The Korean Missile Crisis Thread

[OhOh]

The Chinese are cultivating the SK's, the Russians the NK's. Unfortunatly the amristanis and Japanese are discussing yesterdays golf game.

[Klondyke]

The Chinese are cultivating the SK's, the Russians the NK's. Unfortunatly the amristanis and Japanese are discussing yesterdays golf game.

Just roll with it! Japanese PM AbJust roll with it! Japanese PM Abe ‘falls into sand bunker’ while golfing with Trump (VIDEO)
e ‘falls into sand bunker’ while golfing with Trump (VIDEO)

A round of golf between Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe has become a social media hit in Japan after a man that appeared to be the Japanese PM slipped on a patch of grass and comically rolled into a sand bunker. Luckily, the US president failed to notice the whole slip up.
The golf gaffe was caught on an aerial video at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture Sunday. The man, said to be Abe, had hit his ball out of the bunker, however, he unintentionally and hilariously ended up right back in the sand just after getting out.

[OhOh]

It appears that DPRK have launched another rocket into the sea. The rocket reached a new high for altitude which many have siggested the DPRK now have a true ICBM.

ameristani spokeswoman Ms Haley has indicated the DPRK will be "utterly destroyed".

" US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley ratcheted up talk of war with North Korea in reaction to the isolated country's most recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, warning that Kim Jong-un’s government is on a road to ruin.


During an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Haley asked the members of the panel to increase the sanctions imposed on North Korea and to implement penalties established by the council earlier in the year, The Hill reported.


Haley also warned the panel that North Korea's latest missile test has brought Pyongyang and Washington “closer to war.”

“If war comes, make no mistake, the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed,” Haley said.


“The dictator of North Korea made a choice yesterday that brings the world closer to war, not farther from it,” Ambassador Haley added."

https://www.rt.com/usa/411382-haley-north-korea-utterly-destroyed/


Meanwhile the Russian Foreign Minister has suggested that ameristan should spell it out clearly and let the ameristani leadership confirm it.

"

Commenting on the latest developments, Lavrov said it seems that the US wants North Korea to resume the tests. “The latest US action seemed to be directed towards provoking Pyongyang into taking some rash action,” he told journalists on Thursday. The foreign minister called the missile test “an adventure,” but said that Washington has apparently been trying to goad North Korean leader Kim Jong-un into it.


“The Americans should start with explaining their intentions to us all. If they are really looking for an excuse to destroy North Korea, as the US envoy to the UN said at a Security Council meeting, let them spell it out clearly and let the US leadership confirm it. Then we will decide how to react,” Lavrov said."


https://www.rt.com/news/411394-us-pr...nkorea-lavrov/

[Wilsonandson]

Published on Nov 30, 2017
New footage shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and military personnel overseeing the launch of its newest type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which could "target the entire area of mainland United States," televised governmental broadcast on Thursday.

[Klondyke]

U.S. PROVOKED NORTH KOREA INTO FIRING MISSILE OVER JAPAN, SAYS RUSSIA
8/29/17 NEWSWEEK LLC

The U.S. and South Korea are to blame for North Korea’s latest missile launch over Japan, and further sanctions on the regime will not ameliorate the situation, Russia said Tuesday.

Anticipating more of the same to follow, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told journalists on Tuesday that U.S. actions were pushing the regime toward more tests, not halting it, state news agency Itar-Tass reported.

“If we go by how colleagues from the U.S. and other western countries have acted in the past, then of course we can expect new steps towards tightening the sanctions, but this will not solve the problem,” Ryabkov said. “It is now obvious to everyone that the resources for influencing North Korea with sanctions have run out.”

Ryabkov referred to the joint military exercises the U.S. is currently holding with ally South Korea.

U.S. Provoked North Korea Into Firing Missile Over Japan, Says Russia

(sorry, cannot find a link to RT... )

[harrybarracuda]

Sanctions won't work because the fat little c u n t in charge would watch his people starve before he gave in.

He won't go hungry.

