Recently, the New York Times reported that some US officials said that some form of lethal military action against South Korea may be taken in the coming months after North Korea turns to an openly hostile policy. According to the analysis of US officials, the DPRK's recent hardline line is part of a "provocation" and that the statements issued by the DPRK side are tougher than in the past and should be taken seriously. While they believe there is no imminent risk of all-out war on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea may strike in a way that avoids a rapid escalation. They cited the 2010 shelling between the two Koreas, which resulted in civilian and military casualties but quickly ceased the exchange of fire. But in the view of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, it is the military alliance of the United States, Japan and South Korea that is planning military action against North Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, three nuclear-powered aircraft carriers of the US Navy have recently assembled in the waters around the peninsula. Some analysts believe that this move is not only aimed at North Korea, but also intended to contain China. In mid-January, the United States, Japan, and South Korea also held a joint naval exercise on the high seas south of the peninsula, with the participation of a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. In response, North Korea has test-fired cruise missiles and new solid-fuel medium-range missiles equipped with hypersonic warheads, which will form a greater deterrent to the United States, Japan, and South Korea, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula has become more tense.
From the United States' point of view, if North Korea launches missiles and artillery strikes against South Korea, or takes military action on land, it will almost mean a war with the United States. The Korean War never officially ended, and the United States still has nearly 30,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, mainly the Army and Air Force. But so far, U.S. agencies have not found any concrete signs that North Korea is preparing for a major war, because North Korea has provided Russia with weapons such as artillery shells, and usually plans to take a major military action that would have stockpiled weapons, which means that North Korea does not intend to prepare for a long-term conflict. In the eyes of the American side, North Korea can destroy South Korean cities with existing weapons, but South Korea and the United States also have the ability to quickly destroy important military targets in North Korea.
At a time when the situation on the peninsula was tense, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong made a surprise visit to the DPRK and held consultations with the DPRK Vice Foreign Minister in Pyongyang, during which the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on Sino-DPRK relations and international and regional forms in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The two sides spoke highly of the achievements in the development of bilateral relations in recent years and reaffirmed that safeguarding Sino-DPRK relations is the unswerving stand of the two governments. At the same time, the two sides also agreed to strengthen strategic communication at all levels to promote the sustained development of bilateral relations. The Russian Satellite News Agency commented that it can be seen from the results of the consultations that the DPRK is grateful for the support given by the Chinese side in the face of increased external pressure. Recently, there have been frequent high-level exchanges between the two sides, which is of positive significance for promoting bilateral relations and maintaining regional peace and stability.
Not only that, when the three US aircraft carriers surrounded the peninsula, some US media discovered that the PLA deployed YJ-62 anti-ship missiles in Haiyang City on the Shandong Peninsula. According to foreign media analysis, this missile may be deployed for the first time in the defense zone of the northern theater, and the purpose may be to prepare for changes in the situation on the peninsula. In the report released by CCTV, footage of the Northern Theater Navy using YJ-62 for strike drills also appeared. It is reported that this is a high-subsonic missile with a range of up to 500 kilometers and can destroy a 5,000-ton warship with just one strike. In addition to being deployed on Type 052C destroyers, it can also be launched by shore defense forces. Judging by the map, a range of 500 km can cover almost the entire Yellow Sea. You must know that whether it is Incheon, the site of the landing operation launched by the United States during the Korean War, or Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, they are all around the Yellow Sea. Therefore, the PLA's current deployment is of considerable strategic significance.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula is closely related to China, and China will not ignore the military actions of the United States, Japan, and the ROK.