night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
thinking here that Moon, who is a Korea Special Ops Vet, is HARDLY the limp-wristed Lefty that he has been portrayed in SK Press.
WAR North Korea Main Thread - All things Korea May 12th - May 18th
- Thread starter Housecarl
- Start date
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- Tags
- crisis icbm north korea nuclear
thinking here that Moon, who is a Korea Special Ops Vet, is HARDLY the limp-wristed Lefty that he has been portrayed in SK Press.
WildDaisy
God has a plan, Trust it!
He's doing exactly what his father and grandfather did before him. Rattle the cage and cause problems until they "negotiate" with you, then get some sanctions dropped and things you need for your country in the negotiation so you will "stop" the rattling. Wait a few years and do it again. They never really are going to do anything. They use it like a kid uses a temper tantrum at the check out line candy rack. Throw the fit until you get that candy bar.
Every President before Trump has been the same. I don't think Kim has realized that this time it is different, but he's testing to see if Trump is the same and will negotiate for the things Kim wants.
Every President before Trump has been the same. I don't think Kim has realized that this time it is different, but he's testing to see if Trump is the same and will negotiate for the things Kim wants.
Possible Impact
TB Fanatic
Steve Herman Verified account @W7VOA 28m
Russia defense ministry says
DPRK missile test posed “no danger to the Russian Federation,”
landing in sea ~500km from Russian territory.
Possible Impact
TB Fanatic
Sputnik Verified account @SputnikInt 1m
NorthKorean problem:
Washington sees no options 'apart from starting a war'
https://sptnkne.ws/ew8x
NorthKorean problem:
Washington sees no options 'apart from starting a war'
https://sptnkne.ws/ew8x
Ordinary Girl
Veteran Member
I really wonder if trump,is ever going to do something about this.
Be Well
may all be well
Kim Jong Un-hinged is wondering too.
Trump does not ammounce his plans ahead of time. He uses Sun Tzu's The Art of War to get things done.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Russia is saying one thing and the US is saying another. The US can pass this off to Russia if this really did land that close, and Russia doesn't want to be passed off to so they're denying it. Maybe we'll have something conclusive which both sides will agree on in the coming days.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-idUSKBN1890UO
(fair use applies)
North Korea fires missile that lands in sea near Russia
By Ju-min Park and Idrees Ali | SEOUL/WASHINGTON
Sun May 14, 2017 | 2:45pm EDT
North Korea, defying calls to rein in its weapons program, fired a ballistic missile that landed in the sea near Russia on Sunday, days after a new leader came to power in South Korea pledging to engage Pyongyang in dialogue.
The U.S. military's Pacific Command said it was assessing the type of missile that was fired but it was "not consistent with an intercontinental ballistic missile". The U.S. threat assessment has not changed from a national security standpoint, a U.S. official said.
Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said the missile could be a new type. It flew for 30 minutes before dropping into the sea between North Korea's east coast and Japan. North Korea has consistently test-fired missiles in that direction.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the missile landed 97 km (60 miles) south of Russia's Vladivostok region.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called the launch a message by Pyongyang to South Korea after the election of President Moon Jae-in, who took office on Wednesday.
"You first have to get into Kim Jong Un's head - which is, he's in a state of paranoia, he's incredibly concerned about anything and everything around him," Haley told ABC's "This Week" program, referring to North Korea's leader.
Haley added that the United States will "continue to tighten the screws," referring to sanctions and working with the international community to put pressure on Pyongyang.
The White House mentioned Russia in its earlier statement about the launch. "With the missile impacting so close to Russian soil – in fact, closer to Russia than to Japan – the President cannot imagine that Russia is pleased," the White House said, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump.
The launch served as a call for all nations to implement stronger sanctions against North Korea, it added.
The missile flew 700 km (430 miles) and reached an altitude of more than 2,000 km (1,245 miles), according to officials in South Korea and Japan, further and higher than an intermediate-range missile North Korea successfully tested in February from the same region of Kusong, northwest of its capital, Pyongyang.
An intercontinental ballistic missile is considered to have a range of more than 6,000 km (3,700 miles).
North Korea is widely believed to be developing an intercontinental missile tipped with a nuclear weapon that is capable of reaching the United States. Trump has vowed not to let that happen.
Experts said the altitude reached by the missile tested on Sunday meant it was launched at a high trajectory, which would limit the lateral distance it traveled. But if it was fired at a standard trajectory, it would have a range of at least 4,000 km (2,500 miles), experts said.
Kim Dong-yub of Kyungnam University's Institute of Far Eastern Studies in Seoul said he estimated a standard trajectory would give it a range of 6,000 km (3,700 miles).
"The launch may indeed represent a new missile with a long range," said Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, referring to the estimated altitude of more than 2,000 km (1,240 miles). "It is definitely concerning."
Speaking in Beijing, Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, told reporters Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula, including the latest missile launch, and expressed "mutual concerns" about growing tensions.
Putin is in Beijing for a conference on a plan for a new Silk Road. Delegations from the United States, South Korea and North Korea are also there.
The launch, at 5:27 a.m. Seoul time (2027 GMT Saturday), came two weeks after North Korea fired a missile that disintegrated minutes into flight, marking its fourth consecutive failure since March.
'CLEAR VIOLATION'
South Korea's new president Moon held his first National Security Council in response to the launch, which he called a "clear violation" of U.N. Security Council resolutions, his office said.
"The president said while South Korea remains open to the possibility of dialogue with North Korea, it is only possible when the North shows a change in attitude," Yoon Young-chan, Moon's press secretary, told a briefing.
Moon won Tuesday's election on a platform of a moderate approach to North Korea and has said he would be willing to go to Pyongyang under the right circumstances, arguing dialogue must be used in parallel with sanctions.
China, North Korea's sole main ally which nevertheless objects to its weapons programs, called for restraint and for no one to exacerbate tensions.
"China opposes relevant launch activities by North Korea that are contrary to Security Council resolutions," China's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said North Korea's missile launches were a "grave threat to our country and a clear violation of U.N. resolutions".
Ambassador Haley said the launch was not the way for North Korea to earn a meeting with Trump, who has said he would be "honored" to meet Kim Jong Un under the right circumstances.
Trump said in an interview with Reuters in April that a "major, major conflict" with North Korea was possible but he would prefer a diplomatic outcome. On Saturday, a top North Korean diplomat said Pyongyang was open to dialogue with the Trump administration under the right conditions.
Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, said among the responses expected from the Trump administration would be further pressure on all countries to fully implement U.N. Security Council sanctions resolutions against North Korea.
North Korean attempted but failed to test-launch ballistic missiles four times in the past two months. It has conducted various tests since the beginning of last year at an unprecedented pace. It also conducted its fourth and fifth nuclear tests last year.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
First let me stress that my issue is not with you or your post PI. (I'm trying to remember to type this sort of clarification more often!). I always read your posts with much interest, and I look forward to them. I also do not usually take issue with Sputnik, although some posters have posted that they do in general take issue with them as a news source when I've posted articles from them in the past. I do however take issue with that tweet and the headline to the article to which the tweet is referring, which are both sensationalistic and which are in fact misleading. That is a quote from a longer quote given by some 'expert' on the subject, it's not an official declaration from anyone.
Here's the article, I highlighted the quote in the article so anyone interested can see the context. I'm also not going to highlight the headline because it is in fact so misleading and I don't want anyone just doing a quick browse of the thread to get the wrong idea.
https://sputniknews.com/world/201705141053606290-united-states-north-korea-stance/
(fair use applies)
North Korean Problem: Washington Sees No Options 'Apart From Starting a War'
17:12 14.05.2017(updated 18:07 14.05.2017)
It seems that unleashing a war against North Korea remains one of the White House's very few options to reign in Kim Jong Un, John Dunn, Professor Emeritus of Political Theory at Cambridge University, told Sputnik.
In an interview with Sputnik, John Dunn, Professor Emeritus of Political Theory at Cambridge University, focused on Washington's current stance on North Korea, especially in light of Pyongyang's latest missile test.
The interview came after media reports said that the CIA had established a Korea Mission Centre to contain the nuclear threat emanating from Pyongyang.
The center will employ all of the CIA resources to direct efforts against the looming North Korean menace.
The creation of a mission center focused on one country signifies that the Trump Administration is taking a more forceful approach towards the belligerent East Asian country, media reports said.
The move comes as South Korea elected a new president who prefers a diplomatic and more conciliatory stance toward Pyongyang.
The CIA's first new mission center since it reorganized two years ago will be devoted specifically to North Korea. https://t.co/cazRuRrcow pic.twitter.com/5NFLLSi9Dk
— Defense One (@DefenseOne) 14 мая 2017 г.
— Defense One (@DefenseOne) 14 мая 2017 г.
Moon Jae-in, the former human rights lawyer, won support of nearly forty two per cent of the electorate.
The sixty-four-year old leftist liberal wants to adopt a softer approach towards North Korea. He believes that the hardline policy that Seoul has maintained towards Pyongyang is futile.
#CIA creates unit to monitor #Pyongyang’s nuclear & ballistic missile programs https://t.co/sNVDaeyU4Q #NorthKorea pic.twitter.com/Fh6255N8Md
— RT (@RT_com) 11 мая 2017 г.
— RT (@RT_com) 11 мая 2017 г.
Commenting on the CIA's decision to create a Korea Mission Center, John Dunn described it as "the beginning of the Trump Administration's actual response to North Korea" and the sign that the North Korean problem got worse."
At the same time, he said that it can be seen as part of the operating style of the Trump Administration, which is known more for its loud bark rather than its bite.
"It's just an announcement and it's not clear what America can do about North Korea apart from starting a war," Dunn said.
Referring to North Korea, he remained downbeat about the current US and South Korean leaders' ability to resolve what he described as a "really tough sort of problem."
"I don't think there is any reason to anticipate that the new South Korean President will be more successful than some of his predecessors who were very keen to improve relations [with Pyongyang]. Also, I don't think Trump will be more effective than previous American Presidents [in terms of solving the North Korean issue]," Dunn added.
Meanwhile, media outlets have quoted the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying on Sunday that Pyongyang had launched an unidentified missile, presumably a ballistic one, in the vicinity of Kusong, North Pyongan Province, which flew about 430 miles and fell in the Sea of Japan.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that the missile presumably flew for 30 minutes, not reaching the Japanese exclusive economic zone.
