Pope's prayers consoling us as we
hope for peace, North Korean Christian saysSource tells AsiaNews about an undercover meeting with a
Christian who told "me that we heard about" Francis's appeal it. "We do not want
to be isolated from the rest of the world," he added. But tensions on the
peninsula are rising as Pyongyang gets rocket ready for launch.تكبير الصورةتصغير الصورة معاينة الأبعاد الأصلية.
Seoul (AsiaNews): Pope Francis's
appeal for peace on the Korean Peninsula "was a consolation for all of us living
in North Korea. Even though the government did not give much publicity to the
event (Urbi et Orbi blessing on 31 March), we heard about it. Like him, we hope
for peace. We do not want to be isolated from the rest of the world," said a
North Korean Christian. Anonymous for security reasons, he spoke to a source
working at the border who relayed the information to AsiaNews.
According to the source, "there will be no war.
Our bishops are right; it is a matter of political balance in the North and
humanitarian aid. Pyongyang cannot lose face, so all these threats have to
produce something. But it is hard to know whether there will be a land invasion
or an attack against US or South Korean military sites. Whatever the case, we
must pray, as the pope said, for there to be peace and a new reconciliation in
Korea. "
Tensions continue to rise however. Once the
ultimatum on the evacuation of foreigners came and went, North Korea deployed
its medium-range rockets and appears ready to launch them, Japanese and South
Korean intelligence sources reported. North Korea moved Musudan rockets to the
east coast that can hit "multiple technical, military and even civilian
targets." According to sources, "satellites spotted the locations and we are
ready to react. But in case of attack, we cannot say what will happen."
In any case, for South Korea's defence, the
situation is "strange. Two rockets at an east coast installation were moved out
and then back inside their hangar. At the same time, five transporter launchers
were also moved. North Korea is trying to confuse US and South Korean officials.
"
The Korean Peninsula has more than a 70 per cent
chance of war "because North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may want to use this
opportunity to force a reunification of the Korean Peninsula," said Zhang
Liangui, a Chinese expert on North Korea.
Yet, the Chinese government does not approve of
this. Beijing in fact backed United Nations sanctions against North Korea after
the latter carried out a nuclear test in February and reduced its humanitarian
aid to its neighbour, calling on its leaders to stay calm.
In an indirect but clear reference to North Korea,
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said, "no one should be allowed to throw
a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gains."
At present, the North's next military provocation
is expected to take place before 15 April, anniversary of the birth of the
founder of the state, Kim Il-sung, grandfather and inspiration for the current
dictator.
<p align="justify">Tomorrow's meeting in Seoul between US Secretary
of State John Kerry and South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se appears to
back this theory.
Washington's top diplomat will be in the South
Korean capital after a G8 meeting currently underway in London. Immediately
afterwards, he will travel to China and Japan on a 10-day
visit.
من هنا 
من هنا 
من هنا 
الجمعة 12 أبريل 2013 - 17:25
