Seoul, US to open talks on missile defense aimed at N. Korea

North Korea has previously cut off cross-border communication channels in times of tension with South Korea, but they were later restored after animosities eased.

South Korean owners who run factories in the suspended inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex, attend an emergency meeting held by the council of South Korean companies operating in the industrial park, in Seoul, South Kore… While Pyongyang has increased the range of its ballistic missiles and has enough nuclear fuel to produce more devices, weapons experts say it is years from being able to successfully launch a nuclear warhead on a long-range missile. It accused North Korea of using the cash it earns from South Korean involvement in the rare venture between the two Koreas to finance its weapons programs.

Isolated North Korea regularly dismisses the South as a puppet of the U.S. and just as regularly accuses both of acts of war against it. They also promised to freeze the assets of South Korea.

The United States, Japan and South Korea are seeking tougher sanctions against the North following the nuclear test and rocket launch.

According to the Yonhap, the decision was aimed at “punishing the North for its nuclear and missile tests”. Such sexist language is also typical of North Korean propaganda.

“Considering the stances of neighboring countries when (South Korea) picking an area to host the THAAD is not militarily (right)”, the Defense Ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.

After the North expelled the South Koreans on Thursday, Seoul cut off all power and electricity to Kaesong.

The 124 South Korean companies are expected to be hit hardest by the shutdown as they will be unable to meet the deadline for goods delivery, resulting in a credibility crisis with clients. While the South Korean companies pay the North in United States dollars, their North Korean employees receive wages in North Korean won based on an exchange rate dictated by the North’s government. It was widely condemned, with the South Korean president calling it an “intolerable provocation”.

Most South Korean businesses at Kaesong manufactured labor-intensive products such as clothing, electronic components and wristwatches.

Park’s government Wednesday explicitly accused Kim Jong Un’s regime of funneling the money, which totaled $120 million past year alone, into its nuclear and missile programs. But, generally, the complex has been seen as above the constant squabbling and occasional bloodshed between the rival Koreas, one of the last few bright spots in a relationship more often marked by threats of war.

“We expressed very grave regret over the North’s move”.

South Korean soldiers move barricades to close the road at the customs, immigration and quarantine office near the border vil…