At the same time, the US Pacific Command said that it had detected and tracked the North Korean missile launch, but there was no confirmation that it was an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Last edited:
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...949fd8-38b2-11e7-a59b-26e0451a96fd_story.html
(fair use applies)
Launching missiles is not the path to talks with the U.S., Haley tells North Korea
By Anna Fifield
May 14 at 11:32 AM
TOKYO — If Kim Jong Un wants to meet President Trump, he’s going the wrong way about it, Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday after North Korea’s latest missile launch.
The missile appeared to have a significantly longer range than others North Korea has tested recently, analysts said, suggesting Kim’s regime had tested a new kind of rocket, perhaps a precursor to an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the mainland United States.
This latest provocation coincided with the opening of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, concerning Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitious development project. This could encourage China to use its leverage over North Korea to stop the missile and nuclear tests, as Trump has been urging Xi to do.
But at the same time as talking tough, Trump has also called Kim a “smart cookie” and said he would be “honored” to meet the North Korean leader. A North Korean diplomat in charge of U.S. affairs said over the weekend that Pyongyang would hold talks with Washington “under the right conditions.”
But Haley, speaking Sunday after the latest missile launch, said talks could not take place while such provocations continued.
“Having a missile test is not the way to sit down with the president because he’s absolutely not going to do it,” Haley told ABC News’s “This Week.” “Until he meets our conditions, we’re not sitting down with him.”
During the past couple of years, North Korea has said it would hold talks with the United States — as long as denuclearization was not on the agenda, a dealbreaker for Washington. Meanwhile, Washington has said it will not hold talks without some kind of nuclear freeze or suspension from North Korea.
That has led to a stalemate where the Obama administration and now the Trump administration have refused to talk, and the regime in Pyongyang has pressed ahead with its weapons programs.
North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Sunday, sending it from a launch site near its border with China 435 miles into the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
The U.S. military said that the flight was “not consistent” with an intercontinental ballistic missile, but it did not identify what type of missile it was.
After successful missile tests, North Korea releases photos through its state media — usually showing a beaming Kim overseeing the launch — and analysts are now waiting for photos from Sunday’s launch to determine exactly what was fired.
But initial data suggested it could be the “mystery missile” that North Korea displayed during a huge parade in Pyongyang last month.
The black-and-white projectiles looked like the KN-08, an intercontinental ballistic missile, but were slightly smaller. South Korean media, citing military officials, had previously reported that North Korea was working on shorter versions of its known ICBM models.
John Schilling, an aerospace engineer who specializes in rockets, said that the missile launched Sunday was “almost certainly the ‘mini KN-08.’”
David Wright, co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, reached the same conclusion after studying the flight path of the missile.
It flew 435 miles but took 30 minutes to do so — meaning that it would have reached an apogee of about 1,240 miles, Wright said.
If it had been launched on a standard trajectory, it would have a technical range of 2,800 miles, he said. This would easily put the American territory of Guam within range.
Schilling said Sunday’s missile could be a “test bed” for an ICBM, being smaller than the KN-08 but using the same engines.
“If so, the ICBM program is more advanced than we had thought,” Schilling said. “It will still need more testing, including a full scale version, so it’s still more than a year out — but maybe not the five years we had hoped for.”
North Korea’s leader has said his regime is in the “final stage” of preparations to test an intercontinental ballistic missile, and while this may be North Korean bluster, with every test his engineers make a little more progress toward his goal.
Wright pointed out that other countries have taken decades to achieve Kim’s aim of developing longer-range missiles. “What we see in the meantime is they are getting longer ranges than before and they are trying to scale up to intercontinental range,” he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's the video of Amb Haley on ABC's This Week:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgjAlGtrtoY
(fair use applies)
Launching missiles is not the path to talks with the U.S., Haley tells North Korea
By Anna Fifield
May 14 at 11:32 AM
TOKYO — If Kim Jong Un wants to meet President Trump, he’s going the wrong way about it, Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday after North Korea’s latest missile launch.
The missile appeared to have a significantly longer range than others North Korea has tested recently, analysts said, suggesting Kim’s regime had tested a new kind of rocket, perhaps a precursor to an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the mainland United States.
This latest provocation coincided with the opening of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, concerning Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitious development project. This could encourage China to use its leverage over North Korea to stop the missile and nuclear tests, as Trump has been urging Xi to do.
But at the same time as talking tough, Trump has also called Kim a “smart cookie” and said he would be “honored” to meet the North Korean leader. A North Korean diplomat in charge of U.S. affairs said over the weekend that Pyongyang would hold talks with Washington “under the right conditions.”
But Haley, speaking Sunday after the latest missile launch, said talks could not take place while such provocations continued.
“Having a missile test is not the way to sit down with the president because he’s absolutely not going to do it,” Haley told ABC News’s “This Week.” “Until he meets our conditions, we’re not sitting down with him.”
During the past couple of years, North Korea has said it would hold talks with the United States — as long as denuclearization was not on the agenda, a dealbreaker for Washington. Meanwhile, Washington has said it will not hold talks without some kind of nuclear freeze or suspension from North Korea.
That has led to a stalemate where the Obama administration and now the Trump administration have refused to talk, and the regime in Pyongyang has pressed ahead with its weapons programs.
North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Sunday, sending it from a launch site near its border with China 435 miles into the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
The U.S. military said that the flight was “not consistent” with an intercontinental ballistic missile, but it did not identify what type of missile it was.
After successful missile tests, North Korea releases photos through its state media — usually showing a beaming Kim overseeing the launch — and analysts are now waiting for photos from Sunday’s launch to determine exactly what was fired.
But initial data suggested it could be the “mystery missile” that North Korea displayed during a huge parade in Pyongyang last month.
The black-and-white projectiles looked like the KN-08, an intercontinental ballistic missile, but were slightly smaller. South Korean media, citing military officials, had previously reported that North Korea was working on shorter versions of its known ICBM models.
John Schilling, an aerospace engineer who specializes in rockets, said that the missile launched Sunday was “almost certainly the ‘mini KN-08.’”
David Wright, co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, reached the same conclusion after studying the flight path of the missile.
It flew 435 miles but took 30 minutes to do so — meaning that it would have reached an apogee of about 1,240 miles, Wright said.
If it had been launched on a standard trajectory, it would have a technical range of 2,800 miles, he said. This would easily put the American territory of Guam within range.
Schilling said Sunday’s missile could be a “test bed” for an ICBM, being smaller than the KN-08 but using the same engines.
“If so, the ICBM program is more advanced than we had thought,” Schilling said. “It will still need more testing, including a full scale version, so it’s still more than a year out — but maybe not the five years we had hoped for.”
North Korea’s leader has said his regime is in the “final stage” of preparations to test an intercontinental ballistic missile, and while this may be North Korean bluster, with every test his engineers make a little more progress toward his goal.
Wright pointed out that other countries have taken decades to achieve Kim’s aim of developing longer-range missiles. “What we see in the meantime is they are getting longer ranges than before and they are trying to scale up to intercontinental range,” he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's the video of Amb Haley on ABC's This Week:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgjAlGtrtoY
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
http://38north.org/2017/05/jschilling051417/
(fair use applies)
North Korea’s Latest Missile Test: Advancing towards an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) While Avoiding US Military Action
By John Schilling
14 May 2017
North Korea’s latest successful missile test represents a level of performance never before seen from a North Korean missile. The missile would have flown a distant of some 45oo kilometers if launched on a maximum trajectory. It appears to have not only demonstrated an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that might enable them to reliably strike the US base at Guam, but more importantly, may represent a substantial advance to developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Given speculation over the past months about the possibility of military action by the Trump administration to prevent Pyongyang from acquiring such a weapons, the possible testing of ICBM subsystems in this low-key manner may be a North Korean hedge against the possibility of such action.
We are still awaiting more details on this test, and if the North Koreans follow their usual practice we can expect photographs soon. But unless Pyongyang is hiding something completely new, there’s only one real candidate for this missile. During last month’s parade, one genuinely new missile was revealed – one that looks very much like a small, two-stage version of their three-stage KN-08 ICBM prototype, on displayed on a mobile launcher previously used for the “Musudan” intermediate-range ballistic missile. We don’t have a name for this missile yet; the “KN-17” designation has been used for both this system and for a Scud-derived short-range ballistic missile with a maneuvering reentry vehicle displayed in the same parade. But whatever the name, it would be expected to have about the same performance as the missile just launched.
While the April 15 parade may be the first time this missile was seen, and yesterday’s test may be its first successful flight, there have been earlier indications that such a missile was under development. In January this year, intelligence sources reported that North Korea had deployed two prototype ICBMs at a test site, just under 15 meters long. All of North Korea’s ICBM prototypes and mock-ups are well over that size, which left us puzzled. But this new missile comes in at just under 15 meters, and while its performance doesn’t quite reach ICBM standards it clearly shares a common heritage with the KN-08 ICBM. Quite likely this was the missile that was reported in January.
It may have been tested on other occasions. Two failed missile tests from Kusong in October were presumed to be Musudans, but there was no solid evidence to confirm that – and the Musudan had recently been tested successfully, so it would be somewhat surprising for it to fail twice in a row. It wouldn’t be at all surprising for a new missile to fail twice, and if the missile were launched from a Musudan TEL, it might well be mistaken for a Musudan. Another failed test, on April 16, was initially ascribed to a new maneuvering reentry vehicle system, but may have been this missile instead – both were initially displayed in the parade the previous day, and a successful test of either one would neatly highlight the propaganda event.
While this missile appears to share a common heritage with the KN-08 ICBM, it isn’t simply a KN-08 with the third stage removed. The first two stages also appear to be reduced in scale. Unfortunately, we have little detail about the missile’s design. We do not, for example, know if it uses the same twin-engine propulsion system as the first stage of the KN-08. But the more important question is, what is the new missile for?
One possibility is that it is meant to replace the Musudan IRBM which. represents an attempt to stretch a Cold War vintage Russian missile to reach the US base at Guam, some 3500 km from North Korean launch sites. But the Musudan has proven unreliable in testing, with only one success in at least six attempts, and its performance is marginal for reaching Guam. The Musudan may have been the best North Korea could manage ten years ago, but that level of performance really calls for a two-stage missile. Now, it appears that they have one. But existing North Korean missiles are already capable of reaching targets anywhere in South Korea or Japan, and extending that reach to perhaps 4500 kilometers won’t greatly change the strategic balance – aside from Guam, there aren’t really any interesting targets in that range..
