WAR North Korea Main Thread - All things Korea April 20th - 26th - CLOSED

[Lilbitsnana]

posted for fair use and discussion
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/04/25/80/0401000000AEN20170425006051315F.html

(LEAD) U.S. 8th Army starts base relocation by commemorating Gen. Walker

2017/04/25 14:53


(ATTN: UPDATES with commander's comments, background info in last 6 paras)

By Lee Chi-dong

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- American troops in Seoul kicked off their full-fledged relocation Tuesday to a refurbished base south of the capital with a symbolic ceremony to commemorate Gen. Walton H. Walker, a Korean War hero.

Standing in front of the 8th Army's headquarters at Yongsan garrison, the 10-foot-tall bronze statue is a token of the U.S. fight against North Korea alongside South Korea in the 1950-53 conflict and their decades-old alliance.

Walker, born in 1889 and killed in a 1950 car accident in Korea, is credited with playing a pivotal role in defending the South from the North's aggression.

He is especially known for having commanded U.S. troops at the so-called Busan Perimeter, paving the way for Gen. Douglas MacArthur's historic amphibious landing in Incheon.

Taking initial steps to move to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, the Eighth Army held the "statue transition" event. The statue will actually be transfered to the Humphreys in May and a formal unveiling ceremony is slated for July 13.

Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal, the commanding general of the 8th Army, said the statue transition "underscores" the base relocation.

"Despite the statue moving, make no mistake about it. Our alliance 'gachigapsida (Let's go together)' spirit remains ironclad and strong," he said in a speech at the event joined by more than 50 dignitaries.

They included Paik Sun-yup, a 95-year-old retired South Korean Army general. Paik, who served in the South's military during the Korean War, is the honorary commander of the Eighth U.S. Army, the core element of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea.

Vandal noted Paik is the only figure "here" to have worked together with Walker.

He also pointed out that the base relocation work has been "in the making" for about 10 years.

After a long delay, the 8th Army plans to complete its transition to the Pyeongtaek base in late June.

The remainder of the American troops in the Yongsan facilities will be relocated there by the end of this year, with the headquarters of the Combined Forces Korea staying at the current base.

Vandal described it as one of the largest base transformations in the U.S. Army's history, with US$10.7 billion invested in the Garrison Humphreys where roughly 45,000 American service members and their family members will reside.

"We all are excited to be part of this historic relocation," he said.

On the late general Walker, he said he is one of the iconic figures of the U.S. alliance with South Korea. Even a luxury hotel in Seoul and a U.S. military base in Daegu are named after the general.

Once his statute is unveiled this summer, "Gen. Walker will once again point toward the north as an everlasting remainder of the threats we face," added Vandal.

The U.S. base in Yongsan has historical implications for Koreans, originally the home to Japanese soldiers during its brutal colonial rule of Korea from 1910-45.

It will be transformed into a family park after an environmental impact survey under the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

lcd@yna.co.kr

(END)

 

[Lilbitsnana]

I thought this had been posted, but search didn't show it.


Nathan J Hunt Retweeted
Tim Sullivan‏ @ByTimSullivan 56m56 minutes ago

Parsing North Korea's missile tests, and finding grim conclusions. From @Shea_Cotton. https://goo.gl/dT8Bul



posted for fair use and discussion

lots of graphs, pics and tables that just can't be put in properly, so please go to link to see content.
http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/understanding-north-koreas-missile-tests/


Understanding North Korea’s Missile Tests

April 24, 2017

Since 2014, North Korea has dramatically altered its missile testing patterns, launching missiles much more frequently and from a variety of new locations. Recognizing the importance of understanding the proliferation implications of these patterns, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) has created a database of every known North Korean missile launch.

