North Korea has set an ultimatum that South Korea should either stop its propaganda broadcasting, or else be subject to military action. The message was sent on August 20, around 5 p.m. However, controversy has arisen with regards to the time an attack might take place, since the two Koreas use different time zones. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Korea Bizwire) - Curiosity is mounting over when “5 p.m., August 22″ will be. North Korea has set an ultimatum that South Korea should either stop its propaganda broadcasting, or else be subject to military action. The message was sent on August 20, around 5 p.m. However, controversy has arisen with regards to the time an attack might take place, since the two Koreas use different time zones.
The problem occurred because North Korea is on ‘Pyeongyang time’, which is 30 minutes later than standard time in South Korea. As such, 5 p.m. in North Korea would be 5:30 in South Korea. Details have not been stated, but it is assumed that reference was being made to 5:30 since the statement was made by North Korea, and they would normally be referring to their own time zone. If so, the deadline of the ultimatum should be 5:30 p.m. on August 22.
However, the South Korean military concluded that the ultimatum would be until 5 p.m. (Seoul time) on August 22. They explain that the message from North Korea was sent at 5 p.m. (4:30 on Pyeongyang time) on August 20, and the time has to be calculated based on the time the notice was actually made.
With controversy and confusion surrounding the actual effective time, officials from the Ministry of National Defense made it clear to the press that the deadline of the ultimatum will be 5 p.m., South Korean time.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@koreabizwire.co.kr)
