A few days ago, the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, was hit with artillery from its neighbor North Korea. Which resulted in the deaths of two South Korean soldiers and two civilians. This attack was seen as a demonstration against the joint military exercise between the US and South Korea staged in the Yellow Sea.
However, it appears that there could be more to it. You see, there is a regime change that will soon take place in the North. This is more likely that it is the doing of the incoming regime as a test to see if the military will follow new command. Especially when state controlled Korean Central News Agency responded Friday saying, “The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war.”
A war that neither party, including China or Japan, would invite. Seeing as China is seen as an ally to North Korea, they would be a definite thorn at the side of US support to the South. A showdown that could be devastating to the US naval fleet.
How so? Despite the fact that the US has the most advanced systems, they are still vulnerable. With the nuclear-powered US carrier, the USS George Washington, with more than 6000 sailors and 75 fighter jets aboard, and being in the backyard of the Chinese, its loss would be a catastrophic loss. After all, the Chinese have proven their ability to roam the seas undetected.
Do you remember the contrail that was in question the other week? Many top analysts claim it was a missile from a Chinese submarine. However, the Chinese would position themselves, you could wager they are already in position on both sides of the peninsula. With two Chinese fishing patrol ships spotted by the Japanese coast guard off a group of islands, you can bet they are positioned for an attack on either direction.
But, there are heavy propositions for talks coming from China as it is their latest move to calm tensions. Wu Dawei, Chinese special representative for the Korean Peninsula affairs said, “The Chinese side, after careful deliberation, proposes emergency consultations among the heads of delegation to the Six-Party Talks in early December in Beijing to exchange views on major issues of concern to the parties at present.”