The CNS database reveals more subtle changes than simply an increase in the number of missiles that North Korea has launched. The data reveals:

North Korea has created sites specifically dedicated to developmental testing of missiles

North Korea has largely abandoned its original missile test site dedicated to development and design verification tests, the Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground. The regime has shifted space launches to the Sohae Satellite Launch Center, and developmental missile tests to Wonsan

Many recent launches of extended range Scud and Nodong missiles, rather than being developmental in nature, have been undertaken as operational tests at relevant military units' training grounds



Taken together, these trends make the clear and disturbing point that North Korea has been conducting launch exercises, consistent with the regime’s probable intent to deploy nuclear weapons to missile units throughout the country.

The Abandonment of Tonghae

North Korea’s totalitarian regime releases propaganda rather than facts about its missile capabilities. Analysts at CNS estimate the evolution of the regime’s true capabilities by locating every test site and examining open source evidence about the tests, from regime propaganda to satellite imagery. [1] This information helps to determine the purpose of each launch, and how well developed each missile system is. For example, if North Korea only tests a missile at a site from which it conducts developmental tests, it is highly likely the missile remains purely under development. Tests elsewhere suggest North Korea is trying to achieve some other goal than seeing whether the missile works.

North Korea established the Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground, near Musudan-ri, as its first missile testing site in 1984. Tonghae was North Korea’s primary developmental test site for its first generation of ballistic missiles. Because North Korea doesn’t disclose the names and types of its missiles, outside analysts named them after nearby locations – the villages of No-dong, Taepo-dong, and Musudan. Of the fifteen known missile launches carried out under Kim Il Sung, all but one was conducted at Tonghae. At least one-third of these developmental tests, in which North Korea experimented with different designs and attempted to perfect its reverse-engineered missile technology, ended in catastrophic failure. [2]

Developmental testing of new missiles paused for four years after Kim Jong Il succeeded his father in 1994. Kim Jong Il restarted missile testing with an attempted Taepodong launch in 1998. The missile made it off the ground and over Japan before exploding spectacularly and splashing down into the Pacific. The immediate international outcry prompted talks between the United States and North Korea, which resulted in a ballistic missile testing moratorium. [3]

After abandoning the moratorium in 2006, North Korea resumed missile testing. By then, it had converted the Tonghae facility entirely into a space launch facility, which the regime used for two more space launch attempts in 2006 and 2009 (both of which failed). North Korea moved developmental testing of new missiles to a new site near the city of Wonsan, usually called Kittaeryong. Of the 16 rockets that North Korea launched during Kim Jong Il’s rule, only 3 were launched from Tonghae and all of these were space launches – in 1998, 2006 and 2009. All other launches during this period occurred from the Wonsan area. This shift in behavior can clearly be seen in the interactive below, which displays the test locations used by Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un.

image:
http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/understanding-north-koreas-missile-tests/

View as a PDF file.


North Korea subsequently moved space launches to a new launch center on North Korea’s west coast called Sohae. There are many reasons why North Korea might have shifted space launches from Tonghae to Sohae. Space launches from Tonghae flew over Japanese territory, which the Japanese public found provocative. The new location at Sohae enables North Korea to launch SLVs southward without raising serious overflight issues.

It is less clear why North Korea moved developmental testing of new missiles. Wonsan is far closer to North Korea’s capital, and the Kim family maintains a large residential compound there. While there has been construction at Tonghae over the past few years, the site has been dormnant since 2009.

Today, most developmental testing still occurs in Wonsan – although this has begun to shift in recent months. Newer missiles such as the KN-11 (North Korea’s submarine-launched ballistic missile, or SLBM) were tested near the shipyard at Sinpo where North Korea constructs its ballistic missile submarines. A land-based version of this missile was also tested at Kusong, near the factory that makes its transporter erector launcher (TEL). The KN-11, being an SLBM, is probably tested at the submarine yard as a matter of convenience, while the land-based version was likely tested right after it rolled out of the nearby factory where it was constructed.

Testing Men, Not Metal

The CNS database makes it clear that even more significant changes to North Korea’s testing patterns under Kim Jong Un are occurring, as launches are now conducted all over North Korea rather than exclusively at conventional test sites. The strategic importance of this shift is immense.

