Fears Of War In Korea

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31862, 14 December 1968, Page 21

Fears Of War In Korea

<N.ZF.A.-RtuteT— Copgrlghi? NEW YORK, December 13. The United States, Russia, Britain and South Korea all agreed this week that rising tension in the Korean Peninsula could explode in a new war.

The South Korean Foreign Minister, Mr Kyu Hah Choi, told the United Nations General Assembly’s main Political Committee that 30,000 specially-trained Communist infiltrators were I‘reidy to invade the Republic of Korea from the North at any time.” The Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister (Mr Jacob Malik) blamed United States troops in Korea under the United Nations flag for the tension. He said that if they were not soon withdrawn “new, serious military conflict" could result. Senator Stuart Symington, the United States delegate in the committee, said belligerent North Korean policy statements echoed the events of 1949 and 1950 which led to war and should serve as "a sober warning to all who might think of withdrawing at this time the support of the United Nations.” For. Britain, Sir Leslie Glass said tension in the peninsula carried “the seeds of serious danger for international peace and security.” There had been a dramatic upsurge of violence from the North Korean side, he said. Senator Symington referred to the seizure of the U.S.S. Pueblo and her 82-man crew, still held by the Pyongyang Government since January 23. He warned North Korea that “the American people are becoming increasingly impatient.” Mr Choi termed the inci-

dent “another manifestation of North Korean barbarity.” But Mr Malik claimed the Pueblo was a “military spy ship” sent into North Korean territorial waters to commit hostile acts.

“These spies, who like to peep into other peoples’ doors and windows were caught redhanded by the vigilant coast guard of the Korean People’s Democratic Republic,” he said.