Several South Korean news outlets have reported that General James D. Thurman, the current commander of the joint U.S.-R.O.K. Combined Forces Command, warned members of the U.S. Lower House at a hearing on March 28 that the old faithful North Korean threat to “turn Seoul into a sea of fire” is an increasing possibility. While some netizens are worried that Korea is not doing enough to protect its citizens should there be an attack, others are sceptical that the report just happens to coincide with the upcoming elections.
General Thurman details the potential NK arsenal of weaponry, and is quoted as saying: “North Korea has various types of traditional artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and ballistic missiles placed in the West of the Korean peninsula, which are a threat to Seoul.” At the Lower House hearing, he went on to note that the current location of the weapons means that they are within range of the South Korean capital if they were to be deployed. He also warned of the possibility of high-explosive bombs and chemical weapons being used by the North without warning. Thurman’s analysis went so far as to predict mass panic, economic instability, and massive numbers of casualties should an attack by the North go ahead.
Dr. Peter R. Lavoy, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs (APSA), also reported to the Lower House that given Kim Il-Sung’s upcoming centenary celebrations on April 15, the North might attempt to provoke the South, and that also they may try to use every opportunity to exert political influence on the April general election and December presidential elections.
But are South Korean netizens concerned about this U.S. intelligence indicating the rise of North Korea’s military? Or do they think that South Korea has enough political problems of its own?
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