Abandoning Tonghae in favor of sites near Sohae and Wonsan is one thing, but the vastly increased number of tests and test locations tells an important story. Why would Kim Jong Un drag his entourage all over the country to a wide array of different sites to watch tests when they could just go out to Wonsan for a few days, spend some time at Kim Jong Un’s pleasure palace, have a barbecue, and shoot off some missiles? The answer is that North Korea is training its missile units for nuclear war.

As North Korea has dramatically increased its missile tests, it has simultaneously ramped up its efforts to build an effective nuclear deterrent, conducting five nuclear tests to date. North Korea has claimed that the most recent test was to validate the design for the nuclear warhead that will arm the country’s ballistic missiles. [4] The next step would be deploying the nuclear warheads on missiles, and that requires training the units responsible for launching them in a war.

North Korea’s most reliable missiles are short and medium range systems, its Nodongs and Scuds. [5] Since Kim Jong Un took power, North Korea has conducted 33 known launches of these missiles, of which only 2 launches are known to have failed (failure being defined as exploding during flight). These are the missiles that North Korea has been testing in the largest variety of locations, and such geographic diversity is completely unique to Scuds and Nodongs. The interactive below shows the difference in reliability between North Korea’s older and more reliable missiles and its newer missiles still under development.

image:
http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/understanding-north-koreas-missile-tests/
View as a PDF file.


Although North Korea's most reliable missiles can’t hit Washington, DC, they can hit all of South Korea and most of Japan, both of which house critical U.S. military bases and tens of thousands of U.S. troops. North Korea has repeatedly released statements and maps that make clear that these launches are exercises targeting U.S. forces in South Korea and Japan.

North Korea’s newer missiles, such as its Musudans, all work much less reliably than its Scuds and Nodongs and seem to have their own dedicated testing locations. Furthermore, North Korea tests newer missiles one at a time, even if multiple tests might occur in a single day as occurred with the Musudan on April 28 and June 22, 2016. In stark contrast, North Korea’s older and more reliable Scuds and Nodongs are frequently launched simultaneously, to mimic the conditions units would operate under when using the missiles in a war. The map below displays the multitude of locations where North Korea has tested its Scuds and Nodongs. Kim Jong Un often attends these exercises personally.

imgae:
http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/understanding-north-koreas-missile-tests/
View as a PDF file.


Since January 1, 2016, North Korea has conducted 6 simultaneous or near simultaneous test launches of Nodongs and Scuds, with 16 missiles launched in total. This is not consistent with developmental testing behavior. Even North Korea is transparent about the point of these tests. Following a test on March 6, 2017, North Korea stated that the test involved a unit in the “Hwasong artillery units of the Korean People’s Army Strategic Rocket Force tasked to strike the bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces in Japan.” [6] North Korea even released pictures depicting Kim Jong Un examining a map showing the U.S. base the unit was tasked with striking. While North Korea is infamous for its outrageous propaganda, in this instance its actions line up fairly well with what it says it is doing.

Conclusion

The changes in North Korea’s testing behavior are consistent with an increasingly capable and dangerous long-range ballistic missile program. Although North Korea’s missile program originated with a few, often disparaged tests in an isolated corner of the country, it has evolved into an arsenal of delivery systems capable of deploying a credible nuclear threat. As North Korea’s most reliable missile units train for nuclear war, rapidly improving longer-range missiles remain under development.

This article is based on data found in the CNS North Korea Missile Test Database. Click here for an interactive version that enables users to examine and manipulate the data and trends.
Media inquiries about the database or accompanying graphics can be directed to jvarnum@miis.edu. Graphics created by CNS's Shea Cotton, David Steiger, and Jessica Varnum.

