A look at North Korea’s past bluster and actual attacks

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2010 file photo, smoke rises from South Korea's Yeonpyeong island near the border against North Korea. North Korea has a long track record of issuing threats and ultimatums that don’t necessary lead to action. Then again, when it does act - often without warning - it can be fatal. On Nov. 23, 2010 the North hammered the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, firing off 170 shells and rockets that hit military and civilian targets and killed four South Koreans. (Yonhap via AP, File) FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2010 file photo, smoke rises from South Korea's Yeonpyeong island near the border against North Korea. North Korea has a long track record of issuing threats and ultimatums that don’t necessary lead to action. Then again, when it does act - often without warning - it can be fatal. On Nov. 23, 2010 the North hammered the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, firing off 170 shells and rockets that hit military and civilian targets and killed four South Koreans. (Yonhap via AP, File)

By Associated Press August 15, 2017 3 min read

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea has a long track record of issuing threats and ultimatums that don’t necessary lead to action. Then again, when it does act – often without warning – it can be fatal.

Here’s a look at North Korean bluster, and cases where it’s believed to have made good on threats, though in most of those cases it has denied carrying out attacks.

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2015: LANDMINES AND LOUDSPEAKERS

Kim Jong Un issued an ultimatum that seemed to bring the Koreas very close to a war footing in August 2015. Tensions had escalated rapidly after land mines maimed two South Korean soldiers along the Demilitarized Zone. The confrontation deepened as the South demanded an apology and re-started propaganda broadcasts over loudspeakers near the DMZ. It was defused at the last minute by marathon talks.