[OhOh]

It seems the DPRK leader has taken note of the actions of ameristan and vassals against previous countries when they gave up their defensive weapons.

Better off eating grass than being slaughterd from 10,000m.

[Klondyke]

"Don't provoke me", shouts a robber armed to the teeth in front of door of a poor cottager who locks his door, preparing his rifle...

[OhOh]

It seems the DPRK leader has taken note of the actions of ameristan and vassals against previous countries when they gave up their defensive weapons.

Better off eating grass than being slaughterd from 10,000m.

[HuangLao]

Continuously in search of a boogieman.
And those who buy into it.

[OhOh]

Allegedly the ameristanis have discovered a new use of the mouth. Talking.

Some are now urging talks with the DPRK. Others say it indicates the ameristani's big stick is now ready.

Tillerson says US willing to talk with DPRK 'without precondition' - Global Times"US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday that Washington is willing to begin talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "without pre-condition."

"We're ready to have the first meeting without precondition," Tillerson told a policy forum at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank.

"Let's just meet," the top US diplomat told an audience of around 300. "We can talk about the weather if you want. We can talk about whether it's going to be a square table or a round table."

"Can we at least sit down and see each other face to face, and then we can begin to lay out a map, a road map, of what we might be willing to work towards," Tillerson said, changing the tough tone long being held by the Trump administration and suggesting some initial contacts to set the ground rules for further negotiations.

Tillerson noted that a dialogue is possible whenever Pyongyang is ready.

Tillerson's remarks came two weeks after the DPRK successfully test-fired a newly developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, drawing strong condemnation from the international community.

Washington and Pyongyang has been exchanging harsh rhetoric in the past months, with US President Donald Trump threatening to rain down "fire and fury" and "totally destroy" the country.

Before Tillerson's speech, the United States has insisted that negotiations should be based on the DPRK's nuclear disarmament."

[Klondyke]

^ For the start the WH purchased the best tickets at the Winter Olympics...

[OhOh]

^ I suppose it's one way ameristanis have not tried to overthrow a government. This time it includes their own.

[Klondyke]

Putin yesterday in his annual Q&A on Washington Asking For Russian Help with North Korea:

[uncle junior]

The US reportedly wants a limited strike on North Korea to give Kim Jong Un a 'bloody nose'


After months of resolutely declaring that it cannot and will not tolerate a nuclear-armed North Korea, the US is reportedly planning a "bloody nose" attack to send Pyongyang a message.

The Daily Telegraph cited "well-placed" sources as saying the Trump administration had "dramatically" stepped up preparations for a military response to North

Korea's nuclear provocations.

Those possible responses include destroying a launch site before North Korea could test a missile and targeting a stockpile of weapons, according to The Telegraph.

"The Pentagon is trying to find options that would allow them to punch the North Koreans in the nose, get their attention and show that we're serious," a former US security official briefed on policy told The Telegraph.

The report said the Trump administration had the April 7 strike on a Syrian airfield in mind as a blueprint for the move against North Korea.

http://www.businessinsider.com/us-re...-korea-2017-12

[OhOh]

Time to read the DPRK/China mutual defence agreement, again.

[uncle junior]

Mutual?

[OhOh]

Mutual?

Allegedly yes. After all DPRK has all the Anthrax.


"Article II The Contracting Parties undertake jointly to adopt all measures to prevent aggression against either of the Contracting Parties by any state. In the event of one of the Contracting Parties being subjected to the armed attack by any state or several states jointly and thus being involved in a state of war, the other Contracting Party shall immediately render military and other assistance by all means at its disposal. "

https://www.marxists.org/subject/chi...china_dprk.htm

[OhOh]

Somebody appearing to be so impressed with another's knowledge of Curling.



2018. Photo: Yonhap via Reuters
"It is difficult to point to a recent picture of South Korean President Moon Jae-in in which he is not beaming.

This should not be surprising. Be it hosting an A-list North Korean delegation to the Winter Games, successfully navigating perilous diplomatic waters between China, Japan and the US, or benefitting from a domestic opposition that is in utter disarray, the sun is shining upon Moon.


The liberal politician, a former special forces soldier, ex-human rights lawyer and key aide to the late liberal president Roh Moo-hyun, assumed office after his second presidential bid in May 2017, when he won the snap election called following the impeachment of conservative rival Park Geun-hye (currently on trial and in detention) in March of that year.


Bright outlook for Moon

Moon is a masterly people politician who never tires of taking selfies with fans. His popularity has taken two minor dents this year after his government’s moves to ban Bitcoin trading and promote an inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team proved unpopular among youngsters. But his support base remains massive.
“Right now his popularity is at one of the all-time highest for a South Korean president – over 60% support is unprecedented,” said James Kim, a research fellow who studies public opinion at the Asan Institute. “Things are looking good for him.”
He is the master of the political landscape. His Democratic Party has 121 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly, while the conservative opposition is close behind, with 117 seats. But the conservatives, since Park’s ouster, have been in disarray and are facing a leadership issue, which is not expected to be resolved until later this year.



Stars align for Moon | Asia Times

[misskit]

Exclusive: U.S. prepares high-seas crackdown on North Korea sanctions evaders - sources

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration and key Asian allies are preparing to expand interceptions of ships suspected of violating sanctions on North Korea, a plan that could include deploying U.S. Coast Guard forces to stop and search vessels in Asia-Pacific waters, senior U.S. officials said.

Washington has been talking to regional partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore, about coordinating a stepped-up crackdown that would go further than ever before in an attempt to squeeze Pyongyang’s use of seagoing trade to feed its nuclear missile program, several officials told Reuters.


While suspect ships have been intercepted before, the emerging strategy would expand the scope of such operations but stop short of imposing a naval blockade on North Korea. Pyongyang has warned it would consider a blockade an act of war.


The strategy calls for closer tracking and possible seizure of ships suspected of carrying banned weapons components and other prohibited cargo to or from North Korea, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Depending on the scale of the campaign, the United States could consider beefing up the naval and air power of its Pacific Command, they said.


The U.S.-led initiative, which has not been previously reported, shows Washington’s increasing urgency to force North Korea into negotiations over the abandonment of its weapons programs, the officials said.


North Korea may be only a few months away from completing development of a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, despite existing international sanctions that, at times, have been sidestepped by smuggling and ship-to-ship transfers at sea of banned goods, according to officials.


“There is no doubt we all have to do more, short of direct military action, to show (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un we mean business,” said a senior administration official.


The White House declined official comment.


The effort could target vessels on the high seas or in the territorial waters of countries that choose to cooperate. It was unclear, however, to what extent the campaign might extend beyond Asia.


Washington on Friday slapped sanctions on dozens more companies and vessels linked to North Korean shipping trade and urged the United Nations to blacklist a list of entities, a move it said was aimed at shutting down North Korea’s illicit maritime smuggling activities to obtain oil and sell coal.


Tighter sanctions plus a more assertive approach at sea could dial up tensions at a time when fragile diplomacy between North and South Korea has gained momentum. It would also stretch U.S. military resources needed elsewhere, possibly incur massive new costs and fuel misgivings among some countries in the region.
BOARDING SHIPS

The initiative, which is still being developed, would be fraught with challenges that could risk triggering North Korean retaliation and dividing the international community.


China and Russia, which have blocked U.S. efforts at the United Nations to win approval for use of force in North Korea interdiction operations, are likely to oppose new actions if they see the United States as overstepping. A Chinese official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said such steps should only be taken under United Nations auspices.


But Washington is expected to start gradually ratcheting up such operations soon even if discussions with allies have not been completed, according to the senior U.S. official.


U.S. experts are developing legal arguments for doing more to stop sanctions-busting vessels, citing the last U.N. Security Council resolution which they say opened the door by calling on states to inspect suspect ships on the high seas or in their waters.