Sources:
[1] Rachel Becker, “The Detonation Detectives: How to decipher a North Korean missile test in just 72 hours,” The Verge, March 24, 2017, www.theverge.com.
[2] Joseph S. Bermudez, “A History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK,” Center for Nonproliferation Studies, November 1999.
[3] Kelsey Davenport, “Chronology of U.S.-North Korean Nuclear and Missile Diplomacy,” Arms Control Association, March 2017, www.armscontrol.org.
[4] Jeffrey Lewis, “Why Is North Korea's Fifth Nuclear Test Different From Its Other Tests?: A look at five other countries’ weapons milestones, and what they indicate about Kim Jong Un’s progress,” The Atlantic, September 10, 2016, www.theatlantic.com.
[5] Variants include the Scud-B, Scud-C, and ER Scud.
[6] KCNA, “Kim Jong Un Supervises Ballistic Rocket Launching Drill of Hwasong Artillery Units of KPA Strategic Force,” KCNA, March 7, 2017.

 

[Housecarl]

For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/0...s-massive-liver-fire-drill-amid-tensions.html

PACIFIC

North Korea reportedly conducts massive live-fire drill amid tensions

Published April 25, 2017
Fox News

North Korea on Tuesday reportedly conducted a huge live-fire drill that involved up to 400 artillery pieces, which may have been supervised by the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing an unnamed government source, reported that Pyongyang appeared to have deployed a number of long-range artillery units in the region of Wonsan, which is a coastal North Korean area.

South Korea’s military did not confirm the report, but told the news outlet that it is “firmly maintaining readiness.”

There was speculation that the North might carry out another nuclear or missile test.

News of the live-fire drill comes after the USS Michigan, a nuclear powered Ohio class submarine, pulled into the South Korean port of Busan for a hull check.

The Ohio class submarine will later join the USS Vinson aircraft carrier strike group for exercises in the Sea of Japan.

According to senior U.S. defense officials, the USS Vinson aircraft carrier strike group is in the Philippine Sea in waters south of Japan.

When asked about the USS Michigan, Lieutenant commander Matt Knight with U.S. Pacific Fleet told Fox News in a statement the submarine was on "routine deployment."

"U.S. Navy ships and submarines routinely make port calls in a variety of locations," Knight said. "As a matter of routine, we do not discuss future operations or the details regarding the operations of our submarines. USS Michigan is currently on a routine deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific."

Meanwhile, the entire U.S. Senate has been invited to the White House for a briefing on Wednesday about the North Korea situation.White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer confirmed the upcoming briefing, for all 100 senators.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats plan to provide the update to lawmakers.

It is rare for the entire Senate to be invited to such a briefing.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry has said the North appears ready to conduct such "strategic provocations" at any time. South Korean Acting Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has instructed his military to strengthen its "immediate response posture" in case North Korea does something significant on the April 25 anniversary of its military. North Korea often marks significant dates by displaying military capability.

On Monday, Trump also had lunch with ambassadors of countries on the U.N. Security Council. Ahead of the meeting, Trump called for “big reforms” at the U.N. and criticizing its handling of recent events in Syria and North Korea – but said it has “tremendous potential.”

"You just don't see the United Nations, like, solving conflicts. I think that's going to start happening now," he said.

 

[Warm Wisconsin]

So what happens now? Fatty listened to China and didn't conduct a nuke test or a missile test.

 

[Craftypatches]

Fat boy is playing games with us!

 

[China Connection]

Fat Boy will be doing what China and Russia tell him to do.

War is coming and not just an another little war.

 

[Michael111]

Fat Boy will be doing what China and Russia tell him to do.

War is coming and not just an another little war.

^^^^
This!

 

[SmithJ]

A sub that could be stealth, pulls into port??? Explain that to me.... makes for a sitting target that could be used like the "Maine".... makes no sense. Should be sitting silent, somewhere close, or close enough.

Because it's all show, and they are not expecting any hostilities.

 

[Oreally]

Because it's all show, and they are not expecting any hostilities.

or stupid?

 

[Lilbitsnana]

So what happens now? Fatty listened to China and didn't conduct a nuke test or a missile test.

Odds were that he wouldn't on the exact holiday.


Bruce Klingner‏ @BruceKlingner 9h9 hours ago
Replying to @mhanham

Contrary to media expectations, North Korea has never done a nuke or missile test on April 25.

