Korean peninsula: international community condemns North Korean shelling

The international community has almost universally condemned North Korea's shelling of an inhabited South Korean island in the yellow sea. The attack yesterday killed two South Korean Marines and injured 15 more soldiers and three civilians. It also set fire to houses and forests on the island.

The cross-border violence on the Korean peninsula came amid increased concerns the North had taken major steps to advance its nuclear weapons programme, possibly using technology that passed through China.

South Korean and U.S. officials hurriedly headed to China this week to encourage China to play a constructive role in curtailing the new threat.

The disarmament director at Pax Christi international, Stijn Van Bever (Stan van BAY-ver), told us that the only way to achieve true security is through complete disarmament. “Nuclear weapons are a hazard for human security,” he said, “That’s why [Pax Christi] is pleading once again and constantly for a nuclear disarmament at all levels.”

Chris Altieri spoke with Van Bever: