Demands apology for criticism; mentions coordinates of major news outlets


The North Korean military on Monday issued an ultimatum to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and conservative media organizations to choose between a “sacred war of revenge” or issue an apology for criticizing a propaganda event held in Pyongyang.

Seoul’s Unification Ministry protested the threat as a serious provocation to the nation’s democratic system.

“We send a final ultimatum to the traitors regarding the developments that are getting ugly. (South Korea) must choose whether to leave everything to our military’s actions or to belatedly apologize and settle the matter,” the Korean Central News Agency quoted the North Korean military as saying.

“If our military’s rage is challenged, we will respond with merciless sacred war as warned before.”

The latest threat came in response to South Korean media reports that criticized the North’s celebration of the Korean Children’s Union.

On Sunday, North Korea began a six-day celebration to mark the 66th anniversary of the establishment of the organization. The organization is open to children aged 7-13, and is part of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League. The children’s organization is estimated to have about 3 million members.

This year’s event is being held on the largest scale to date with about 20,000 children from across North Korea reported to be participating.

In the days leading up to the celebrations, a number of South Korean news organizations reported on the issue, saying the event was a ploy to win the children’s loyalty to the regime.

“This is not a simple threat to media outlets. This is a provocation against the democratic system,” Unification Ministry spokesperson Kim Hyung-suk said.

“This is not an issue that can be overlooked. (The government) is taking the matter seriously, and urges (Pyongyang) to immediately stop threatening media organizations.”

Regarding the event itself, Kim said that the government is monitoring developments as this year’s event is being held at an unprecedented scale, but said that it would be inappropriate for the government to make an official statement.

On April 23, Pyongyang warned that revolutionary special military action would take place soon, and that the actions will annihilate the targets in “three to four minutes” or less.

In the latest threat, Pyong­yang’s military also mentioned the coordinates of the Chosun Ilbo, Joongang Ilbo and Dong-a Ilbo, implying the possibility of precision strikes against South Korean targets.

In addition to the three local dailies, Pyongyang’s military also said that the coordinates of broadcasters KBS, CBS, MBC and SBS have also been set.

The statement added that soldiers of North Korea’s three branches of the armed forces have been petitioning for a military resolution to the “new evil deeds of Lee Myung-bak’s traitors.”

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)