 

[Lilbitsnana]

NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 9m9 minutes ago

Air China to increase flights to North Korea in May http://reut.rs/2p0rw4a via @Reuters

Air China to increase flights to North Korea in May

Air China Ltd will increase its flights between Beijing and the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, from early May, after it cancelled some flights this month because of what it said was weak demand.

NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 3m3 minutes ago

China slashes North Korea imports, holds exports steady

 

[Archetype]

A sub that could be stealth, pulls into port??? Explain that to me.... makes for a sitting target that could be used like the "Maine".... makes no sense. Should be sitting silent, somewhere close, or close enough.

Gunboat diplomacy is useless, unless the enemy can occasionally see the gunboat. We're still in the stage where deterring a war is more important than fighting one - rightly so - and the SSGN is part of that. A calculated risk, and I'm sure that it'll be back at sea quite shortly.

 

[Lilbitsnana]

NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 45m45 minutes ago

South Korea's top diplomat to attend U.N. meeting on North Korea this week



posted for fair use and discussion
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/04/25/0401000000AEN20170425008400315.html

S. Korea's top diplomat to attend U.N. meeting on N. Korea this week

2017/04/25 15:36

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se will attend a U.N. Security Council meeting on North Korea to be chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week, the foreign ministry here said Tuesday.

The ministerial meeting on Friday in New York will bring together U.S. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and officials from the council's 15 members, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"It is the first-ever meeting to be held on the issue of denuclearization of a particular country in the history of the UNSC," ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck said.

The meeting "clearly shows the seriousness and the gravity that the Trump administration and the entire UNSC, including China and Russia, are attaching to the North Korean nuclear issue," he said.

During the meeting, Yun plans to appeal for the UNSC's "pre-emptive and proactive" response to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. He will also stress that the North Korean programs pose the most urgent and serious threat to the peace and security of the international community, according to the spokesman.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Yun will also hold talks with the U.N. secretary-general and Henry Kissinger, former U.S. secretary of state, to discuss ways to denuclearize the North.

pbr@yna.co.kr

(END)

 

[Housecarl]

A sub that could be stealth, pulls into port??? Explain that to me.... makes for a sitting target that could be used like the "Maine".... makes no sense. Should be sitting silent, somewhere close, or close enough.

Gunboat diplomacy is useless, unless the enemy can occasionally see the gunboat. We're still in the stage where deterring a war is more important than fighting one - rightly so - and the SSGN is part of that. A calculated risk, and I'm sure that it'll be back at sea quite shortly.

Besides, the SSBNs on patrol are covering the area already...

 

[vestige]

A sub that could be stealth, pulls into port??? Explain that to me.... makes for a sitting target that could be used like the "Maine".... makes no sense. Should be sitting silent, somewhere close, or close enough.

Gunboat diplomacy is useless, unless the enemy can occasionally see the gunboat. We're still in the stage where deterring a war is more important than fighting one - rightly so - and the SSGN is part of that. A calculated risk, and I'm sure that it'll be back at sea quite shortly.

^^^Extremely astute observation.^^^

 

[Bubble Head]

A sub that could be stealth, pulls into port??? Explain that to me.... makes for a sitting target that could be used like the "Maine".... makes no sense. Should be sitting silent, somewhere close, or close enough.

Gunboat diplomacy is useless, unless the enemy can occasionally see the gunboat. We're still in the stage where deterring a war is more important than fighting one - rightly so - and the SSGN is part of that. A calculated risk, and I'm sure that it'll be back at sea quite shortly.

Pull the divers out of the water inspecting the hull if there really are any. Cast off lines and moments later she starts to descend into the deep. Message sent.

 

[Countrymouse]

One more time----

has there been any news as to WHEN (what time of day) that meeting between Trump and the Senate on NK Wednesday will be?

I want to know for 2 reasons:
1. I may be at work (and MSM certainly doesn't even have NK on their radar; have heard nothing about them on radio news all week)
2. Remembering how the MOAB bombing was already underway when Trump was meeting with the Chinese president makes me wonder if he'll use a similar modus operandi and will "start" something while the meeting is going on...