What would change the strategic balance is an ICBM capable of reaching the US mainland. This is not that missile but it might be a testbed, demonstrating technologies and systems to be used in future ICBMs like the KN-08 and KN-14. A full three-stage KN-08 would be very unlikely to work the first time it was tested, and the failure would be both expensive and very provocative. This missile would allow North Korea to conduct at least some of the testing necessary to develop an operational ICBM, without actually launching ICBMs, particularly if it includes the same rocket engines.
If North Korea has already conducted a successful test using the engines and other components of the first two stages of the KN-08, it may be closer to an operational ICBM than had been previously estimated. US cities will not be at risk tomorrow, or any time this year. since some tests have to be done with the full-scale system. With only one test of this reduced-scale system Pyongyang is probably some time from even beginning that process. But given this test and the possible North Korean path forward, a closer look will be needed to see how much progress has been made, and what technologies the North may have demonstrated, as will a reassessment of their ICBM program in that new light.
(fair use applies)
North Korea’s Latest Missile Test: Advancing towards an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) While Avoiding US Military Action
By John Schilling
14 May 2017
North Korea’s latest successful missile test represents a level of performance never before seen from a North Korean missile. The missile would have flown a distant of some 45oo kilometers if launched on a maximum trajectory. It appears to have not only demonstrated an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that might enable them to reliably strike the US base at Guam, but more importantly, may represent a substantial advance to developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Given speculation over the past months about the possibility of military action by the Trump administration to prevent Pyongyang from acquiring such a weapons, the possible testing of ICBM subsystems in this low-key manner may be a North Korean hedge against the possibility of such action.
We are still awaiting more details on this test, and if the North Koreans follow their usual practice we can expect photographs soon. But unless Pyongyang is hiding something completely new, there’s only one real candidate for this missile. During last month’s parade, one genuinely new missile was revealed – one that looks very much like a small, two-stage version of their three-stage KN-08 ICBM prototype, on displayed on a mobile launcher previously used for the “Musudan” intermediate-range ballistic missile. We don’t have a name for this missile yet; the “KN-17” designation has been used for both this system and for a Scud-derived short-range ballistic missile with a maneuvering reentry vehicle displayed in the same parade. But whatever the name, it would be expected to have about the same performance as the missile just launched.
While the April 15 parade may be the first time this missile was seen, and yesterday’s test may be its first successful flight, there have been earlier indications that such a missile was under development. In January this year, intelligence sources reported that North Korea had deployed two prototype ICBMs at a test site, just under 15 meters long. All of North Korea’s ICBM prototypes and mock-ups are well over that size, which left us puzzled. But this new missile comes in at just under 15 meters, and while its performance doesn’t quite reach ICBM standards it clearly shares a common heritage with the KN-08 ICBM. Quite likely this was the missile that was reported in January.
It may have been tested on other occasions. Two failed missile tests from Kusong in October were presumed to be Musudans, but there was no solid evidence to confirm that – and the Musudan had recently been tested successfully, so it would be somewhat surprising for it to fail twice in a row. It wouldn’t be at all surprising for a new missile to fail twice, and if the missile were launched from a Musudan TEL, it might well be mistaken for a Musudan. Another failed test, on April 16, was initially ascribed to a new maneuvering reentry vehicle system, but may have been this missile instead – both were initially displayed in the parade the previous day, and a successful test of either one would neatly highlight the propaganda event.
While this missile appears to share a common heritage with the KN-08 ICBM, it isn’t simply a KN-08 with the third stage removed. The first two stages also appear to be reduced in scale. Unfortunately, we have little detail about the missile’s design. We do not, for example, know if it uses the same twin-engine propulsion system as the first stage of the KN-08. But the more important question is, what is the new missile for?
One possibility is that it is meant to replace the Musudan IRBM which. represents an attempt to stretch a Cold War vintage Russian missile to reach the US base at Guam, some 3500 km from North Korean launch sites. But the Musudan has proven unreliable in testing, with only one success in at least six attempts, and its performance is marginal for reaching Guam. The Musudan may have been the best North Korea could manage ten years ago, but that level of performance really calls for a two-stage missile. Now, it appears that they have one. But existing North Korean missiles are already capable of reaching targets anywhere in South Korea or Japan, and extending that reach to perhaps 4500 kilometers won’t greatly change the strategic balance – aside from Guam, there aren’t really any interesting targets in that range..
What would change the strategic balance is an ICBM capable of reaching the US mainland. This is not that missile but it might be a testbed, demonstrating technologies and systems to be used in future ICBMs like the KN-08 and KN-14. A full three-stage KN-08 would be very unlikely to work the first time it was tested, and the failure would be both expensive and very provocative. This missile would allow North Korea to conduct at least some of the testing necessary to develop an operational ICBM, without actually launching ICBMs, particularly if it includes the same rocket engines.
If North Korea has already conducted a successful test using the engines and other components of the first two stages of the KN-08, it may be closer to an operational ICBM than had been previously estimated. US cities will not be at risk tomorrow, or any time this year. since some tests have to be done with the full-scale system. With only one test of this reduced-scale system Pyongyang is probably some time from even beginning that process. But given this test and the possible North Korean path forward, a closer look will be needed to see how much progress has been made, and what technologies the North may have demonstrated, as will a reassessment of their ICBM program in that new light.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Official report from NK via KCNA about the missile. This is the english language version.
https://kcnawatch.co/newstream/1494799422-840027123/kim-jong-un-guides-test-fire-of-new-rocket/
(fair use applies)
Kim Jong Un Guides Test-Fire of New Rocket
Date: 15/05/2017
Source: KCNA.kp (En)
Pyongyang, May 15 (KCNA) -- A test-fire of new ground-to-ground medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 was successfully carried out on Sunday by scientists and technicians in the field of rocket research, who are bravely advancing toward a new goal to be proud of in the world, true to the far-sighted idea of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, for building a nuclear power.
Kim Jong Un guided the test-fire on the spot.
Looking at Hwasong-12, he expressed his satisfaction over the possession of another "Juche weapon", a perfect weapon system congruous with the military strategic and tactical idea of the WPK and the demand of the present times.
The test-fire was conducted at the highest angle in consideration of the security of neighboring countries. The test-fire aimed at verifying the tactical and technological specifications of the newly-developed ballistic rocket capable of carrying a large-size heavy nuclear warhead.
According to the order of Kim Jong Un, the new rocket Hwasong-12 was launched at 04:58 on Sunday.
The rocket accurately hit the targeted open waters 787km away after flying to the maximum altitude of 2 111.5km along its planned flight orbit.
The test-fire proved to the full all the technical specifications of the rocket, which was newly designed in a Korean-style by defence scientists and technicians, like guidance and stabilization systems, structural system and pressurization, inspection and launching systems and reconfirmed the reliability of new rocket engine under the practical flight circumstances.
It also verified the homing feature of the warhead under the worst re-entry situation and accurate performance of detonation system.
Kim Jong Un hugged officials in the field of rocket research, saying that they worked hard to achieve a great thing. And he had a picture taken with officials, scientists and technicians who took part in the test-fire.
Highly appreciating again their devotion for manufacturing the Korean-style medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket, he gave a special thanks to them on behalf of himself.
He said with confidence that the successful test-fire of Hwasong-12, a demonstration of high-level defence science and technology of the DPRK, is of great and special significance for securing peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the region and is the greatest victory of the Korean people.
He declared that the DPRK is a nuclear power worthy of the name whether some one recognizes it or not. He stressed the DPRK will keep strict control over those engaging themselves in nuclear blackmail with its nuclear deterrence which has been unimaginably and rapidly developed.
The U.S. massively brought nuclear strategic assets to the vicinity of the Korean peninsula to threaten and blackmail the DPRK, but the coward American-style fanfaronade militarily browbeating only weak countries and nations which have no nukes can never work on the DPRK and is highly ridiculous, he said, stressing that if the U.S. dares opt for a military provocation against the DPRK, we are ready to counter it.
The most perfect weapon systems in the world will never become the eternal exclusive property of the U.S., he said, expressing the belief that the day when the DPRK uses the similar retaliatory means will come. He continued that on this occasion, the U.S. had better see clearly whether the ballistic rockets of the DPRK pose actual threat to it or not.
If the U.S. awkwardly attempts to provoke the DPRK, it will not escape from the biggest disaster in the history, he said, strongly warning the U.S. should not to disregard or misjudge the reality that its mainland and Pacific operation region are in the DPRK's sighting range for strike and that it has all powerful means for retaliatory strike.
He gave the scientists and technicians in the field of rocket research the order to continuously develop more precise and diversified nukes and nuclear striking means, not content with the successes, and make preparations for more tests till the U.S. and its vassal forces make a proper choice with reason.
~~~~~~
Here are links to two other publications reporting on this story. I prefer to go to the source, which is why I posted the KCNA version.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170515000043
NK says it successfully test-fires new ballistic missile
https://www.rt.com/news/388373-pyongyang-nuclear-capable-missile/
N. Korea claims latest missile test ‘successful & proves its capability to carry nuclear warheads’
https://kcnawatch.co/newstream/1494799422-840027123/kim-jong-un-guides-test-fire-of-new-rocket/
(fair use applies)
Kim Jong Un Guides Test-Fire of New Rocket
Date: 15/05/2017
Source: KCNA.kp (En)
Pyongyang, May 15 (KCNA) -- A test-fire of new ground-to-ground medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 was successfully carried out on Sunday by scientists and technicians in the field of rocket research, who are bravely advancing toward a new goal to be proud of in the world, true to the far-sighted idea of Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, for building a nuclear power.
Kim Jong Un guided the test-fire on the spot.
Looking at Hwasong-12, he expressed his satisfaction over the possession of another "Juche weapon", a perfect weapon system congruous with the military strategic and tactical idea of the WPK and the demand of the present times.
The test-fire was conducted at the highest angle in consideration of the security of neighboring countries. The test-fire aimed at verifying the tactical and technological specifications of the newly-developed ballistic rocket capable of carrying a large-size heavy nuclear warhead.
According to the order of Kim Jong Un, the new rocket Hwasong-12 was launched at 04:58 on Sunday.
The rocket accurately hit the targeted open waters 787km away after flying to the maximum altitude of 2 111.5km along its planned flight orbit.
The test-fire proved to the full all the technical specifications of the rocket, which was newly designed in a Korean-style by defence scientists and technicians, like guidance and stabilization systems, structural system and pressurization, inspection and launching systems and reconfirmed the reliability of new rocket engine under the practical flight circumstances.
