South Korea says it will strike back if attacked by North

[Darth Vader]

South Korea says it will strike back if attacked by North

SEOUL | Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:09am EDT

(Reuters) - South Korea would launch a counter-strike at the source of any North Korean attack, Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin said on Friday, after Pyongyang threatened to open fire on South Korean territory if anti-North leaflets were sent over their border.

"If that were to happen, there will be a perfect response against the source of the attack," Kim was quoted by Yonhap news agency as telling a parliamentary committee when asked about the threat made by the North earlier on Friday.

North Korea said it would deal a "merciless military strike" if leaflets were dropped as scheduled on Monday. A non-government group of North Korean exiles and activists said it would go ahead with a plan to send anti-Pyongyang propaganda.

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Paul Tait)

 

[Darth Vader]

N Korea in threat over leaflets

Friday October 19 2012

South Korean president Lee Myung-bak visits a marine base on Yeonpyeong Island near the Yellow Sea border with North Korea (AP)

North Korea has threatened to attack a South Korean border area where anti-Pyongyang activists plan to drop leaflets from balloons.

North Korea has made similar threats in the past without following through. The vow came a day after South Korea's president warned against provocation as he visited a frontline island shelled by North Korea in 2010.

South Korea's defence minister said his troops will retaliate if the North attacks.

South Korean activists regularly send up balloons carrying leaflets criticising North Korean leaders.

The North said it will "strike mercilessly" if leaflets are flown as scheduled on Monday. It also warned South Korean residents to evacuate.

The 2010 shelling killed four South Koreans.

Seoul also blames Pyongyang for the deadly sinking of a warship that year. North Korea denies the claim.

Press Association