Shliach Visits Korean Border

By COLlive reporter

North Korea on Sunday rebuffed a South Korean proposal to resolve rising tensions through dialogue, dismissing it as a “crafty trick” by its rival, Fox News reported.

Tensions have been high on the Korean Peninsula for weeks, with Pyongyang threatening to attack Seoul and Washington for conducting joint military drills and for supporting U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea for a February nuclear test.

Visiting the border of the countries in recent weeks was Rabbi Osher Litzman, leader of the Chabad Jewish Community of the Republic of Korea, based in the Yongsan district of Seoul.

Boaz Bismuth, Foreign Affairs Editor of Israel’s largest daily “Israel Hayom” who visited Seoul, reported that Litzman spoke with U.S. army personnel stationed there.

“Some of them even joined for a Shabbos meal in the rabbi’s home,” said Bismuth, who participated in the meal as well.

He said a ranking U.S. officer attended the “emotional meal.” “Like all of us, he doesn’t know what the next day will bring,” Bismith said.

While the threats are largely seen as rhetoric, U.S. and South Korean officials have said they believe North Korea may test-fire a mid-range missile designed to reach the U.S. territory of Guam.

To support Chabad’s work there, visit jewishkorea.com