DATE=8/10/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=KOREA TENSIONS (L-O)
NUMBER=2-252635
BYLINE=HYUN-SUNG KHANG
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States and South Korea say they
will begin annual military exercises on the Korean
Peninsula next week. The maneuvers occur amid rising
tensions in the region and growing expectations North
Korea is preparing to test fire a missile. Hyun-Sung
Khang reports from the South Korean capital, Seoul,
the military exercises are likely to bring strong
denunciations from the North.
TEXT: The military exercises involve 14-thousand U-S
troops, 56-thousand South Korean military personnel,
and some of the world's most sophisticated military
hardware.
The maneuvers, which this year have been dubbed Ulchi
Focus Lens, are an annual event. They come amid
growing fears North Korea is planning to test fire a
long-range missile. The missile is believed to be
powerful enough to reach parts of the U-S mainland.
Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo have warned North Korea
not to conduct the test.
U-S and South Korean military spokesmen say the joint
exercises largely involve computer simulations to
evaluate and improve operations between the two
forces. The U-S Command describes the training as an
effective deterrent to external aggression.
/// OPT /// At the center of the exercises is one of
the most electronically advanced ships in the U-S
Navy. The U-S-S Blue Ridge will serve as the command
post, leading an unspecified number of warships. It
can direct and manage every phase of combat operations
with the use of computers on board. /// END OPT ///
It is expected next week's maneuvers will be strongly
denounced by Pyongyang. In the past, North Korea has
called the annual event -- a rehearsal for invasion of
its territory.
Reports also suggest that two U-S navy ships, equipped
with missile tracking radar, have left a U-S base in
Japan. These could be used to monitor a North Korean
missile launch.
The upcoming military exercises follow unprecedented
joint naval exercises between Japan and South Korea
last week.
Amid the rising tensions Tuesday, North Korea made new
threats against Japan. In a statement carried by the
country's central news agency, Pyongyang demanded
Japan atone for its colonial rule over the Korean
Peninsula, which ended after the Second World War.
The government-controlled news agency warned of what
it termed -- merciless retaliation -- unless Japan
improves relations with the North. (SIGNED)
NEB/HSK/FC/RAE
10-Aug-1999 07:56 AM EDT (10-Aug-1999 1156 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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