N. Korea Test-Fires 2 Short-Range Missiles - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #1 07-02-2009, 10:30 AM

Happy Fourth of July from Kimmy!

N. Korea Test-Fires 2 Short-Range Missiles
By Blaine Harden
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, July 2, 2009 9:19 AM

TOKYO, July 2 -- North Korea continued to rattle its neighbors Thursday by firing two short-range missiles into waters off its east coast.
The missile tests had been widely expected, since North Korea had warned ships to avoid the east coast through July 10 because of military exercises.
South Korean military officials have told news media in Seoul that the North may be preparing to launch a number of mid-range missiles in coming days, perhaps to taunt the United States on its July 4th holiday.
Tension has been building in Northeast Asia since early spring, when North Korea launched a long-range missile over Japan. In late May it detonated its second nuclear bomb, which prompted a new round of U.N. sanctions and worldwide condemnation, even from the North's historical allies, China and Russia.
In furious reaction to the sanctions, the government of Kim Jong Il vowed last month that it would never give up nuclear weapons and would begin making a lot more of them, using enriched uranium. Prior to this threat, the North had repeatedly denied having a program to enrich uranium.
Many analysts attribute North Korea's recent brandishing of hardware and its many warnings of "merciless" war to a succession drama now underway in Pyongyang.
Kim, 67, who suffered a stroke last summer and looks sickly, is believed to be positioning his 26-year-old third son, Jong Un, to take over as leader of the communist state.
The highly visible belligerence of recent months, analysts say, may be for local consumption, as Kim demonstrates to members of his inner circle that Jong Un would be a strong leader.
In any case, North Korea has threatened to launch another long-range missile in the near future. After a Japanese newspaper reported last month that the North would aim such a missile at Hawaii and would fire it on July 4, the U.S. military increased its defenses around the Hawaiian islands.
But the missile technology of North Korea demands at least several days of preparation prior to long-range launch, and no such preparations have yet been observed, according to media reports in Seoul.
North Korea has a history of firing short-range missiles into the sea when the United States and other countries are moving to impose or enforce sanctions against it. It test fired five of them in the week after its May 25 nuclear test, as the U.N. Security Council formulated new sanctions.
The U.S. government has pressed in recent days to enforce some of those sanctions by creating a team to cut North Korea off from its foreign bankers. It has also moved to crack down on companies suspected of selling equipment that could be used in Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs.
The United States is urging China, the North largest trading partner, to enforce the new sanctions. While China has harshly criticized the North's recent nuclear test, it remains unclear if it will follow through on sanctions. China's trade with North Korea has soared since 2006, when the U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions against Pyongyang for its first nuclear tests.
Peter Goldberg, who leads a U.S. government effort to implement the new sanctions, met in Beijing on Thursday with Chinese officials.
The United States has also been tracking a North Korea ship that was suspected of carrying illicit weapons. That ship, once thought to be headed for a port in Burma, changed course this week and may be returning to North Korea.
New sanctions allow states to seize banned weapons and technology found aboard North Korean ships, but it does not authorize the use of force.
North Korea warned that any move to seize its ship would trigger a military response.

Hatterasguy · #2 07-02-2009, 11:00 AM

Lets recycle some old but good policy:

"It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from North Korea against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon North Korea."

Its time lil kim learns how the big boys play, he is in way over his head. All the President has to do is pick up that red phone and lil kim is going to learn real fast how it feels to be on the receving end. Problem solved before breakfast for us.

Fulcrum525 · #3 07-02-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Lets recycle some old but good policy:

"It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from North Korea against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon North Korea."

Very close although it should be pronounced "North Korear"

OldPokey · #4 07-02-2009, 01:03 PM

Next in the news: Japan, unnerved by North Korea's belligerent stance and China's unwillingness to intervene with its one time protege, rebuilds its military.

ILUVMILS · #5 07-02-2009, 01:17 PM

It's this kind of stuff that makes me wish Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Powell were still around!!!

450slcguy · #6 07-02-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

It's this kind of stuff that makes me wish Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Powell were still around!!!

You gotta be kidding. Powell maybe, but Cheney and Rumsfeld? Some people just never learn.

dynalow · #7 07-02-2009, 01:29 PM

Both ends of the AOE are testing the Administration...contemptiously.

"The United States has also been tracking a North Korea ship that was suspected of carrying illicit weapons. That ship, once thought to be headed for a port in Burma, changed course this week and may be returning to North Korea.
New sanctions allow states to seize banned weapons and technology found aboard North Korean ships, but it does not authorize the use of force.
North Korea warned that any move to seize its ship would trigger a military response. "

Seize banned weapons, but don't use force? How do you do that again?
"Turn them over, please. Pretty Please? Pretty Please with chocolate sprinkles on top?"
That'll get it done...... for sure.

Hatterasguy · #8 07-02-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPokey

Next in the news: Japan, unnerved by North Korea's belligerent stance and China's unwillingness to intervene with its one time protege, rebuilds its military.

Nippon Banzai!!!!

LUVMBDiesels · #9 07-02-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPokey

Next in the news: Japan, unnerved by North Korea's belligerent stance and China's unwillingness to intervene with its one time protege, rebuilds its military.

Already happening...

"
After North Korea test fired a Taepodong-1 ballistic missile over Japanese airspace[8] in August 1998, subsequent North Korean tests[9] as well as other issues contributing to rising tensions between the two countries[10] have led to increased interest in Japan for a ballistic missile defense (BMD) system. Japan is in the process of deploying a multi-tiered BMD system made up of upgraded Aegis vessels and Patriot PAC-3 missiles. Legislation that would allow authorities to authorize shooting down an incoming ballistic missile is also being considered. In December 2004, Japan and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding creating a general cooperation framework for joint development of a sea-based BMD system.[6]
In November 2005, constitutional revisions were proposed which would create a cabinet level Defense Ministry while keeping the old clauses mandating official non-aggression. Under the proposed revisions, the JSDF would also be formally referred to as a military force for the first time since its establishment. The new wording proposed is "In order to secure peace and the independence of our country as well as the security of the state and the people, military forces for self-defense shall be maintained with the prime minister of the cabinet as the supreme commander." The amendment is gaining more and more public support in recent years.[11] On June 8 2006, the Japanese cabinet endorsed a bill elevating the Defense Agency to Defense Ministry. This was passed by the Diet in December 2006.[12]"

The Japanese Self Defense Force maritime is now once again the Imperial Navy

bob_98sr5 · #10 07-02-2009, 03:44 PM

I dont see the current adminstration doing anything differently than the previous administration. So for all you Obama-ites, all the talk about engaging in dialogue with the NKs was just "vote for me" talk. Change indeed!

But frankly, I agree w/ Obama's approach---which is to say its Bush's first 6 year's approach...sorta. Better to let them know where we stand (as Hatteras wrote re previous admin.) and ignore them. KJI is desperate and trying his father's sabre rattling into getting us to cower into giving him food and fuel aid. Best to ignore the bratty kid in the sandbox, keep him contained, let him know if he steps out of the bounds, we'll kick is arse.