ASSOCIATED PRESS
8月20日に韓国と北朝鮮の軍事境界線付近で起きた砲撃戦を受け、北朝鮮の朝鮮中央通信は21日、前線地帯に「準戦時状態」を宣言したと伝えた。
同通信によると、北朝鮮軍（朝鮮人民軍）の最高司令官でもある金正恩・朝鮮労働党第1書記が20日、朝鮮労働党中央軍事委員会の非常拡大会議を緊急招集し決定した。21日午後5時をもって、前線の部隊に「作戦進入が可能な完全武装の戦時状態に移行」することを命じている。
南北の緊張が高まったきっかけは8月4日。軍事境界線を挟む非武装地帯（DMZ）で、韓国軍兵士2人が地雷で足を切断するなど負傷した。韓国政府はこれに対する報復として、軍事境界線付近で北朝鮮向けの宣伝放送を始めていた。朝鮮中央放送は「48時間以内に心理謀略放送を中断しない場合、心理戦を撃破射撃するための軍事的行動と、起こりうる敵の反撃を鎮圧するため、地域の軍事作戦を指揮する指揮官を任命し、前線に命令した」と述べ、韓国側の宣伝放送を中止しなければさらなる軍事行動に出ることを示唆している。
韓国側は、20日の砲撃戦は、この放送を巡って北朝鮮側が挑発を仕掛け、韓国側が応戦したとしているが、朝鮮中央通信は「またも、ありもしない『北の砲弾発射』事件をつくり上げ、それを口実に神聖な共和国領土に向け数十発の砲弾を乱射する無謀な軍事的妄動を働いた」と、北朝鮮側から仕掛けたとの説を否定している。
韓国・北朝鮮の軍事境界線
A North Korean soldier watches the South(01 of36)
A North Korean soldier watches the South Korean side at the border village of Panmunjom in the DMZ, demilitarized zone in Panmunjom on December 28, 2011. The funeral ceremony for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il started in Pyongyang, reported the ITAR-TASS news agency, the only Russian media with offices in the reclusive country. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read WALLY SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A North Korean soldier watches the South(02 of36)
A North Korean soldier watches the South Korean side at the border village of Panmunjom in the DMZ, demilitarized zone in Panmunjom on December 28, 2011. The funeral ceremony for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il started in Pyongyang, reported the ITAR-TASS news agency, the only Russian media with offices in the reclusive country. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read WALLY SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A North Korean flag stands at half mast(03 of36)
A North Korean flag stands at half mast in honor of late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il near the border village of Panmunjom in the DMZ, demilitarized zone in Panmunjom on December 28, 2011. The funeral ceremony for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il started in Pyongyang, reported the ITAR-TASS news agency, the only Russian media with offices in the reclusive country. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read WALLY SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A North Korean soldier watches the South(04 of36)
A North Korean soldier watches the South Korean side at the border village of Panmunjom in the DMZ, demilitarized zone in Panmunjom on December 28, 2011. The funeral ceremony for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il started in Pyongyang, reported the ITAR-TASS news agency, the only Russian media with offices in the reclusive country. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read WALLY SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A South Korean soldier stands guard as h(05 of36)
A South Korean soldier stands guard as he faces the North Korean side at the border village of Panmunjom in the DMZ, demilitarized zone in Panmunjom on December 28, 2011. The funeral ceremony for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il started in Pyongyang, reported the ITAR-TASS news agency, the only Russian media with offices in the reclusive country. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read WALLY SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A north Korean flag stands at half mast(06 of36)
A north Korean flag stands at half mast in honor of late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il near the border village of Panmunjom in the DMZ, demilitarized zone in Panmunjom on December 28, 2011. The funeral ceremony for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il started in Pyongyang, reported the ITAR-TASS news agency, the only Russian media with offices in the reclusive country. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read WALLY SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
North Korean soldiers watch the South Ko(07 of36)
North Korean soldiers watch the South Korean side from a lookout tower near at the border village of Panmunjom in the DMZ, demilitarized zone in Panmunjom on December 28, 2011. The funeral ceremony for the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il started in Pyongyang, reported the ITAR-TASS news agency, the only Russian media with offices in the reclusive country. AFP PHOTO / POOL (Photo credit should read WALLY SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
North Korean soldiers look and film foot(08 of36)
North Korean soldiers look and film footage of the South side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visits the truce village of Panmunjom in the DMZ separating the two Koreas on September 14, 2011. Juan Manuel Santos is in South Korea for a three-day state visit and will meet with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak on economic cooperation and other issues. AFP PHOTO/JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
North Korean soldiers look and take pict(09 of36)