 

[onetimer]

One more time----

has there been any news as to WHEN (what time of day) that meeting between Trump and the Senate on NK Wednesday will be?

I want to know for 2 reasons:
1. I may be at work (and MSM certainly doesn't even have NK on their radar; have heard nothing about them on radio news all week)
2. Remembering how the MOAB bombing was already underway when Trump was meeting with the Chinese president makes me wonder if he'll use a similar modus operandi and will "start" something while the meeting is going on...

4/26/17 1:00PM EDT (1900 GMT)

 

[Melodi]

4/26/17 1:00PM EDT (1900 GMT)

I think tomorrow evening my time could be interesting..as in interesting times...

 

[TorahTips]

4/26/17 1:00PM EDT (1900 GMT)

Also, 2 AM in Korea.

 

[The Mountain]

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia North Korea forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."

 

[ElevenO]

One more time----

has there been any news as to WHEN (what time of day) that meeting between Trump and the Senate on NK Wednesday will be?

I want to know for 2 reasons:
1. I may be at work (and MSM certainly doesn't even have NK on their radar; have heard nothing about them on radio news all week)
2. Remembering how the MOAB bombing was already underway when Trump was meeting with the Chinese president makes me wonder if he'll use a similar modus operandi and will "start" something while the meeting is going on...

Regarding #2 above, the missile attack on the Syrian airbase happened when trump was meeting with the chinese president at mar-a-lago in florida. On the other hand, the MOAB attack on the taliban in afghanistan came several days later after the syrian attack had already happened and after the chinese president had already returned home to beijing.

 

[almost ready]

Countrymouse, I went over to a search engine and checked four different reports. No mention of a time of that meeting.

edited to update

https://theconservativetreehouse.co...ited-to-white-house-for-north-korea-briefing/

3 pm

 

[Bolerpuller]

Senate meeting with trump at the white house.....anyone see "Designated Survivor".

 

[Lilbitsnana]

4/26/17 1:00PM EDT (1900 GMT)

1900 GMT is 3 PM EDT; 2 PM CDT and noon PDT

And it will be 3:30 AM PYT (North Korea time)


https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converted.html?iso=20170425T19&p1=0&p2=837&p3=205

 

[Countrymouse]

thanks, everyone!

 

[Lilbitsnana]

While some of the info would have to be adjusted accordingly like driving/parking instructions, I think this pamphlet (PDF link) provides some useful info in various attack scenarios.

It gives guidance for NBC attacks, guerilla attacks, landing invasions, missiles, aerial invasion, FIRST AID for different scenarios, etc.

Kudos to Japan for at least trying and caring.

I doubt our gov would provide anything like this.


Nathan J Hunt Retweeted
Keith Walker‏Verified account @KeithWalkerNews 4h4 hours ago

�������� Tokyo issues instructions on how to respond if a North Korean ballistic missile is heading toward Japan. #DPRK http://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/en/pdf/protecting.pdf …


PDF link: http://www.kokuminhogo.go.jp/en/pdf/protecting.pdf

 

[Lilbitsnana]

Steve Herman‏Verified account @W7VOA 47m47 minutes ago

#THAAD equipment enters deployment site in #ROK amid clash between police, residents.

 

[Lilbitsnana]

NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 7m7 minutes ago

Former Pentagon official tells Senate hearing North Korea 'denuclearization is unlikely'


NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 11m11 minutes ago

Russia on high alert for possible clash in North Korea- Nikkei Asian Review


NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 12m12 minutes ago

North Korea Security Personnel Run Protection Racket Amid Tightened Border Controls


NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 13m13 minutes ago

Sabers rattle amid Korean standoff, White House to brief senators http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-04-25-16-34-44 …


NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 3h3 hours ago

John McCain: Donald Trump needs to get tougher on China about North Korea - http://go.shr.lc/2q3rlqg - @washtimes


NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 3h3 hours ago

Graham: There are 'no good choices left' with North Korea


NorthKoreaRealTime‏ @BuckTurgidson79 3h3 hours ago

Kim Jong Un Guide Military Exercises Throughout the Country http://youtu.be/qePS07D8-bE via @YouTube

 

[Warm Wisconsin]

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003660210

Japan, U.S. on high alert over N. Korea

By Seima Oki / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent
WASHINGTON — The United States, Japan and other countries surrounding North Korea are on high alert over the nation’s provocative actions, including the possibility it would conduct its sixth nuclear test, as Tuesday marked the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People’s Army.

According to Reuters and other media, the USS Michigan, an Ohio-class nuclear submarine, arrived in Busan, South Korea, on the day. The Michigan is one of the U.S. Navy’s largest submarines.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is aiming to send a strong message to Pyongyang by dispatching the nuclear-powered submarine in addition to the USS Carl Vinson nuclear aircraft carrier, which is cruising toward waters off the Korean Peninsula.

According to South Korean government sources, North Korea conducted a large-scale drill with live ammunition on Tuesday, using long-range artillery units, in an area around Wonsan in the east of the country. Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, inspected the drill, Yonhap News Agency said.

The USS Michigan is known for its strong attack capabilities — it can launch up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. It is also used for carrying U.S. Navy SEALs and serves as their base for conducting special operations.

Fox News cited multiple U.S. military sources as saying the USS Michigan was scheduled to join the strike group of the USS Carl Vinson in the Sea of Japan after undergoing maintenance. The Michigan was to participate in a joint military exercise later.

The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, declared in its online editorial Tuesday that the days in which the United States regarded nuclear power as its exclusive property had ended. It also said the world would see how Korean unification would be achieved.Speech

 

[minkykat]

Delete

 

[Housecarl]

I've posed this question before and I will again...How long until Japan, and South Korea, Taiwan, etc, decide to "roll their own" canned sunshine?

As it is, South Korea has deployed their own inerations of the Tomahawk and Pershing RR (Reduced Range) as well as Taiwan. Japan can easily start turning out similar and longer range systems.

At some point they will have to act independently to protect themselves if for no other reason than political legitimacy of their governments.

 

[night driver]

Well, Japan has LIKELY done everything except actually screw them together.

I seriously suspect that all that would need to be done would be admitting that the deed had been completed for the rest.

 

[Millwright]

Over near Memphis, listening to Ben Ferguson.

He is discussing an article in the New York Times, they are reporting how critical the situation is with NORKs.

NYT?? ....I know, right.

 

[Red Baron]

Even in South Korea, Enviro-Nazis and Leftist Peaceniks feel a need to act up despite looking down the barrel of a NK gun. It's not like the Mad Dictator of the North is going to go away by himself.
--------
THAAD equipment installation underway amid residents' protests

2017/04/26 07:42

SEOUL/SEONGJU, South Korea, April 26 (Yonhap) -- U.S. troops in South Korea began installing the equipment of an advanced missile defense system at a site in a southeastern region of the country, facing fierce protests from local residents.

The overnight, unannounced operation came just six days after U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) secured the land in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, from the South Korean government. A joint environmental survey required under the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) is not done yet, according to officials.

The allies signed a deal last year to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on the peninsula to help intercept North Korea's ballistic missiles.

Six trailers reportedly carrying the high-profile radar of the THAAD system and other elements were seen entering the site.

USFK issued no statement on the sensitive issue, but South Korea's Ministry of National Defense confirmed the start of the full-scale deployment.

"The measure this time is meant to secure early operational capability by positioning some available parts first at the site," the ministry said.

The two sides will proceed with the environmental assessment and construction of relevant facilities, it added.

The two sides plan to put the THAAD unit in full operation by the end of this year, according to the ministry.

Strongly protesting the move of the THAAD equipment to the site, a group of residents in the town clashed with police.

lcd@yna.co.kr

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2017/04/26/0301000000AEN20170426000651315.html

 

[Red Baron]

Drumbeats . . . .

