North Korea warns Japan against aerial espionage

[joeblow]

North Korea warns Japan against aerial espionage
Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:42:48 GMT


South Korea has increased surveillance in the troubled peninsula as the North continues to stir up drama in the region.

North Korea's military says it will not tolerate any aerial espionage by Japanese spy planes in what it deems as warmongering of Tokyo forces.

In a stern warning on Saturday, Pyongyang warned Tokyo that any Japanese plane entering North Korean airspace will be shot down -- remarks which are likely to stir up new drama in an already tense region.

"The air force of the Korean People's Army has zero tolerance for aerial espionage by the warmongers of the Japanese aggression forces and will mercilessly shoot down any plane intruding into the territorial air of the DPRK (North Korea) even 0.001 millimeter," the air force said in a statement.

These developments come as tension in the troubled Korean peninsula has escalated over North's May 25 nuclear test and a series of missile launches since then.

North Korea has continued to threaten its neighbors in response to condemnations of its nuclear and missile activities.

South Korean and American troops have been on high alert at the Yellow Sea border. Meanwhile, recent surveillance by Seoul is suggesting that the North might be preparing to test more missiles.

The short- or mid-range missiles are expected to be fired into the waters off North Korea's east coast.

Pyongyang has warned foreign ships to stay away from the area for 16 days because of unspecified military exercises.

Pyongyang claims its nuclear program is a deterrent only against US forces in the region and accuses US President Barack Obama of plotting with regional allies to topple the Pyongyang government.

The US has warned that it would not tolerate any action by the North against Washington's regional allies.

JR/SC/MD