North Korean soldiers look and take pictures of the South side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visits the truce village of Panmunjom in the DMZ separating the two Koreas on September 14, 2011. Juan Manuel Santos is in South Korea for a three-day state visit and will meet with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak on economic cooperation and other issues. AFP PHOTO/JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A North Korean soldier looks at the Sout(10 of36)
A North Korean soldier looks at the South side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visits the truce village of Panmunjom in the DMZ separating the two Koreas on September 14, 2011. Juan Manuel Santos is in South Korea for a three-day state visit and will meet with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak on economic cooperation and other issues. AFP PHOTO/JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
North Korean soldiers look at the South(11 of36)
North Korean soldiers look at the South side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) while Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visits the truce village of Panmunjom in the DMZ separating the two Koreas on September 14, 2011. Juan Manuel Santos is in South Korea for a three-day state visit and will meet with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak on economic cooperation and other issues. AFP PHOTO/JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SKOREA-NKOREA-DMZ(12 of36)
South Korean soldiers stand guard inside a military armistice committee meeting room at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea on May 14, 2014. Despite fears to the contrary, North Korea does not appear to be preparing an imminent nuclear test, a US think-tank said in an analysis of recent satellite images of Pyongyang\'s main test site. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones (Photo credit should read ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SKOREA-NKOREA-DMZ(13 of36)
Sout Korean soldiers face the North korean side of the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea on May 14, 2014. Despite fears to the contrary, North Korea does not appear to be preparing an imminent nuclear test, a US think-tank said in an analysis of recent satellite images of Pyongyang\'s main test site. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones (Photo credit should read ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SKOREA-NKOREA-DMZ(14 of36)
A South Korean soldier stands guard inside a military armistice committee meeting room at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea on May 14, 2014. Despite fears to the contrary, North Korea does not appear to be preparing an imminent nuclear test, a US think-tank said in an analysis of recent satellite images of Pyongyang\'s main test site. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones (Photo credit should read ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SKOREA-NKOREA-DMZ(15 of36)
A South Korean soldier stands guard inside a military armistice committee meeting room at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea on May 14, 2014. Despite fears to the contrary, North Korea does not appear to be preparing an imminent nuclear test, a US think-tank said in an analysis of recent satellite images of Pyongyang\'s main test site. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones (Photo credit should read ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SKOREA-NKOREA-DMZ(16 of36)
Tourists look out towards North Korea at the Dora Observatory near the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea on May 14, 2014. Despite fears to the contrary, North Korea does not appear to be preparing an imminent nuclear test, a US think-tank said in an analysis of recent satellite images of Pyongyang\'s main test site. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones (Photo credit should read ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SKOREA-NKOREA-US-DIPLOMACY(17 of36)
US (L) and South Korean (R) soldiers stand guard inside the UN conference room at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone dividing the two Koreas on March 12, 2014. Cross-border relations remain tense over on-going joint military drills between South Korea and the US, which have been condemned by Pyongyang as a rehearsal for invasion. AFP PHOTO / JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SKOREA-NKOREA-US-DIPLOMACY(18 of36)
US (front) and South Korean (rear) soldiers stand guard at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone dividing the two Koreas on March 12, 2014. Cross-border relations remain tense over on-going joint military drills between South Korea and the US, which have been condemned by Pyongyang as a rehearsal for invasion. AFP PHOTO / JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SKOREA-NKOREA-US-DIPLOMACY(19 of36)
A US (front) and a South Korean (R) soldier stand guard as visitors walk into the UN conference room at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone dividing the two Koreas on March 12, 2014. Cross-border relations remain tense over on-going joint military drills between South Korea and the US, which have been condemned by Pyongyang as a rehearsal for invasion. AFP PHOTO / JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
