Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated again, with North Korea holding artillery drills near the inter-Korean border, South Korea urgently issuing shelter orders to residents of two islands, and 1.2 million troops in the north are on standby. This series of moves has made the situation on the entire peninsula very tense, and at a critical moment, China has played an important role in stabilizing the peninsula.
North Korea's artillery drills are a direct response to joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises. Previously, the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises had increased in size and intensity in an effort to bring North Korea to its knees through military pressure, but they had miscalculated Mr. Kim's resolve. The DPRK military responded the day after the end of the joint military exercise, firing a large number of artillery shells on Baeknyeong Island and Yeonpyeong Island on the border between the DPRK and the ROK, and conducting a firepower exercise. Although South Korea's Joint Staff Headquarters said that the South Korean army and nearby residents were not affected, the situation is still very urgent.
In response to the North Korean military's firepower drills, South Korea urgently issued evacuation orders to the residents of the two islands and guided them to evacuation centers. At the same time, the passenger ferry originally scheduled to go to Yeonpyeong Island on the same day was also asked to suspend sailing. In response to the North Korean military's exercises, South Korean troops stationed on the northwestern islands conducted shooting training at sea. This series of actions shows the tension between the two Koreas.
Amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea has a staggering 1.2 million troops, all of which are on standby. In comparison, South Korea has 630,000 troops and is supported by U.S. forces stationed in South Korea, which is a whopping 370 thousand. If war does break out, the scale of the fighting could far exceed that of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. North Korea has such a large army size that the outcome of the war is difficult to predict.
The current tension on the Korean Peninsula is due to the fact that the United States and South Korea underestimated Kim Jong-un's determination. Their insistence on pressure and deterrence against North Korea rather than responding to the denuclearization measures it has taken further has further escalated tensions. This series of actions shows the intention of the United States to contain China by stirring up tensions on the peninsula and make the Korean Peninsula issue a bargaining chip in its so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy".
At the critical moment, China came to the scene on the Korean Peninsula issue and played an important mediating role. Geng Shuang, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called on all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, work together to reduce tensions, and create conditions for the resumption of dialogue. China's spokesman Wang Wenbin also made it clear that China has always advocated resolving the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation, and hopes that all parties concerned will remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of the situation. China's appeal and attitude demonstrate China's responsibility and responsibility as a regional power.
The tension on the Korean Peninsula is becoming more and more serious, and the key to resolving this issue lies in the calm and restraint of all parties concerned and finding a solution through dialogue and consultation. Military struggle will only exacerbate tensions and jeopardize regional and even global security and stability. As a neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China should not only safeguard its own interests, but also be responsible for regional peace and stability, and promote all parties to sit down for dialogue and jointly find a solution to the Korean Peninsula issue by playing a mediating role.
I believe that through the joint efforts of all parties, the Korean Peninsula issue will certainly be resolved. Resuming dialogue is key to resolving issues, whether North Korea's denuclearization or other disputes, which can only be found by sitting down and talking. At the same time, all parties need to face up to the root causes of the problem, no longer rely on military pressure, but promote the political settlement process through pragmatic actions, and contribute to peace and stability on the peninsula.
In short, tensions on the Korean Peninsula need to be properly resolved, which is essential for regional and global peace and stability. Only through the joint efforts of all parties, maintaining calm and restraint, and sincere dialogue, can we find a solution to the problem and jointly create a peaceful and stable future. As a responsible major country, China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue.