong rhetoric against the
South, and upon the 20th anniversary of the
two Koreas' joint declaration for peace and
cooperation.
What is behind this recent surge of aggression
and how far will North Korea go?
To delve into this issue, I'm joined by Chun
In-bum, former Lieutenant General and Commander
of Special Warfare Command of the Republic
of Korea Army and Mark P. Barry, an analyst
based in New York City who's been following
North Korea for more than three decades.
1. General Chun: North Korea has blown up
the joint liaison office. It's now a pile
of rumble. Did this surprise you? What's the
true motive behind this aggression towards
the South?
2. Dr. Barry: What
kind of message is the North intending to
convey not only to South
Korea but around
the world?
3, 4.
General Chun Considering their antics and
rhetoric over the past few weeks, branding
South Korea 'the enemy' and even threatening
to reenter zones that were demilitarized including
Geumgangsan and Gaeseong Industrial Complex.
How far do you think the North Koreans will
go?
Dr. Barry What does this signify?
5. General Chun: The North's actions clearly
violate the joint military agreement reached
in 2018. What would this mean for the South
Korean military how should it prepare for
a further escalation of tensions?
6. General Chun: How do you think South Korea
should
respond 
and
how 
do you think the North Koreans are expecting
Seoul 
to respond?
7. Dr. Barry: Is there a way to smooth this
over or is
the regime determined to pick a fight? We
heard this morning that Kim Yo-jong said the
South shouldn't even bother sending envoys
over
and that she's disgusted with President Moon's
speech that tried to smooth things over.
This 
is where we have to wrap up the discussion.
It was great to
hear your insights on this. Chun In-bum, former
Lieutenant General and Commander of Special
Warfare Command of the Republic of 
Korea Army and Mark P. Barry, Associate Editor
of the International Journal on World Peace
Thank
you
for joining the program.