It also verified the homing feature of the warhead under the worst re-entry situation and accurate performance of detonation system.
Kim Jong Un hugged officials in the field of rocket research, saying that they worked hard to achieve a great thing. And he had a picture taken with officials, scientists and technicians who took part in the test-fire.
Highly appreciating again their devotion for manufacturing the Korean-style medium long-range strategic ballistic rocket, he gave a special thanks to them on behalf of himself.
He said with confidence that the successful test-fire of Hwasong-12, a demonstration of high-level defence science and technology of the DPRK, is of great and special significance for securing peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the region and is the greatest victory of the Korean people.
He declared that the DPRK is a nuclear power worthy of the name whether some one recognizes it or not. He stressed the DPRK will keep strict control over those engaging themselves in nuclear blackmail with its nuclear deterrence which has been unimaginably and rapidly developed.
The U.S. massively brought nuclear strategic assets to the vicinity of the Korean peninsula to threaten and blackmail the DPRK, but the coward American-style fanfaronade militarily browbeating only weak countries and nations which have no nukes can never work on the DPRK and is highly ridiculous, he said, stressing that if the U.S. dares opt for a military provocation against the DPRK, we are ready to counter it.
The most perfect weapon systems in the world will never become the eternal exclusive property of the U.S., he said, expressing the belief that the day when the DPRK uses the similar retaliatory means will come. He continued that on this occasion, the U.S. had better see clearly whether the ballistic rockets of the DPRK pose actual threat to it or not.
If the U.S. awkwardly attempts to provoke the DPRK, it will not escape from the biggest disaster in the history, he said, strongly warning the U.S. should not to disregard or misjudge the reality that its mainland and Pacific operation region are in the DPRK's sighting range for strike and that it has all powerful means for retaliatory strike.
He gave the scientists and technicians in the field of rocket research the order to continuously develop more precise and diversified nukes and nuclear striking means, not content with the successes, and make preparations for more tests till the U.S. and its vassal forces make a proper choice with reason.
~~~~~~
Here are links to two other publications reporting on this story. I prefer to go to the source, which is why I posted the KCNA version.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170515000043
NK says it successfully test-fires new ballistic missile
https://www.rt.com/news/388373-pyongyang-nuclear-capable-missile/
N. Korea claims latest missile test ‘successful & proves its capability to carry nuclear warheads’
nadhob
Veteran Member
I think part of the reason to launch this missile was to showcase it for our Iranian friends, you know the ones that Obama gave $150 billion to go weapons shopping with.... I think the Saudis should be getting a little nervous about now. Didn't their King say it might be time to bring the fight to Iran's doorstep last week? He might want to rethink that strategy unless of course he already signed up for a delivery...
Ben Sunday
Deceased
If the West continues to sit on its hands and wait, one fine day we will see a nuke missile delivered to OUR doorstep.
Yeah... Recall that the Saudis have already bought DF-21s from Beijing direct years ago...
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
I'm not sure we should assume that they were unreliable or inaccurate. We don't know what he was testing. He may have gotten all the information he needed from that test thereby making it successful for that purpose.
~~~~
NK media has released pictures of the missile launch and other celebratory pictures. I can find small versions on twitter but can't get onto the NK papers to view them there. I did find a youtube which made a compilation of them; you can make the page full screen in HD if you want to see them more clearly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Kgcyve-FM
Remember, testing an EMP delivery vehicle is NOT the same as being ready for nuke delivery, back down, through the atmosphere, as in airburst, or ground detonation. The Malignant Dwarf's had plenty of "failures," that would have been adequate testing for EMP warhead placement... This latest had an altitude of 1,200 miles, with down range of 400 miles. From the standpoint of a nuke-in-a-bucket, that's certainly doable... Reduce altitude to 300 miles, and down range goes to at least equal to midway across the US, if from a nuke-in-a-bucket...
Hmmmmmmmmm... Something to definitely ponder...
OA
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
I took a screengrab of the image in the video where Kim is shown next to a monitor with the map of the missile's trajectory. I then took a satellite map from google and put a star where the missile landed. It landed closer to Russia than to Japan, so Pres Trump was correct. It wasn't too far from Vladivostok, but the largest cities closest to it according to google maps would be Kozmino and Preobrazheniye.
I will give the NK credit here. They had a narrow stretch to land the missile without entering the territorial waters of either Japan or Russia and they did it. They flew high enough to make up the distance and then landed out in international waters. If this was the USA testing a missile, no one would have any problems applauding the precision. Of course, no media outlet will applaud Kim or his missile program (rightfully so..). I'm just pointing out how impressive (unfortunately) this missile launch really was.
HD
I will give the NK credit here. They had a narrow stretch to land the missile without entering the territorial waters of either Japan or Russia and they did it. They flew high enough to make up the distance and then landed out in international waters. If this was the USA testing a missile, no one would have any problems applauding the precision. Of course, no media outlet will applaud Kim or his missile program (rightfully so..). I'm just pointing out how impressive (unfortunately) this missile launch really was.
HD
Attachments
Good enough reason to increase surveillance on all vessels within 300 nautical miles of the US... Anything with an open cargo hatch, sink it. I don't know how many anti-missile capable ships and THAAD units we have, that could cover the East, West, and Gulf coasts, but I'll bet we don't have enough. All it'd take, would be one... So, sink on sight, should be the order. Until we get our shit together, we're in grave danger... I don't believe we have enough time, or resources, for defending the US, in almost any category... Hope the presidents from Reagan on, burn in Hell, for what they've allowed to happen...
OldARcher
OldARcher
Well when the NY Times has this kind of a headline without a firm rebuttal in said same you know the old narrative of "they can't do that still" is dead and stuff just got ratcheted up...
For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...warhead/ar-BBB8rcF?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
North Korea Says Missile It Tested Can Carry Nuclear Warhead
The New York Times
By CHOE SANG-HUN
8 hrs ago
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said on Monday that the missile it launched a day earlier was a new ballistic missile that can carry a large, heavy nuclear warhead, warning that the United States’ military bases in the Pacific were within its range.
North Korea launched what American officials called an intermediate-range ballistic missile on Sunday from the northwestern town of Kusong. The missile, believed to have a longer range than any other North Korean missile tested so far, landed in the sea between the North and Japan, sparking angry comments from President Trump, as well as from President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said on Monday that the new ground-to-ground missile, Hwasong-12, hit the targeted open water 489 miles away after soaring to an altitude of 1,312 miles. The missile was launched at a deliberately high angle so it would not fall too close to a neighboring country, the news agency said.
The flight data announced by the North roughly matched that released by Japanese and South Korean officials hours after the launch.
David Wright, a director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, wrote in a blog post that if the same missile was flown on a standard trajectory, it would have a maximum range of 2,800 miles.
That would qualify the projectile as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which could fly far enough to target key American military bases in the Pacific, including those in Guam. The North on Monday used the unfamiliar term “medium-long range” to describe the missile.
The missile test was conducted to verify “the tactical and technological specifications of the newly developed ballistic rocket capable of carrying a large-size, heavy nuclear warhead,” the state news agency said, adding that the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, watched the launch.
“He declared that the D.P.R.K. is a nuclear power worthy of the name whether someone recognizes it or not,” said the agency, using the acronym of the North’s official name, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
If the United States provokes North Korea, Mr. Kim said, it will not escape “the biggest disaster in history” because “its mainland and Pacific operation region are in the D.P.R.K.’s sighting range for strike,” according to the news agency.
“The coward American-style fanfaronade militarily browbeating only weak countries and nations which have no nukes can never work on the D.P.R.K., and is highly ridiculous,” Mr. Kim said, without naming Mr. Trump. “If the U.S. dares opt for a military provocation against the D.P.R.K., we are ready to counter it.”
Although North Korea has vowed to develop the ability to attack the United States with nuclear warheads and has tested missiles that can reach throughout the Korean Peninsula and its vicinity, it has never tested a long-range missile that could fly across the Pacific. Missile experts say North Korea may still be years away from mastering the technologies needed to build a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, although Mr. Kim warned in his New Year’s Day speech that his country had reached a “final stage” in preparing to conduct its first ICBM test.
The new missile “may represent a substantial advance to developing” an ICBM, said John Schilling, a missile expert, in an analysis posted on 38 North, a United States-based website that specializes in North Korea.
“This missile would allow North Korea to conduct at least some of the testing necessary to develop an operational ICBM, without actually launching ICBMs, particularly if it includes the same rocket engines,” Mr. Schilling said.
Under a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions, the country is banned from developing or testing ballistic missiles.
The North’s launch took place as its biggest supporter, China, was hosting delegations from around the world at its “One Belt One Road” forum in Beijing. It also came only days after Mr. Moon, the South Korean leader, took office with a call for dialogue with the North.
Analysts say North Korea has often raised tensions to test new leaders in Washington or in Seoul or to increase its leverage when its foes propose negotiations.
For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...warhead/ar-BBB8rcF?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
North Korea Says Missile It Tested Can Carry Nuclear Warhead
The New York Times
By CHOE SANG-HUN
8 hrs ago
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said on Monday that the missile it launched a day earlier was a new ballistic missile that can carry a large, heavy nuclear warhead, warning that the United States’ military bases in the Pacific were within its range.
North Korea launched what American officials called an intermediate-range ballistic missile on Sunday from the northwestern town of Kusong. The missile, believed to have a longer range than any other North Korean missile tested so far, landed in the sea between the North and Japan, sparking angry comments from President Trump, as well as from President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said on Monday that the new ground-to-ground missile, Hwasong-12, hit the targeted open water 489 miles away after soaring to an altitude of 1,312 miles. The missile was launched at a deliberately high angle so it would not fall too close to a neighboring country, the news agency said.
The flight data announced by the North roughly matched that released by Japanese and South Korean officials hours after the launch.
David Wright, a director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, wrote in a blog post that if the same missile was flown on a standard trajectory, it would have a maximum range of 2,800 miles.
That would qualify the projectile as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which could fly far enough to target key American military bases in the Pacific, including those in Guam. The North on Monday used the unfamiliar term “medium-long range” to describe the missile.
The missile test was conducted to verify “the tactical and technological specifications of the newly developed ballistic rocket capable of carrying a large-size, heavy nuclear warhead,” the state news agency said, adding that the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, watched the launch.
