North Korea has 13 undiscovered invasion tunnels, says expert
Staff Reporter 2013-04-21 12:00
The second of four North Korean tunnels discovered to date was found in 1975. (Internet photo)
A South Korean expert in tunnel warfare says the North Korean army would be able to reach Seoul within just one hour through its undiscovered incursion tunnels if Kim Jong-un decides to invade, reports our sister newspaper, Want Daily.
Four incomplete tunnels constructed by the North have been discovered by the South running under the DMZ border between the two Koreas between 1974 and 1990. But Lee Jong-chang claims the Korean People's Army has constructed 13 more tunnels which connect directly to metro stations in Seoul. South Korean authorities have said the method Lee used to locate these tunnels was not scientific, but Lee said his method has helped locate hot springs and groundwater in the past.
The US Joint Chiefs of Staff has warned Pyongyang that both conventional and nuclear weapons may be used against an invasion force. North Korea demanded an apology from the United States for such threatening speech before it is willing to resume dialogue. Pyongyang also says the US nuclear umbrella is unable to protect the South from destruction.
The new South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, will visit the United States from May 7 to discuss the North Korea threat. General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also visit Beijing next week to seek China's cooperation in maintaining stability in Northeast Asia.
