provocation: the act of causing a person or group to react or fight back
resign: to quit one's job or step down from a leadership post
drills: practice in order to prepare for the real thing
propaganda: the organized spreading of information and rumours to persuade people to take a certain side
rivals: people or groups who have had a long term disagreement or conflict
on the brink of war: high tension between two groups; very close to breaking out in war
South Korea Threatens Air Strikes
South Korea's new defence minister that his military would attack North Korea with air strikes if there was any further provocation. This came after the November 23 shelling of a South Korean island in which four people were killed. The defence minister resigned that attack due to criticism of his weak response. When the South followed through with war drills, North Korea responded with propaganda tactics. Many fear that the long term rivals are on the brink of war.
Comprehension Questions:
What happened on November 23?
Who resigned from his leadership post?
What will happen if the North strikes again?
Discussion Question: Do you think North and South Korea are on the brink of war? What will 2011 bring for these rivals?
South Korea Threatens Air strikes South Korea's new defence minister announced that his military would attack North Korea with air strikes if there was any further provocation. This warning came after the November 23 shelling of a South Korean island in which four people were killed. The previous defence minister resigned shortly after that attack due to criticism of his weak response. When the South followed through with scheduled war drills, North Korea responded with propaganda tactics. Many fear that the long term rivals are on the brink of war.
Comprehension Answers:
On November 23 North Korea attacked a South Korean island, killing four people.
South Korea's defence minister resigned from his leadership post.
If the North strikes again, the South will respond with air strikes.
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