“He declared that the D.P.R.K. is a nuclear power worthy of the name whether someone recognizes it or not,” said the agency, using the acronym of the North’s official name, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
If the United States provokes North Korea, Mr. Kim said, it will not escape “the biggest disaster in history” because “its mainland and Pacific operation region are in the D.P.R.K.’s sighting range for strike,” according to the news agency.
“The coward American-style fanfaronade militarily browbeating only weak countries and nations which have no nukes can never work on the D.P.R.K., and is highly ridiculous,” Mr. Kim said, without naming Mr. Trump. “If the U.S. dares opt for a military provocation against the D.P.R.K., we are ready to counter it.”
Although North Korea has vowed to develop the ability to attack the United States with nuclear warheads and has tested missiles that can reach throughout the Korean Peninsula and its vicinity, it has never tested a long-range missile that could fly across the Pacific. Missile experts say North Korea may still be years away from mastering the technologies needed to build a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, although Mr. Kim warned in his New Year’s Day speech that his country had reached a “final stage” in preparing to conduct its first ICBM test.
The new missile “may represent a substantial advance to developing” an ICBM, said John Schilling, a missile expert, in an analysis posted on 38 North, a United States-based website that specializes in North Korea.
“This missile would allow North Korea to conduct at least some of the testing necessary to develop an operational ICBM, without actually launching ICBMs, particularly if it includes the same rocket engines,” Mr. Schilling said.
Under a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions, the country is banned from developing or testing ballistic missiles.
The North’s launch took place as its biggest supporter, China, was hosting delegations from around the world at its “One Belt One Road” forum in Beijing. It also came only days after Mr. Moon, the South Korean leader, took office with a call for dialogue with the North.
Analysts say North Korea has often raised tensions to test new leaders in Washington or in Seoul or to increase its leverage when its foes propose negotiations.
https://twitter.com/DaveSchmerler?ref_src=twsrc^tfw&ref_url=http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/
Kim Jong Un Guides Test-Fire of New Rocket Hwasong-12
Choson TV Á¶¼±
https://youtu.be/n0vhO8k3QjE
12 minutes, 49 seconds....
Just the missile test....
DPRK New Ballistic Rocket Hwasong-12 Test-Fire
Choson TV Á¶¼±
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep2ub8tzuX8
1 minute, 8 seconds...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_1Evp4UQAEiEJ_.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_1FA-EUQAEx4w9.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_1GGGSWAAAy_IB.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_01VsiU0AEtNjH.jpg
Kim Jong Un Guides Test-Fire of New Rocket Hwasong-12
Choson TV Á¶¼±
https://youtu.be/n0vhO8k3QjE
12 minutes, 49 seconds....
Just the missile test....
DPRK New Ballistic Rocket Hwasong-12 Test-Fire
Choson TV Á¶¼±
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep2ub8tzuX8
1 minute, 8 seconds...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_1Evp4UQAEiEJ_.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_1FA-EUQAEx4w9.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_1GGGSWAAAy_IB.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_01VsiU0AEtNjH.jpg
Last edited:
For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
https://www.nknews.org/2017/05/n-ko...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
N. Korea claims successful intermediate-range ballistic missile test launch
Hwasong-12 flew 787km at 2111.5km: KCNA
Oliver Hotham*
May 15th, 2017
Share
48
Comments
0
North Korea claimed to have successfully test launched an intermediate range ballistic missile – the Hwasong-12 – during the early hours of Sunday morning, an article released by state media said on Monday morning.
Confirmation of the test, which followed multiple government responses to initial news of Sunday’s test, came with technical details in the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) dispatch that said the launch was carried out at the “highest angle” and was aimed at assessing the “tactical and technological specifications” of the missile.
“The rocket accurately hit the targeted open waters 787km away after flying to the maximum altitude of 2 111.5km along its planned flight orbit,” the report said of the range and apogee of the test firing.
The test assessed the “guidance and stabilization systems, structural system and pressurization, inspection and launching systems”, the report added, as well as “the reliability of new rocket engine under the practical flight circumstances.”
DPRK state media is yet to release any imagery of the new missile.
One expert familiar with North Korea’s missile programs said the Hwasong-12 designation was new and that the test could represent a significant step forward for the country’s ballistic missile program.
“This press release looks like it is designed to show off (the new missiles’) precision,” said Scott Lafoy, a Washington D.C.-based analyst for NK Pro. “It gives very specific times, apogee, and range, implying that they can very accurately track and measure everything in their test range.”
“They specifically emphasize testing under “worst-case” conditions, which is meant to imply they have developed the reentry shields necessary for IRBM and long-range systems.”
Stressing that it is difficult to confirm without imagery, Dave Schmerler, a Research Associate, at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said the new designation of “Hwasong-12” meant it was difficult to tell precisely what has been tested.
“Well we know the Hwasong-13 is the KN-08 from the parades so this isn’t the KN-08 or 14,” he said. “Unless they decided to scrap the naming convention like how they did with the serial numbers on the missiles we observed during this year’s parade.”
Another expert said the test had “very serious implications,” adding that the missile launched was likely a multiple stage, liquid propelled, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) and was one of the newly-developed devices on display in last month’s military parade in Pyongyang.
“According to DPRK state media, the missile was launched to an ultra-high altitude of 2111 kilometers, and the distance of which the missile hit the sea was 787 km,” said Tal Inbar, head of the Space & UAV center at the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, Israel.
“The meaning of this is simple – North Korea has managed to test the missile to the maximum burn time of the engines – without overfly of Japan. The HS-10 test was conducted on the same manner on 2016.”
The missile has the potential to travel up to a range of at least 4500 km, when fired on “a more realistic, operational, shallow trajectory”, he added.
“It is a stepping stone in North Korean ambitions to acquire an ever longer range missile. An ICBM? No. but they are getting very close.”
North Korea fired a ballistic missile from Kusong City on Sunday at 05.27am (KST), in what is its first missile test since the inauguration of South Korean President Moon Jae-in last week and its seventh this year.
The test was widely condemned by the international community, with the White House calling North Korea “a flagrant menace” and saying the test be met with stronger sanctions.
One sanctions specialist said that he hoped the test would spur the United States and its allies to impose secondary sanctions on China.
“Pyongyang’s missile test demonstrated the ability to target Guam, and Washington should respond by sanctioning Chinese companies and banks that aid North Korea’s sanctions evasion,” Anthony Ruggiero, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), told NK News.
“Robust sanctions against North Korea’s international business and those that support them are the only way to reduce and eliminate Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.”
Featured image: Rodong Sinmun
Dagyum Ji and Chad O’Carroll contributed to this report
https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-15-01-26.jpg
https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/화성12_02-560x368.jpg
Posted for fair use.....
https://www.nknews.org/2017/05/n-ko...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
N. Korea claims successful intermediate-range ballistic missile test launch
Hwasong-12 flew 787km at 2111.5km: KCNA
Oliver Hotham*
May 15th, 2017
Share
48
Comments
0
North Korea claimed to have successfully test launched an intermediate range ballistic missile – the Hwasong-12 – during the early hours of Sunday morning, an article released by state media said on Monday morning.
Confirmation of the test, which followed multiple government responses to initial news of Sunday’s test, came with technical details in the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) dispatch that said the launch was carried out at the “highest angle” and was aimed at assessing the “tactical and technological specifications” of the missile.
“The rocket accurately hit the targeted open waters 787km away after flying to the maximum altitude of 2 111.5km along its planned flight orbit,” the report said of the range and apogee of the test firing.
The test assessed the “guidance and stabilization systems, structural system and pressurization, inspection and launching systems”, the report added, as well as “the reliability of new rocket engine under the practical flight circumstances.”
DPRK state media is yet to release any imagery of the new missile.
One expert familiar with North Korea’s missile programs said the Hwasong-12 designation was new and that the test could represent a significant step forward for the country’s ballistic missile program.
“This press release looks like it is designed to show off (the new missiles’) precision,” said Scott Lafoy, a Washington D.C.-based analyst for NK Pro. “It gives very specific times, apogee, and range, implying that they can very accurately track and measure everything in their test range.”
“They specifically emphasize testing under “worst-case” conditions, which is meant to imply they have developed the reentry shields necessary for IRBM and long-range systems.”
Stressing that it is difficult to confirm without imagery, Dave Schmerler, a Research Associate, at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said the new designation of “Hwasong-12” meant it was difficult to tell precisely what has been tested.
“Well we know the Hwasong-13 is the KN-08 from the parades so this isn’t the KN-08 or 14,” he said. “Unless they decided to scrap the naming convention like how they did with the serial numbers on the missiles we observed during this year’s parade.”
Another expert said the test had “very serious implications,” adding that the missile launched was likely a multiple stage, liquid propelled, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) and was one of the newly-developed devices on display in last month’s military parade in Pyongyang.
“According to DPRK state media, the missile was launched to an ultra-high altitude of 2111 kilometers, and the distance of which the missile hit the sea was 787 km,” said Tal Inbar, head of the Space & UAV center at the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, Israel.
“The meaning of this is simple – North Korea has managed to test the missile to the maximum burn time of the engines – without overfly of Japan. The HS-10 test was conducted on the same manner on 2016.”
The missile has the potential to travel up to a range of at least 4500 km, when fired on “a more realistic, operational, shallow trajectory”, he added.
“It is a stepping stone in North Korean ambitions to acquire an ever longer range missile. An ICBM? No. but they are getting very close.”
North Korea fired a ballistic missile from Kusong City on Sunday at 05.27am (KST), in what is its first missile test since the inauguration of South Korean President Moon Jae-in last week and its seventh this year.
The test was widely condemned by the international community, with the White House calling North Korea “a flagrant menace” and saying the test be met with stronger sanctions.
One sanctions specialist said that he hoped the test would spur the United States and its allies to impose secondary sanctions on China.
“Pyongyang’s missile test demonstrated the ability to target Guam, and Washington should respond by sanctioning Chinese companies and banks that aid North Korea’s sanctions evasion,” Anthony Ruggiero, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), told NK News.
“Robust sanctions against North Korea’s international business and those that support them are the only way to reduce and eliminate Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and missile programs.”
Featured image: Rodong Sinmun
Dagyum Ji and Chad O’Carroll contributed to this report
https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-05-15-01-26.jpg
https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/화성12_02-560x368.jpg
For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-idUSKCN18A12B
World News | Mon May 15, 2017 | 7:04am EDT
North Korea's latest missile launch suggests progress toward ICBM: experts
By Jack Kim and Ju-min Park | SEOUL
Video
North Korea's successful missile test-launch signals major advances in developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, such as mastery of re-entry technology and better engine performance key to targeting the United States, experts say.
