North and South over a thin line

This image was broadcasted yesterday in most of the TV news and newspapers all over the world. Last Tuesday North Korea attacked Yeonpyeong Island, located in the Yellow Sea just next to the imaginary frontier line that divides the peninsula since 1953 as a symbol of truce after the Korean War, a war that seems to be just in stand-by period. The military assault from North Korea to South Korea has caused 2 deaths and approximately about 20 wounded. The tension between the two parts has been always present.

Kim Jong-il justifies North Korean attack as a response to South Korean military practical exercise in North Korean territory and did not hesitate to declare that North Korea will attack again if these practices continue, while South Korea assured that the military practice was out of North Korean maritime space.

This conflict situation has released the idea of a possible new war between the two parts. Not much ago, last march a South Korean military ship was sunk and South Korean government accused North Korea, but they have denied their implication in the incident.

Obviously, after these events all the glances have been directed to China as the most conflictive international position because of its international relations with both countries (in fact is almost the only one that has relations with the communist North Korean Government).

Japan, EEUU, Europe and China have condemned the attack; and, China has taken a mediator attitude asking for an effort from both sides to solve the problem.

Naturally, as its unique ally (both politically and commercially), China is the only one that can use its influence to reduce the tension and to make Pyongyang to stop the provocations.

But, do they really want to provoke a war? It seems more an attempt to fortify the strength and reputation of Kim Jong-il successor. There are many opinions about the possible end or disequilibrium when Kim Jong-il son, Kim Jong-un, take the political control of the state after his father dies.

During the last 50 years of tension between both parts, there have been many incidents. A ‘truce’ that seems to be always over a thin line that can disappear whenever. It is a problem that cannot be solve without the intention. The worst part is that people with almost the same historical background and the same language are fighting against themselves. And it does not seem to change.