South and North Korea Hold High Level Talks In Panmunjom(20 of36)
PANMUNJOM, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 14: In this handout image provided by South Korean Unification Ministry, Kim Kyou-Hyun (R), the head of South Korea\'s high-level delegation talks with his North Korean counterpart Won Tong-Yon (L) during their meeting on February 14, 2014 in Panmunjom, South Korea. This is the second high-level government talks this week between the officials from North and South Korea. The closely watched first meeting on February 12 ended without any agreement, as South Korea dismissed North Korea\'s demand that South Korea delay the start of upcoming springtime military exercise with the U.S. until the reunions end. (Photo by South Korean Unification Ministry via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
South and North Korea Hold High Level Talks In Panmunjom(21 of36)
PANMUNJOM, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 14: In this handout image provided by South Korean Unification Ministry, Won Tong-Yon (C), the head of North Korea\'s high-level delegation crosses the military demarcation line (MLD) for the meeting as North Korean soldiers stand guard on February 14, 2014 in Panmunjom, South Korea. This is the second high-level government talks this week between the officials from North and South Korea. The closely watched first meeting on February 12 ended without any agreement, as South Korea dismissed North Korea\'s demand that South Korea delay the start of upcoming springtime military exercise with the U.S. until the reunions end. (Photo by South Korean Unification Ministry via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
This photo taken on August 11, 2011 show(22 of36)
This photo taken on August 11, 2011 shows two young tourists posing by a sculpture illustrating the \'DMZ\', or Demilitarized Zone, at the \'3rd Tunnel\', four kilometres away from the truce village of Panmunjom at the DMZ, dividing the two Koreas. The 3rd Tunnel, one of four found by South Korea so far, was discovered in 1978 and is over 1,600 metres long, including 435 metres past the Demarcation Line into South Korean territory. AFP PHOTO / RICHARD A. BROOKS (Photo credit should read RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demilitarized Zone Opens For Train Passage(23 of36)
PAJU, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 17: South Korean soldiers open the gate for the Demilitarized Zone before a train moved toward the Demilitarized Zone on the way to North Korea on May 17, 2007 in Paju, South Korea. Two trains set out in each direction today, carrying passengers across the border for the first time in over 50 years, to test the restored tracks connecting the two Koreas. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demilitarized Zone Opens For Train Passage(24 of36)
PAJU, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 17: South Korean soldiers open the gate for the Demilitarized Zone before a train moved toward the Demilitarized Zone on the way to North Korea on May 17, 2007 in Paju, South Korea. Two trains set out in each direction today, carrying passengers across the border for the first time in over 50 years, to test the restored tracks connecting the two Koreas. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demilitarized Zone Opens For Train Passage(25 of36)
PAJU, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 17: South Korean soldiers check the fence before a train moves toward the Demilitarized Zone on the way to North Korea on May 17, 2007 in Paju, South Korea. Two trains set out in each direction today, carrying passengers across the border for the first time in over 50 years, to test the restored tracks connecting the two Koreas. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demilitarized Zone Opens For Train Passage(26 of36)
PAJU, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 17: South Korean soldiers check the fence before a train moves toward the Demilitarized Zone on the way to North Korea on May 17, 2007 in Paju, South Korea. Two trains set out in each direction today, carrying passengers across the border for the first time in over 50 years, to test the restored tracks connecting the two Koreas. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Demilitarized Zone Opens For Train Passage(27 of36)
PAJU, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 17: South Korean soldiers open the gate to the Demilitarized Zone before a train moves toward the Demilitarized Zone on the way to North Korea on May 17, 2007 in Paju, South Korea. Two trains set out in each direction today, carrying passengers across the border for the first time in over 50 years, to test the restored tracks connecting the two Koreas. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A US soldier monitors a target with his(28 of36)