The isolated country has been developing a long-range missile capable of striking the mainland United States mounted with a nuclear warhead. That would require a flight of 8,000 km (4,800 miles) or more and technology to ensure a warhead's stable re-entry into the atmosphere.
For graphic on North Korea missile launch click: tmsnrt.rs/2pNI8t6
For graphic on interactive nuclear North Korea click: tmsnrt.rs/2n0gd92
The new strategic ballistic missile named Hwasong-12, fired on Sunday at the highest angle to avoid affecting neighboring countries' security, flew 787 km (489 miles) on a trajectory reaching an altitude of 2,111.5 km (1,312 miles), the North's official KCNA said.
The reported details were largely consistent with South Korean and Japanese assessments that it flew further and higher than an intermediate-range missile (IRBM) tested in February from the same region, northwest of Pyongyang.
Such an altitude meant it was launched at a high trajectory, which would limit the lateral distance traveled. But if it was fired at a standard trajectory, it would have a range of at least 4,000 km (2,500 miles), experts said.
The test "represents a level of performance never before seen from a North Korean missile," John Schilling, an aerospace expert, said in an analysis on the U.S.-based 38 North website.
"It appears to have not only demonstrated an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that might enable them to reliably strike the U.S. base at Guam, but more importantly, may represent a substantial advance to developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)."
KCNA said the test launch verified the homing feature of the warhead that allowed it to survive "under the worst re-entry situation" and accurately detonate.
The claim, if true, could mark an advancement in the North's ICBM program exceeding most expectations, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute of Far Eastern Studies in Seoul.
Kim, a former South Korean navy officer, added the trajectory showed the North was clearly testing the re-entry technology under flight environments consistent for a ICBM.
The North has successfully launched long-range rockets twice to put objects into space. But many had believed it was some years away from mastering re-entry expertise for perfecting an ICBM, which uses similar engineering in early flight stages.
Sunday's missile launch also tested the North's capability to carry a "large-size heavy nuclear warhead", the state news agency said.
"The test-fire proved to the full all the technical specifications of the rocket ... like guidance and stabilization systems ... and reconfirmed the reliability of new rocket engine under the practical flight circumstances," KCNA said.
On Monday, South Korea's military played down the North's claim of technical progress on atmospheric re-entry, saying the possibility was low.
ADVANCED MISSILE
North Korea's official Rodong Sinmun devoted half of its six-page Monday edition to coverage of the missile test, with vivid color photographs of the launch and jubilant leader Kim celebrating with military officers.
The pictures featured a long nose-coned projectile that appeared to be similar to missiles displayed during an April 15 military parade for the birth anniversary of state founder Kim Il Sung.
The nose cone resembles that of the KN-08 ICBM the North is believed to be developing, and the lofted trajectory tests re-entry by putting the missile through extra stress, said Joshua Pollack of the U.S.-based Nonproliferation Review.
Related Coverage
Putin says world needs to talk to North Korea not threaten it
North Korea missile launch due to 'state of paranoia': U.N. envoy Haley
South Korea names special envoys to five countries
South Korea says North's claim of missile progress needs analysis
"This is an advanced missile, if their claims are true."
KCNA said Kim accused the United States of "browbeating" countries that "have no nukes", warning Washington not to misjudge the reality that its mainland is in the North's "sighting range for strike".
North Korea, which is banned by U.N. resolutions from engaging in nuclear and missile developments, has accused the United States of a hostile policy to crush its regime, calling its nuclear weapons a "sacred sword" to protect itself.
The North's leader, Kim, has said it was in final stages of developing an ICBM.
It is difficult to say when the North will have a reliably tested ICBM ready to deploy, said Lee Choon-geun, a senior research fellow at South Korea's state-run Science and Technology Policy Institute.
"When it comes to actual deployment, developed countries have tested at least 20 ICBMs and their success rate should be around 90 percent. It is not there yet."
But the new engine used for Sunday's test signaled a major step forward in the intermediate-range missile development, one that can be modified for an ICBM flight, Lee said.
The United States called the missile launch a message to South Korea, days after its new president took office pledging to engage Pyongyang in dialogue and keep up international pressure to impede the North's arms pursuit.
Two senior national security advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in's top foreign policy adviser, Chung Eui-yong, in Seoul on Tuesday, to discuss a summit of the leaders and the North's missile test, a source with direct knowledge of the meeting said.
(Additional reporting by James Pearson; Editing by Soyoung Kim and Clarence Fernandez)
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-idUSKCN18A12B
World News | Mon May 15, 2017 | 7:04am EDT
North Korea's latest missile launch suggests progress toward ICBM: experts
By Jack Kim and Ju-min Park | SEOUL
Video
North Korea's successful missile test-launch signals major advances in developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, such as mastery of re-entry technology and better engine performance key to targeting the United States, experts say.
The isolated country has been developing a long-range missile capable of striking the mainland United States mounted with a nuclear warhead. That would require a flight of 8,000 km (4,800 miles) or more and technology to ensure a warhead's stable re-entry into the atmosphere.
For graphic on North Korea missile launch click: tmsnrt.rs/2pNI8t6
For graphic on interactive nuclear North Korea click: tmsnrt.rs/2n0gd92
The new strategic ballistic missile named Hwasong-12, fired on Sunday at the highest angle to avoid affecting neighboring countries' security, flew 787 km (489 miles) on a trajectory reaching an altitude of 2,111.5 km (1,312 miles), the North's official KCNA said.
The reported details were largely consistent with South Korean and Japanese assessments that it flew further and higher than an intermediate-range missile (IRBM) tested in February from the same region, northwest of Pyongyang.
Such an altitude meant it was launched at a high trajectory, which would limit the lateral distance traveled. But if it was fired at a standard trajectory, it would have a range of at least 4,000 km (2,500 miles), experts said.
The test "represents a level of performance never before seen from a North Korean missile," John Schilling, an aerospace expert, said in an analysis on the U.S.-based 38 North website.
"It appears to have not only demonstrated an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that might enable them to reliably strike the U.S. base at Guam, but more importantly, may represent a substantial advance to developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)."
KCNA said the test launch verified the homing feature of the warhead that allowed it to survive "under the worst re-entry situation" and accurately detonate.
The claim, if true, could mark an advancement in the North's ICBM program exceeding most expectations, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute of Far Eastern Studies in Seoul.
Kim, a former South Korean navy officer, added the trajectory showed the North was clearly testing the re-entry technology under flight environments consistent for a ICBM.
The North has successfully launched long-range rockets twice to put objects into space. But many had believed it was some years away from mastering re-entry expertise for perfecting an ICBM, which uses similar engineering in early flight stages.
Sunday's missile launch also tested the North's capability to carry a "large-size heavy nuclear warhead", the state news agency said.
"The test-fire proved to the full all the technical specifications of the rocket ... like guidance and stabilization systems ... and reconfirmed the reliability of new rocket engine under the practical flight circumstances," KCNA said.
On Monday, South Korea's military played down the North's claim of technical progress on atmospheric re-entry, saying the possibility was low.
ADVANCED MISSILE
North Korea's official Rodong Sinmun devoted half of its six-page Monday edition to coverage of the missile test, with vivid color photographs of the launch and jubilant leader Kim celebrating with military officers.
The pictures featured a long nose-coned projectile that appeared to be similar to missiles displayed during an April 15 military parade for the birth anniversary of state founder Kim Il Sung.
The nose cone resembles that of the KN-08 ICBM the North is believed to be developing, and the lofted trajectory tests re-entry by putting the missile through extra stress, said Joshua Pollack of the U.S.-based Nonproliferation Review.
Related Coverage
Putin says world needs to talk to North Korea not threaten it
North Korea missile launch due to 'state of paranoia': U.N. envoy Haley
South Korea names special envoys to five countries
South Korea says North's claim of missile progress needs analysis
"This is an advanced missile, if their claims are true."
KCNA said Kim accused the United States of "browbeating" countries that "have no nukes", warning Washington not to misjudge the reality that its mainland is in the North's "sighting range for strike".
North Korea, which is banned by U.N. resolutions from engaging in nuclear and missile developments, has accused the United States of a hostile policy to crush its regime, calling its nuclear weapons a "sacred sword" to protect itself.
The North's leader, Kim, has said it was in final stages of developing an ICBM.
It is difficult to say when the North will have a reliably tested ICBM ready to deploy, said Lee Choon-geun, a senior research fellow at South Korea's state-run Science and Technology Policy Institute.
"When it comes to actual deployment, developed countries have tested at least 20 ICBMs and their success rate should be around 90 percent. It is not there yet."
But the new engine used for Sunday's test signaled a major step forward in the intermediate-range missile development, one that can be modified for an ICBM flight, Lee said.
The United States called the missile launch a message to South Korea, days after its new president took office pledging to engage Pyongyang in dialogue and keep up international pressure to impede the North's arms pursuit.
Two senior national security advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in's top foreign policy adviser, Chung Eui-yong, in Seoul on Tuesday, to discuss a summit of the leaders and the North's missile test, a source with direct knowledge of the meeting said.
(Additional reporting by James Pearson; Editing by Soyoung Kim and Clarence Fernandez)
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
All that and it's a mobile launch unit to boot.
Yeah that makes the truck it's on a throw-away, but you only need to use something like that once.
And THAT truly SHOULD cause planners et al to soil their small clothes.
IMO this launch draws back the curtain on the last however many "failures" and does a nice job of changing the game.
I REALLY hope the folks advising DJT are at least somewhat farsighted and clear for him....
Yeah that makes the truck it's on a throw-away, but you only need to use something like that once.
And THAT truly SHOULD cause planners et al to soil their small clothes.
IMO this launch draws back the curtain on the last however many "failures" and does a nice job of changing the game.
I REALLY hope the folks advising DJT are at least somewhat farsighted and clear for him....
Amen...
From last week's WoW thread....
COMMENTARY
Today's Defense Department Lacks Nuclear Weapons Expertise
ROBERT R. MONROE
5/08/2017
http://www.investors.com/politics/c...e-department-lacks-nuclear-weapons-expertise/
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/show...*WINDS****of****WAR****&p=6461738#post6461738
I'd also ask whether the DPRK has set up sites akin to the cave/tunnel roll out shelters the PRC uses for some of its DF-5s with just an erector and plumbing for the missile...
