In the Loop with Austin: Korea Tensions Rising

Crisis in Korea 

Over the last few days, Kim Jung-Un has fired more ballistic missiles than he ever has. Over one week, Kim fired over 30 miles toward Japan and South Korea. In response the United States and South Korea have begun military exercises, potentially further extending the tensions. 240 warplanes were used from both the United States and South Korea. 

Loaded Border 

Another major break in this story is the fact that South Korea detected 180 North Koreans mobilized at the border; in response, South Korea scrambled their jets toward the border. Many of these jets are American-made F-35 fighter jets. North Korea has also been launching artillery and other types of munitions into the ocean in a possible display of power. 

Old Issues 

North and South Korea are no strangers to having issues. Running along the border of The Koreas is the infamous DMZ or Korean Demilitarized Zone. It is one of the most heavily guarded regions in the world. Anyone who crosses the zone is subjected to strict shoot-to-kill orders on both sides. The DMZ is also littered with landmines ready to explode upon pressure. In 1945 the Korean peninsula was split in half along the 38th parallel, where the DMZ is. North Korea had a communist government and was supported by the soviet union. While South Korea was a capitalist country supported primarily by the United States. Only 5 years after the split, violence broke out as war erupted between the two countries. Since the war ended in 1953 it seems it has left North and South Korea in a 70-year standoff.