[War] FLASH REPORT: NEWS FROM KOREA!

[pentaj2 at Scranton.edu]

FLASH REPORT: NEWS FROM KOREA!
===
<February 3, 2013>

At dawn local time, elements of the Korean People's Army take 
positions at intersections and other key sites throughout Pyongyang. 
Similar movements are reported to occur throughout North Korea, and US 
and South Korean forces note increased activity along the DMZ.

Similar increases are noted along the Chinese and Russian borders, as 
well. 

North Korean state television and radio play patriotic songs and 
broadcast images of the Dear Leader: reviewing troops, reviewing mass 
celebratory parades, so on and so forth.

At 1130 local time, a female announcer speaks over both the State 
television and radio networks, along with an English translation 
broadcast over Voice of Korea, the DPRK's international shortwave 
broadcaster, and released by the Korean Central News Agency.

"Attention. Attention, loyal citizens and comrades of the Democratic 
People's Republic of Korea. The Information Office of the National 
Defense Commission has an announcement of the greatest importance for 
all loyal citizens and comrades."

Then, the scene switched to an officer in the service uniform of the 
KPA, who looked unusually grave. Some would say he looked incredibly 
scared, as well.

"Loyal comrades and defenders of the Fatherland. Today, the National 
Defense Commission has the sad duty to report the most tragic news. 
Comrade Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, 
Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, and General Secretary 
of the Workers' Party of Korea, has died of a heart attack on Mount 
Paektu, at 0400 Pyongyang Time. State Security Forces of the greatest 
loyalty are investigating as to whether the shocking death of the 
General Secretary was caused by foreign elements or their traitorous 
lackeys within the Democratic People's Republic."

The transmission then switched to mournful music and film of North 
Koreans crying in the streets, which has remained for the past 2 
hours. Foreign diplomats report heavy security throughout the DPRK, 
and a full callup of all military forces, with orders to defend 
against any "foreign moves to take advantage of the Korean people as 
they mourn the loss of their Dear Leader". Heavier deployments are 
reported along all borders of the DPRK. All North Korean diplomatic 
staff have been recalled to the DPRK, immediately and without 
exception. Many, predictably, are instead seeking asylum in host 
countries, particularly in the West.

Before the announcement, stock exchanges worldwide were trending 
downward. Upon the announcement, the Korea Stock Exchange halted 
trading immediately, with Japanese, Chinese, Hong Kong, and other 
exchanges following suit within the half hour, all aiming to prevent 
(or, in the latter cases, stop) panic selloffs.

European markets don't open for another few hours, but are expected to 
fall.

The White House, with the concurrence of Seoul, moved US forces on the 
Peninsula to DEFCON 3 at Noon Korea Time. Seoul, newly holding primary 
command of all US and ROK forces in Korea both in peacetime and 
wartime, ordered the same increase in readiness for all ROK forces. 
Both forces have canceled all passes and recalled all personnel to 
posts immediately, on orders of theater commanders.

And the world waits, holding its breath.