Pocheon, REPUBLIC OF KOREA: A US soldier monitors a target with his anti-tank missile launcher during a mechanized military exercise at the Yeongpyeong River, in Pocheon near the DMZ, 18 October 2006, between the two Koreas. North Korea, 18 October told South Korea it was following a \'treacherous\' course towards war by complying with US-led international sanctions over the North\'s nuclear test. Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling communist party paper, accused the South\'s government of betraying Koreans by ignoring national interests. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A US soldier mans a machine gun during a(29 of36)
Pocheon, REPUBLIC OF KOREA: A US soldier mans a machine gun during a mechanized military exercise at the Yeongpyeong River, in Pocheon near the DMZ, 18 October 2006, between the two Koreas. North Korea, 18 October told South Korea it was following a \'treacherous\' course towards war by complying with US-led international sanctions over the North\'s nuclear test. Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling communist party paper, accused the South\'s government of betraying Koreans by ignoring national interests. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
South Korean soldiers, camouflage a truc(30 of36)
Pocheon, REPUBLIC OF KOREA: South Korean soldiers, camouflage a truck during a mechanized military exercise at the Yeongpyeong River, in Pocheon near the DMZ, 18 October 2006, between the two Koreas. North Korea, 18 October told South Korea it was following a \'treacherous\' course towards war by complying with US-led international sanctions over the North\'s nuclear test. Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling communist party paper, accused the South\'s government of betraying Koreans by ignoring national interests. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
South Korean soldiers, receive a briefin(31 of36)
Pocheon, REPUBLIC OF KOREA: South Korean soldiers, receive a briefing from an officer during a mechanized military exercise at the Yeongpyeong River, in Pocheon near the DMZ, 18 October 2006, between the two Koreas. North Korea, 18 October told South Korea it was following a \'treacherous\' course towards war by complying with US-led international sanctions over the North\'s nuclear test. Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling communist party paper, accused the South\'s government of betraying Koreans by ignoring national interests. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CORRECTION-CITY SPELLING IN IPTC FIELD(32 of36)
Pocheon, REPUBLIC OF KOREA: CORRECTION-CITY SPELLING IN IPTC FIELD A US tank commander sits atop his M1 Abrahams tank next to a South Korean crewman during a mechanized military exercise at the Yeongpyeong River, in Pocheon near the DMZ, 18 October 2006, between the two Koreas. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a visit to Tokyo before heading to Seoul, called 18 October for all countries to ensure the \'swift implementation\' of sanctions on North Korea imposed by the UN Security Council. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US M1 Abraham tanks during a mechanized(33 of36)
Pocheon, REPUBLIC OF KOREA: US M1 Abraham tanks during a mechanized military exercise at the Yeongpyeong River, in Pocheon near the DMZ, 18 October 2006, between the two Koreas. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a visit to Tokyo before heading to Seoul, called 18 October for all countries to ensure the \'swift implementation\' of sanctions on North Korea imposed by the UN Security Council. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The entrance of an "intrusion tunnel" un(34 of36)
Panmoonjeom, REPUBLIC OF KOREA: The entrance of an \'intrusion tunnel\' under the DMZ between South and North Korea is seen 27 September 2006 from its southern part. The DMZ, 241 kilometres (151 miles) long and four kilometres wide, has divided the Korean peninsula since 1953 when the Korean War ended in an armistice. A formal peace treaty was never signed, meaning the two sides remain technically at war. AFP PHOTO ERIC WISHART (Photo credit should read ERIC WISHART/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
A South Korean soldier is seen 27 Septem(35 of36)
Panmoonjeom, REPUBLIC OF KOREA: A South Korean soldier is seen 27 September 2006 at the entrance of an \'intrusion tunnel\' under the DMZ between South and North Korea. The DMZ, 241 kilometres (151 miles) long and four kilometres wide, has divided the Korean peninsula since 1953 when the Korean War ended in an armistice. A formal peace treaty was never signed, meaning the two sides remain technically at war. AFP PHOTO ERIC WISHART (Photo credit should read ERIC WISHART/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Border Guards Protect Area Of Panmunjom(36 of36)
PANMUNJOM, SOUTH KOREA - JUNE 15: A South Korean soldier uses a radio as he stands guard at the border village of Panmunjom, between South and North Korea, on June 15, 2005 in South Korea. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) urged North Korea to back away from its nuclear threat and asked Iran to improve cooperation with an IAEA investigation of its nuclear activities. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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