ETA: Or their mobile launchers or for that matter rail based.....
http://coffeespoons.me/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/tunnelCrop.png
Last edited:
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
We KNOW they have plenty of caves. And NOW they know the system works. Next week they will be modifying some caves... THAT part is most assuredly NOT Rocket Surgery.
I honestly hate hopping onto the "DO IT NOW!!!" train, but...it gets easier and easier day by day.
I honestly hate hopping onto the "DO IT NOW!!!" train, but...it gets easier and easier day by day.
Yeah...I feel you on both points.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39918652
(fair use applies)
What do we know about North Korea's new missile?
15 May 2017
North Korea has said that the rocket it fired early on Sunday, was a new ballistic missile called the Hwasong-12. Defence expert Melissa Hanham explains what it tells us about Pyongyang's military strides.
Sunday's missile launch was a successful one and it demonstrated North Korea's longest-range nuclear-capable weapon yet.
Accompanying photographs showed it to be the same missile on parade last month at a massive military parade to mark the birth anniversary of North Korea's founding father Kim Il-sung.
Current leader Kim Jong-un was on-site according to photos released from North Korean state media KCNA and Rodong Sinmun.
In the hours afterwards, the statistics of the launch perplexed some observers, even to the point of questioning the data.
With tensions high, US Pacific Command was careful to categorise the flight as "not consistent with an intercontinental ballistic missile", which is - in short - one which could reach the US mainland.
One step further
This "mystery" missile is now revealed to be a powerful intermediate range missile, which North Korea claims can deliver a large and heavy nuclear warhead.
This vague statement leaves the door open to a range of possibilities, including that North Korea has not been able to make a compact warhead, or even that a new warhead will be revealed in the future.
North Korean state media said the missile had been launched over the country and into the sea east of the Korean Peninsula 787km (489 miles) away from its launch site near Kusong. It reached an altitude of 2,111.1km according to KCNA.
These figures fit approximately with statements made by both American and Japanese officials monitoring the situation.
While unusual, this sharp trajectory with an extremely high altitude allowed North Korean scientists to test the range of the missile without directly flying over any neighbouring countries.
The altitude would also allow the North to test the atmospheric re-entry vehicle under the extreme heat, pressure and vibration. The KCNA noted both facts in its public statement on Monday.
This "lofted" trajectory would be equivalent to over 4,500km if launched at a standard trajectory, putting US bases in Guam well in range.
It is indeed the longest-range missile North Korea has ever tested (aside from its space launch vehicles).
Deeply disturbing
Photographs indicate the Hwasong-12 to be a single stage, liquid-fuelled rocket, which would be unusually inefficient at this range due to the weight of the frame, fuel and oxidisers.
One possibility is that the body of the rocket is intended to be one part of a larger multi-staged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching well into the US mainland.
In this way, North Korea can make iterative progress towards an ICBM without immediately crossing Trump's red line.
The missile launch, occurring just days after the new South Korean President Moon Jae-in took office, is deeply disturbing to many observers.
Missile testing under Kim Jong-un increased dramatically compared with his father and grandfather's programmes.
This test marks the 10th test of 2017, and this particular missile shows a greater range than any other tested in its military programme.
South Korea's new president has espoused dialogue with North Korea, and is now forced to take a tougher line just days into his administration.
So once again North Korea, with its rapidly advancing missile technology and the decline in relations with its neighbours, including China, has left diplomats scratching their heads.
Melissa Hanham is a Senior Research Associate in the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, USA.
(fair use applies)
What do we know about North Korea's new missile?
15 May 2017
North Korea has said that the rocket it fired early on Sunday, was a new ballistic missile called the Hwasong-12. Defence expert Melissa Hanham explains what it tells us about Pyongyang's military strides.
Sunday's missile launch was a successful one and it demonstrated North Korea's longest-range nuclear-capable weapon yet.
Accompanying photographs showed it to be the same missile on parade last month at a massive military parade to mark the birth anniversary of North Korea's founding father Kim Il-sung.
Current leader Kim Jong-un was on-site according to photos released from North Korean state media KCNA and Rodong Sinmun.
In the hours afterwards, the statistics of the launch perplexed some observers, even to the point of questioning the data.
With tensions high, US Pacific Command was careful to categorise the flight as "not consistent with an intercontinental ballistic missile", which is - in short - one which could reach the US mainland.
One step further
This "mystery" missile is now revealed to be a powerful intermediate range missile, which North Korea claims can deliver a large and heavy nuclear warhead.
This vague statement leaves the door open to a range of possibilities, including that North Korea has not been able to make a compact warhead, or even that a new warhead will be revealed in the future.
North Korean state media said the missile had been launched over the country and into the sea east of the Korean Peninsula 787km (489 miles) away from its launch site near Kusong. It reached an altitude of 2,111.1km according to KCNA.
These figures fit approximately with statements made by both American and Japanese officials monitoring the situation.
While unusual, this sharp trajectory with an extremely high altitude allowed North Korean scientists to test the range of the missile without directly flying over any neighbouring countries.
The altitude would also allow the North to test the atmospheric re-entry vehicle under the extreme heat, pressure and vibration. The KCNA noted both facts in its public statement on Monday.
This "lofted" trajectory would be equivalent to over 4,500km if launched at a standard trajectory, putting US bases in Guam well in range.
It is indeed the longest-range missile North Korea has ever tested (aside from its space launch vehicles).
Deeply disturbing
Photographs indicate the Hwasong-12 to be a single stage, liquid-fuelled rocket, which would be unusually inefficient at this range due to the weight of the frame, fuel and oxidisers.
One possibility is that the body of the rocket is intended to be one part of a larger multi-staged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching well into the US mainland.
In this way, North Korea can make iterative progress towards an ICBM without immediately crossing Trump's red line.
The missile launch, occurring just days after the new South Korean President Moon Jae-in took office, is deeply disturbing to many observers.
Missile testing under Kim Jong-un increased dramatically compared with his father and grandfather's programmes.
This test marks the 10th test of 2017, and this particular missile shows a greater range than any other tested in its military programme.
South Korea's new president has espoused dialogue with North Korea, and is now forced to take a tougher line just days into his administration.
So once again North Korea, with its rapidly advancing missile technology and the decline in relations with its neighbours, including China, has left diplomats scratching their heads.
Melissa Hanham is a Senior Research Associate in the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, USA.
Ordinary Girl
Veteran Member
Can we just get rid of him?? How long are we going to give this maniac to come up with a missile that can reach us, or to develop a war to attach his nukes to what he has, or to put his crap successfully in a container to hit us? This has to end. HE has to be ended.
That was as much of a rant as I can manage.
pinkelsteinsmom
Veteran Member
Talk now is wannacry ransomewhere attack came from N.K.
energy_wave
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I said days ago that I suspected North Korea was behind that cyber attack.
That dictator is costing the world a lot of money while threatening to use nukes against the USA, South Korea, Japan, Australia and even Israel, all while defying the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
Imo, we are in the ten day count down as the darkest night of the month approaches.
twincougars
Deceased
https://kcnawatch.co/newstream/1494691360-930936893/advertisement-of-evacuation-plan-what-for/
The US is widely advertising that it will wage the “Courageous Channel 2017” drill for evacuating American civilians including the families of US troops in south Korea in coming June in simulation of emergency.
The US troops in south Korea have conducted such an evacuation exercise twice a year in spring and autumn since 1996 in the guise of “non-combatant evacuation operation”, pursuant to the “plan for the evacuation of civilians” which was mapped out by the Department of Defense in 1994.
This time, however, the Trump administration made public the plan two months earlier than usual, giving wide publicity in media.
Such a revelation holds an ill intention to show at home and abroad that it can actually start a war against the DPRK and maximize pressure on the country.
Shortly ago, it staged Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises on the largest scale, revealing its undisguised attempt to mount preemptive nuclear strike on the DPRK, and committed surgical strike and special warfare drills in a bid to deal a preemptive precision attack to the DPRK’s supreme leadership and major strategic bases, according to “OPLAN 5015”, “4D OPLAN” and “tailored deterrence strategy”.
It is foolish enough for the US to think that the plan can frighten the DPRK.
The right to preemptive strike is no longer the monopoly of the US.
In case the DPRK launches a preemptive strike of its own style, the aggression bases of the US and the strongholds of evils will be completely reduced to ashes, leaving no one to sign the surrender documents.
The US had better think of its mainland, rather than worrying about the security of Americans in south Korea.
By Kim Rye Yong PT
The US is widely advertising that it will wage the “Courageous Channel 2017” drill for evacuating American civilians including the families of US troops in south Korea in coming June in simulation of emergency.
The US troops in south Korea have conducted such an evacuation exercise twice a year in spring and autumn since 1996 in the guise of “non-combatant evacuation operation”, pursuant to the “plan for the evacuation of civilians” which was mapped out by the Department of Defense in 1994.
This time, however, the Trump administration made public the plan two months earlier than usual, giving wide publicity in media.
Such a revelation holds an ill intention to show at home and abroad that it can actually start a war against the DPRK and maximize pressure on the country.
Shortly ago, it staged Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises on the largest scale, revealing its undisguised attempt to mount preemptive nuclear strike on the DPRK, and committed surgical strike and special warfare drills in a bid to deal a preemptive precision attack to the DPRK’s supreme leadership and major strategic bases, according to “OPLAN 5015”, “4D OPLAN” and “tailored deterrence strategy”.
It is foolish enough for the US to think that the plan can frighten the DPRK.
The right to preemptive strike is no longer the monopoly of the US.
In case the DPRK launches a preemptive strike of its own style, the aggression bases of the US and the strongholds of evils will be completely reduced to ashes, leaving no one to sign the surrender documents.
The US had better think of its mainland, rather than worrying about the security of Americans in south Korea.
By Kim Rye Yong PT
China Connection
TB Fanatic
Just keep in mind that both Russia and China have backed North Korea before and since the second world war. They are not about to change under U.S.pressure.
All true, and both Russia and the PRC are "frienemies" in Great Game 3.0. That the DPRK is willing to be a tool in this for their regime's percieved interests shouldn't be a shocking occurrence.
David Nettleton
Veteran Member
Thank you China Connection. Also, they do not want a powerful foreign military like us camped on their door step.
Yet their very actions are going to make the regional powers as lethal as they are, in other words nuclear powers.
For links see article source.....