Fair Use Cited
---------------
S. Korea, U.S. hold joint naval drills

2017/04/25 23:06

SEOUL/WASHINGTON, April 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States held joint live-fire exercises in the Yellow Sea on Tuesday in a show of their close alliance against North Korea, both countries said.

The drills involved the Navy's 4,400-ton destroyer Wanggeon and the USS Wayne E. Meyer, a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, South Korea's Navy said.

This photo taken on March 22, 2017, shows a joint South Korea-U.S. naval drill in the Yellow Sea. (Yonhap)

The U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet also said that it held similar exercises with Japan's Navy in the East Sea.

"Both exercises demonstrate a shared commitment to security and stability in Northeast Asia as well as the U.S. Navy's inherent flexibility to combine with allied naval forces in response to a broad range of situations," the fleet said in a statement.

South Korea and the U.S. also plan to hold another major joint naval practice "around the end of April" in the East Sea involving the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier.

The series of joint drills are aimed at demonstrating the allies' resolve to retaliate in case of the North's provocations and their "firm defense posture," the Navy said in a statement.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/04/25/0200000000AEN20170425004951315.html

 

[Warm Wisconsin]

RB that is interesting since I saw reports today saying USS Vinson isn't there yet.

HansNichols‏@HansNichols 13m13 minutes agoIt's Wed in Korea and the USS Vinson still hasn't sailed from the Philippine Sea to Sea of Japan. It's "holding," per a defense official.

Dan Lamothe‏Verified account@DanLamothe Apr 24
No kidding, the Pentagon says the Navy's Carl Vinson strike group is in the Philippine Sea today. Will remain in West Pacific for a while.

 

[energy_wave]

The US will be testing a Minute Man Missile off the West Coast tomorrow.

 

[Lilbitsnana]

RB that is interesting since I saw reports today saying USS Vinson isn't there yet.

HansNichols‏@HansNichols 13m13 minutes agoIt's Wed in Korea and the USS Vinson still hasn't sailed from the Philippine Sea to Sea of Japan. It's "holding," per a defense official.

Dan Lamothe‏Verified account@DanLamothe Apr 24
No kidding, the Pentagon says the Navy's Carl Vinson strike group is in the Philippine Sea today. Will remain in West Pacific for a while.

Both tweets could be correct and the article is correct.

The exercise took place in the yellow sea on Tuesday, but apparently the Vinson was not involved with that exercise.

South Korea and the United States held joint live-fire exercises in the Yellow Sea on Tuesday in a show of their close alliance against North Korea, both countries said.

The drills involved the Navy's 4,400-ton destroyer Wanggeon and the USS Wayne E. Meyer, a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, South Korea's Navy said.

The Vinson will be in the next exercise.

South Korea and the U.S. also plan to hold another major joint naval practice "around the end of April" in the East Sea involving the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier.

map of area

 

[Red Baron]

RB that is interesting since I saw reports today saying USS Vinson isn't there yet.

HansNicholsþ@HansNichols 13m13 minutes agoIt's Wed in Korea and the USS Vinson still hasn't sailed from the Philippine Sea to Sea of Japan. It's "holding," per a defense official.

Dan LamotheþVerified account@DanLamothe Apr 24
No kidding, the Pentagon says the Navy's Carl Vinson strike group is in the Philippine Sea today. Will remain in West Pacific for a while.

DJT said he was sending an "armada" but never specified an exact time frame, which would be foolish actually.

The MSM and the blogosphere went wild with speculation but ran with very few facts, which is typical.

For defensive purposes there are likely enough submarine, missile and air assets available to deal with any overt NK aggression.

I think what we are seeing now is a long drawn out diplomatic and military escalation ultimately aimed at regime change in NK.

Personally I think Lil' Kim is full of bluster and will back down from any overt aggression because too many resources are being assembled just waiting for him to do something stupid.

Time is on our side and just like the administration has stated, either China reins it's proxy in or we are going to do it by ourselves and on our own terms.