North Korean military warns of "special actions" against South Korea after failed rocket launch

North Korean soldiers chant slogans near the portraits of late leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, during a rally denouncing South Korean President Lee Myung-bak April 20, 2012. / AP Photo

(AP) PYONGYANG, North Korea - North Korea's military warned Monday of imminent "special actions" that would reduce South Korea's conservative government to ashes within minutes, sharply escalating the rhetoric against its southern rival.

The threat from the North's military leadership comes amid concerns that North Korea may be plotting another provocation in the wake of an unsuccessful rocket launch condemned by the U.N. Security Council as a violation of a ban against missile activity.

North Korea characterized the April 13 rocket launch as a failed bid to send a satellite into space — not a disguised test of missile technology — but then followed up two days later by unveiling a new long-range missile at a military birthday parade for late President Kim Il Sung.

There are new concerns that North Korea may conduct a nuclear test as it did after rocket launches in 2006 and 2009. South Korean intelligence officials say recent satellite images show the North has been digging a new tunnel in what could be preparation for a third atomic test.

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"Nuclear weapons are not the monopoly of the United States," Lt. Col. Nam Dong Ho told The Associated Press on Monday on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone, saying North Korea needs atomic weapons to defend itself against the threat of attack from the U.S. "It's my personal opinion, but I think we'll continue to conduct nuclear tests."

On Monday, the military warned in a statement carried by state media that it would launch "special actions" soon against the South Korean government and conservative media.

However, there was no outward sign of tension on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone. At Panmunjom, small groups of tourists were touring the "peace" village and the buildings where the Korean War armistice was signed in 1953. The South Korean side was quiet.

For days, North Korea has railed against South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and conservative South Korean media for criticizing its rocket launch and the celebrations of the centennial of Kim Il Sung's birth.

But Monday's message, distributed by the state-run Korean Central News Agency and attributed to the "special operation action group" of the Korean People's Army's Supreme Command, was unusual in its specificity.

"Once the above-said special actions kick off, they will reduce all the rat-like groups and the bases for provocations to ashes in three or four minutes, in much shorter time, by unprecedented peculiar means and methods of our own style," it said.

The threat comes as North Korea's new commander in chief, Kim Jong Un, makes a strong show of support for the "military first" policy championed by his father, late leader Kim Jong Il. North Korea marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of its army Wednesday.

Seoul expressed worry that the threats were hurting relations between the countries and increasing animosity.

"We urge North Korea to immediately stop this practice," Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-suk told reporters, according to the ministry. "We express deep concern that the North's threats and accusations have worsened inter-Korean ties and heightened tensions."

A South Korean Defense Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with departmental rules, said no special military movement had been observed in the North.

In November 2010, after issuing a warning to the South Korean government, North Korean troops showered artillery on a front-line island in disputed western waters held by South Korea. The attack killed four people, including two civilians.

However, it is unlikely that North Korea would launch a large-scale military attack against Seoul, which is backed by nearly 30,000 U.S. troops stationed in the South, said Kim Young-soo, a professor at Sogang University in Seoul.

[NuclearSunshine]

Does the North Korea (NK) stupidity ever stop? I do give credit in recently showing that Jung-un can speak... reading a written document and wiggling like a little kid. Now action of "peculiar means"? Oh, is there something new in NK's bag? Sink a ship, shoot at an island, kidnap some people, or send some spy to cause trouble? (ZZZZzzzzzz) Sorry, fell asleep there for a moment.. None of this doesn't more than get a sharp letter from the UN (if Daddy Russia and Mommy China don't veto it or reduce it to small talk). The South won't engage in real action unless a rocket is launch into their country regularly. The North won't attack a major target as they understand it's an economics number issue for the South. Meanwhile, NK continues their bad behavior and bluster of the past while their military and China poses that this idiot kid runs the place. The new threats like the old are nothing.

Cut the NK aid, increase sanctions and starve the leadership out. In particular as this "new" government acts like the old, the World should use this time of change and cut the cords on a bad government and let it be crushed from inside. If China wants to support NK, let them spend their money damaging their economy and image in doing so. As for the rest of the World, be smart and realize you gain nothing in offering NK anything. Most of all understand nothing will change until the NK upper class feel pain or fear for themselves.

[fantomas4]

So what exactly will these "peculiar means" be? Maybe the whole rocket business was just a diversion and their real plans have been in the works for quite some time. Oh wait, I forgot I was talking about North Korea. They couldn't plan a bake sale.

[pbaird2]

China has an unruly child which needs to be spanked or China will be adversely effected by N Korea's tantrums. If China is ready to be a world leader they must stop placating the ignorant rantings of their onery satellite.

[RealWorldNow]

Yes sir... you got that right, just don't hold your breath.

[cigar-smoker]

"In Beijing, North Korea's biggest ally, China's top foreign policy official met Sunday with a North Korean delegation and expressed confidence in the country's new young leader, Kim Jong Un."
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Great, if China so adores North Korea's new leader then they can feed and clothe its people.

[zunitribe]

We are going to end up in a state of War with China over this. If China was out of the picture the nations would go into N.Korea, eliminate the threat and take Mr. Un's bat away from him, then spend 10 years repairing all that they tore up, feed everyone, get cable tv going and put a porta potty on every corner.

[smittyc]

North Korea realizes the South has stopped trying to solve their issues peacefully. South Korea is going to strike the North regardless of consequences.

[seeingeyenavalbase]

You are so correct. South Korea has been wildly threatening North Korea for decades. South Korea invaded North Korea during the Korean War, killing wantonly. North Korea and its wise, justice-loving friend China, have bent overforwards to placate the South and bring peace. When will this madness end?

[euge005]

Insult? What is more insulting to the people of Korea than the pipsqueak junior that their army made their next dictator or the fact of having thousands die a year from starvation? But we have our own versions of the same mentality, tea party, neo-cons, religious right and Bachman. And of those groups could give us the same sort of clown or another Chaney. Both countries need to wake up and sevre thier people, not the worst sort of a small empowered minority.

[zunitribe]

Sir, those groups you mentioned would never have had the energy, momentum or funding to reach the national stage if the media had not grabbed hold and turned them into sensational hero's. Martin/Zimmerman case is very good example. It could be wishful thinking but I don't believe the conservative right is as extreme as you state. I don't believe they want to starve people, but simply to incarcerate half the population. With no thought of who pays that bill

[RealWorldNow]

Off your meds again?

[venusvegasvada]

What a joke. North Korea is so pathetic.

You want to impress us?

Start feeding your people you freaks.

[JoeZuckersuck]

That is against the communist doctrine, comrade. He can't do such a thing.

[dianam1001]

North Korea has absolutely no logical minds left. Sure, desamate your neighbor to prove you can create an effective nuclear device. DO they not realize they will incurr the rath of the rest of the world and they cannot win a battle against super powers. So basically what they are saying is; we can create a rocket that will travel over the ocean to China, Japan, Philippines, etc. we are too stupid to make it go that far but we can create one that will fly about 100 feet into South Korea. LOL. Their first try only proved they can create a rocket that makes smoke rings. This while thing is hysterical. Their people are starving, their leader is a child, and now he is throwing a tantrum. What a truly sad country.

[euge005]

As if he were really in charge.

[JoeZuckersuck]

"DO they not realize they will incurr the rath of the rest of the world..." Don't worry, Obama won't do anything.