North, South Korean Tensions Turn Deadly

The White House has made clear that it will not tolerate recent attacks made by North Korea on the neighboring South Korean island, Yeonpyeong.  In a brief statement following yesterday’s attacks, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs berated the attacks reiterating the United States’ commitment to South Korea. “The United States strongly condemns this attack and calls on North Korea to halt its belligerent action and to fully abide by the terms of the Armistice Agreement,” Gibbs said. “The United States is firmly committed to the defense of our ally, the Republic of Korea, and to the maintenance of regional peace and stability.” According to an MSNBC report, South Korean news organizations are reporting that more than 200 artillery shells hit the island killing two soldiers and setting dozens of civilian homes on fire.  South Korea reportedly returned fire, lobbing shells at targeted artillery sites and deploying F-16 fighter jets to North Korea’s borders.  Click here to read more…