NKorea threatens to break off dialogue with SKorea over military plan
By APFriday, January 15, 2010
NKorea threatens to break off talks with SKorea
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has threatened to break off all dialogue and negotiations with South Korea in anger over Seoul’s alleged contingency plan to deal with potential unrest in the communist country.
The North’s National Defense Commission also warned Friday that it will initiate a “retaliatory holy war” against South Korea over the plan, which the North claims is for aggression.
The rare statement came shortly after South Korea announced that the North will accept 10,000 tons of food aid from South Korea.
For a decade, South Korea was one of the biggest donors to the North before President Lee Myung-bak took office in 2008 with a pledge to get tough on the country and halted unconditional aid.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea has agreed to accept 10,000 tons of food aid from South Korea.
Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said Friday that the North’s Red Cross sent a message to its South Korean counterpart and said it will accept the 10,000 tons of corn.
The North’s move came three months after South Korea offered the food aid to the North to help relieve Pyongyang’s chronic food shortages.
For a decade, South Korea was one of the biggest donors to the North before President Lee Myung-bak took office in 2008 with a pledge to get tough on the North and halted unconditional assistance.
