North Korea Scraps Military Safeguard Pact with South Korea

Seoul blamed Pyongyang saying that a torpedo attack sank the Cheonan, a South Korean submarine, which sank with scores of sailors on board. This was after the findings were disclosed by an international probe, which included investigators from 5 countries. North Korea flatly denied the accusation saying it had nothing to do with the incident. The South severed all ties with its Northern neighbor, and went on to conduct a major anti-submarine drill, in which 10 South Korean warships took part. In retaliation, North Korea has scrapped the Military Safeguard Pact with South Korea which was aimed at preventing accidental naval clashes.

Through the North Korean official news agency the North Korean military said, "The country would completely nullify the bilateral agreement that was concluded to prevent a contingent clash in the West Sea of Korea (Yellow Sea). In connection with this, we will completely stop using international maritime ultra-short wave walkie-talkies and will immediately cut off the communication line that was opened to handle an emergency. Agreements on forestalling accidental conflicts would be declared completely null and void." Pyongyang also went on to warn of an immediate attack if South Korea's navy violated the disputed Yellow Sea borderline, and repeated their threats to shut down a joint industrial business project. The north also banned South Korean ships and planes from using its territory.

South Korea has suspended almost all trade with the North, and is pushing for action via the United Nations Security Council. A South Korean defense ministry official went on to say, "South Korea will 'resolutely' deal with the North's measures. There seems to be no end to the tension between the 2 Koreas, and matters between them look like spiraling out of control soon.