Washington is also drawing up rules of engagement aimed at avoiding armed confrontation at sea, the officials said.


Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told reporters in Washington on Friday the United States does not rule out boarding ships for inspections.


But U.S. officials said privately that such actions, especially the use of boarding crews, would be decided on a case-by-case and with utmost caution.


Some U.S. officials believe the risk could be minimized if Coast Guard cutters, which carry less firepower and technically engage in law-enforcement missions, are used in certain cases rather than warships.


The Coast Guard declined to address whether it might deploy ships to the Asia-Pacific region but acknowledged its ties to countries there. “Future ship deployments would depend on U.S. foreign policy objectives and the operational availability of our assets,” said spokesman Lieutenant Commander Dave French.



‘THE MORE PARTNERS WE HAVE’


A senior South Korean government official said there had been discussions over “intensified maritime interdictions,” including at a foreign ministers’ meeting in Vancouver last month where U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pressed counterparts on the issue.


“We are discussing with various countries including the U.S. and South Korea how to fully implement the sanctions but I have not heard talk of creating a framework or a coalition,” said a Japanese defense ministry official involved in policy planning.


The Trump administration has also sought greater cooperation from Southeast Asian countries, which may have little military capability to assist but are seen as sources of intelligence on ship movements, U.S. officials said.



“The more partners we have, the more resources we have to dedicate to the effort,” said Chris Ford, assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation. He declined to talk about discussions with specific countries.


Washington is especially interested in detecting of ship-to-ship transfers at sea of banned goods, something North Korea has increasingly resorted to as vessels have faced greater scrutiny of their cargo in Asian ports, the officials said.


Reuters reported in December that Russian tankers had supplied fuel to North Korea at sea in a violation of sanctions. Washington also said at the time it had evidence that vessels from several countries, including China, had engaged in shipping oil products and coal. China denied the allegation.


U.S. interception of ships close to Chinese waters is something likely to be avoided, in favor of informing Chinese authorities of banned cargo onboard and asking them do the inspection, one official said.


“It’s probably impossible to stop everything, but you can raise the cost to North Korea,” said David Shear, former deputy secretary of defense for Asia under President Barack Obama.


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-n...-idUSKCN1G72UY

[Klondyke]

“It’s probably impossible to stop everything, but you can raise the cost to North Korea,”

It will teach them (at the next Winter Olympics) not to reject meeting US VP who surely wanted to give them a hand. And/or watch the events together with the cute Kim's sister as the SK president did.

And it surely will hinder the NK nuclear development...

[SKkin]

U.S. Coast Guard forces to stop and search vessels in Asia-Pacific waters

Just stop and think about that one for a moment. Really? FFS!

[Grampa]

Just stop and think about that one for a moment. Really? FFS!

International waters?

F that.

[OhOh]

It's called piracy. Like the Somalis are allegedly doing. The UN asks all that are able to help out. Many countries have.

Will the UN similarly request all that can to help resist this blatant act of war.

Australia is now Asian. I'm sure the Oz PM agreed to that after his pizza with all the toppings orgy.

When asked to intercept by an amirstani Admiral the Chinese captain said , "We do not approach container vessels as some are known disable warships and kill sailors".

[OhOh]

Allegedly ameristan has dropped any requirements prior to the upcoming talks between DPRK and ameristan.

Could the Kim-Trump summit succeed?

Optimism about the proposed North Korea-US denuclearization talks must be tempered with cautious realism

By Ramesh Thakur Canberra, March 18, 2018 12:31 PM (UTC+8)



“We will see if Pyongyang’s message today, that it is willing to hold talks, represents the first steps along the path to denuclearization,” U.S. press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement Monday released ahead of Moon and Kim’s latest comments about lowering the bar for talks.
Sanders added that the U.S., South Korea and the international community “broadly agree” that denuclearization must be the ultimate result of any dialogue with North Korea.


“As President Trump has said, there is a brighter path available for North Korea if it chooses denuclearization,” Sanders said.

Could the Kim-Trump summit succeed? | Asia Times