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-usa-idUSKCN18B1V4
WORLD NEWS | Tue May 16, 2017 | 3:58am EDT
North Korea missile program progressing faster than expected, says South
By Christine Kim | SEOUL
Video
North Korea's missile program is progressing faster than expected, South Korea's defense minister said on Tuesday, hours after the UN Security Council demanded the North halt all nuclear and ballistic missile tests and condemned Sunday's test-launch.
The reclusive North, which has defied all calls to rein in its weapons programs, even from its lone major ally, China, has been working on a missile, mounted with a nuclear warhead, capable of striking the U.S. mainland.
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has called for an immediate halt to Pyongyang's provocations and has warned that the "era of strategic patience" with North Korea is over. U.S. Disarmament Ambassador Robert Wood said on Tuesday China's leverage was key and that it could do more.
South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo told parliament Sunday's test-launch was "successful in flight".
"It is considered an IRBM (intermediate range ballistic missile) of enhanced caliber compared to Musudan missiles that have continually failed," he said, referring to a class of missile designed to travel up to 3,000 to 4,000 km (1,860 to 2,485 miles).
Asked if North Korea's missile program was developing faster than the South had expected, he said: "Yes."
The North's KCNA news agency said Sunday's launch tested its capability to carry a "large-size heavy nuclear warhead". Its ambassador to China said in Beijing on Monday it would continue such test launches "any time, any place".
The missile flew 787 km (489 miles) on a trajectory reaching an altitude of 2,111.5 km (1,312 miles), KCNA said.
Pyongyang has regularly threatened to destroy the United States, which it accuses of pushing the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war by conducting recent military drills with South Korea and Japan.
Trump and new South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet in Washington next month, with North Korea expected to be high on the agenda, the South's presidential Blue House said.
Moon met Matt Pottinger, overseeing Asian affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, on Tuesday and said he hoped to continue to have "sufficient, close discussions" between Seoul and Washington, the Blue House press secretary said at a briefing.
"FURTHER SANCTIONS POSSIBLE"
In a unanimously agreed statement, the 15-member UN Security Council said it was of vital importance that North Korea show "sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action and stressed the importance of working to reduce tensions".
"To that end, the Security Council demanded the Democratic People's Republic of Korea conduct no further nuclear and ballistic missile tests," the council said, adding that it was ready to impose further sanctions on the country.
The statement also condemned an April 28 ballistic missile launch by Pyongyang.
Following that launch, Washington began talks with China on possible new U.N. sanctions. Traditionally, the United States and China have negotiated new measures before involving remaining council members.
The United States sees China as key, U.S. Disarmament Ambassador Wood told reporters on a conference call.
"I'm not going to talk about various policy options that we may or may not consider, but I will say this: we are certainly engaged right now in looking at a number of measures - political, economic, security - to deal with these provocative acts by the DPRK, and dangerous acts in many cases," he said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"So we are going to be raising the level of engagement with China on this issue. China really is the key in dealing with the North Korea issue. Ninety percent of the DPRK's trade is with China, so clearly there is a lot more leverage that China has, and we would like China to use."
The Security Council first imposed sanctions on North Korea in 2006 and has strengthened the measures in response to its five nuclear tests and two long-range rocket launches. Pyongyang is threatening a sixth nuclear test.
Trump warned in an interview with Reuters this month that a "major, major conflict" with North Korea was possible. In a show of force, the United States sent an aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, to waters off the Korean peninsula to conduct drills with South Korea and Japan.
RELATED COVERAGE
U.S. Admiral Harris: North Korea action underscores importance of U.S.-Japan-South Korea cooperation
U.S. ambassador says Chinese leverage is key to North Korea
Admiral Harry Harris, the top U.S. commander in the Asia-Pacific, said on Tuesday continued missile launches by North Korea showed the importance of the alliance between Japan and the United States.
"The actions of North Korea are unacceptable," Harris said at the start of a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. "It underscores not only the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance, but also U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral cooperation."
Harris is to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Defense Minister Tomomi Inada later in the day.
The U.S. Seventh Fleet carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, left Yokosuka in Japan on Tuesday on its regular spring patrol and will be out for around three to four months, according to a Seventh Fleet spokesman.
The spokesman declined to say where it was bound and added he was not aware how long the Carl Vinson would remain in the region.
Apart from worries about North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programs, cyber security researchers have found technical evidence they said could link North Korea with the global WannaCry "ransomware" cyber attack that has infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries since Friday.
Symantec and Kaspersky Lab said on Monday some code in an earlier version of the WannaCry software had also appeared in programs used by the Lazarus Group, which researchers from many companies have identified as a North Korea-run hacking operation.
(For a graphic on North Korea missile launch, click tmsnrt.rs/2pNI8t6)
(For a graphic on nuclear North Korea, click tmsnrt.rs/2n0gd92)
(Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the UNITED NATIONS, Kiyoshi Takenaka in TOKYO, Tom Miles in GENEVA and Ju-min Park in SEOUL; Writing by Nick Macfie; Editing by Paul Tait)
Posted for fair use.....
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-usa-idUSKCN18B1V4
WORLD NEWS | Tue May 16, 2017 | 3:58am EDT
North Korea missile program progressing faster than expected, says South
By Christine Kim | SEOUL
Video
North Korea's missile program is progressing faster than expected, South Korea's defense minister said on Tuesday, hours after the UN Security Council demanded the North halt all nuclear and ballistic missile tests and condemned Sunday's test-launch.
The reclusive North, which has defied all calls to rein in its weapons programs, even from its lone major ally, China, has been working on a missile, mounted with a nuclear warhead, capable of striking the U.S. mainland.
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has called for an immediate halt to Pyongyang's provocations and has warned that the "era of strategic patience" with North Korea is over. U.S. Disarmament Ambassador Robert Wood said on Tuesday China's leverage was key and that it could do more.
South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo told parliament Sunday's test-launch was "successful in flight".
"It is considered an IRBM (intermediate range ballistic missile) of enhanced caliber compared to Musudan missiles that have continually failed," he said, referring to a class of missile designed to travel up to 3,000 to 4,000 km (1,860 to 2,485 miles).
Asked if North Korea's missile program was developing faster than the South had expected, he said: "Yes."
The North's KCNA news agency said Sunday's launch tested its capability to carry a "large-size heavy nuclear warhead". Its ambassador to China said in Beijing on Monday it would continue such test launches "any time, any place".
The missile flew 787 km (489 miles) on a trajectory reaching an altitude of 2,111.5 km (1,312 miles), KCNA said.
Pyongyang has regularly threatened to destroy the United States, which it accuses of pushing the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war by conducting recent military drills with South Korea and Japan.
Trump and new South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet in Washington next month, with North Korea expected to be high on the agenda, the South's presidential Blue House said.
Moon met Matt Pottinger, overseeing Asian affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, on Tuesday and said he hoped to continue to have "sufficient, close discussions" between Seoul and Washington, the Blue House press secretary said at a briefing.
"FURTHER SANCTIONS POSSIBLE"
In a unanimously agreed statement, the 15-member UN Security Council said it was of vital importance that North Korea show "sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action and stressed the importance of working to reduce tensions".
"To that end, the Security Council demanded the Democratic People's Republic of Korea conduct no further nuclear and ballistic missile tests," the council said, adding that it was ready to impose further sanctions on the country.
The statement also condemned an April 28 ballistic missile launch by Pyongyang.
Following that launch, Washington began talks with China on possible new U.N. sanctions. Traditionally, the United States and China have negotiated new measures before involving remaining council members.
The United States sees China as key, U.S. Disarmament Ambassador Wood told reporters on a conference call.
"I'm not going to talk about various policy options that we may or may not consider, but I will say this: we are certainly engaged right now in looking at a number of measures - political, economic, security - to deal with these provocative acts by the DPRK, and dangerous acts in many cases," he said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"So we are going to be raising the level of engagement with China on this issue. China really is the key in dealing with the North Korea issue. Ninety percent of the DPRK's trade is with China, so clearly there is a lot more leverage that China has, and we would like China to use."
The Security Council first imposed sanctions on North Korea in 2006 and has strengthened the measures in response to its five nuclear tests and two long-range rocket launches. Pyongyang is threatening a sixth nuclear test.
Trump warned in an interview with Reuters this month that a "major, major conflict" with North Korea was possible. In a show of force, the United States sent an aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, to waters off the Korean peninsula to conduct drills with South Korea and Japan.
RELATED COVERAGE
U.S. Admiral Harris: North Korea action underscores importance of U.S.-Japan-South Korea cooperation
U.S. ambassador says Chinese leverage is key to North Korea
Admiral Harry Harris, the top U.S. commander in the Asia-Pacific, said on Tuesday continued missile launches by North Korea showed the importance of the alliance between Japan and the United States.
"The actions of North Korea are unacceptable," Harris said at the start of a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. "It underscores not only the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance, but also U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral cooperation."
Harris is to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Defense Minister Tomomi Inada later in the day.
The U.S. Seventh Fleet carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, left Yokosuka in Japan on Tuesday on its regular spring patrol and will be out for around three to four months, according to a Seventh Fleet spokesman.
The spokesman declined to say where it was bound and added he was not aware how long the Carl Vinson would remain in the region.
Apart from worries about North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programs, cyber security researchers have found technical evidence they said could link North Korea with the global WannaCry "ransomware" cyber attack that has infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries since Friday.
Symantec and Kaspersky Lab said on Monday some code in an earlier version of the WannaCry software had also appeared in programs used by the Lazarus Group, which researchers from many companies have identified as a North Korea-run hacking operation.
(For a graphic on North Korea missile launch, click tmsnrt.rs/2pNI8t6)
(For a graphic on nuclear North Korea, click tmsnrt.rs/2n0gd92)
(Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the UNITED NATIONS, Kiyoshi Takenaka in TOKYO, Tom Miles in GENEVA and Ju-min Park in SEOUL; Writing by Nick Macfie; Editing by Paul Tait)
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InsideNK Retweeted Already Happened
South Korean military near the North Korean border
S Korean military convoy loaded w/ heavy self-propelled artillery spotted near Paju ~15km away from N Korea border �� https://already-happened.com/2017/0...aju-about-15km-away-from-north-korean-border/ …
InsideNK Retweeted Already Happened
South Korean military near the North Korean border
S Korean military convoy loaded w/ heavy self-propelled artillery spotted near Paju ~15km away from N Korea border �� https://already-happened.com/2017/0...aju-about-15km-away-from-north-korean-border/ …