Flash - N. Korea readies missile launch ahead of US-S. Korea drill: report

AFP, France24 ^ | 14 October 2017 | AFP, France24

[familyop]

SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea is believed to be preparing to launch a ballistic missile ahead of an upcoming joint naval drill by the US and South Korea, a news report said Saturday, citing a government source.

The US navy said Friday that a US aircraft carrier will lead the drill in the coming week, a fresh show of force against North Korea as tensions soar over the hermit state's weapons programme.

The move will likely rile Pyongyang which has previously responded angrily to joint exercises.

The Donga Ilbo daily, quoting a government source, said satellite pictures show ballistic missiles mounted on launchers being transported out of hangars near Pyongyang and in the North Phyongan Province.

US and South Korean military officials suspect the North might be preparing to launch missiles capable of reaching US territory, the newspaper said.

This could be the Hwasong-14 inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), whose range could extend to Alaska, or Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missiles which Pyongyang threatened to fire towards the US Pacific territory of Guam in August, the report said.

Another possibility is that the North might be preparing to test a new Hwasong-13 ICBM, it added, that has a longer maximum range than the other two missiles and could potentially reach the US West Coast.

A defence ministry spokesman declined to comment on the report, saying: "We don't comment on any matters of military intelligence".

"We are keeping a close watch over the North," he added.

The joint drills led by the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier come after hectic US military hardware movements around the Korean peninsula in recent days.

These follow a flurry of missiles from Pyongyang, which conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test last month in defiance of international sanctions.

On Friday the nuclear-powered USS Michigan submarine arrived at the southern South Korean port of Busan, just days after another nuclear-powered submarine -- the USS Tuscon -- left after a five day visit.

Earlier this week the US flew two supersonic heavy bombers over the Korean peninsula, staging the first night-time joint aviation exercises with Japan and South Korea.

That mission came 17 days after four US F-35B stealth fighter jets and two B-1Bs flew over the peninsula.

Professor Yang Moo-Jin of the University of North Korean Studies said it was "highly likely" that the North could launch missiles in response to next week's joint navy drill.

US President Donald Trump's continued threats of military action against Pyongyang if it does not tame its weapons ambitions have fuelled fears of conflict on the Korean peninsula.

But military intervention against North Korea would have "devastating consequences", NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Friday, after Trump said diplomatic efforts had failed.

[Col Frank Slade]

Shoot down the missile as part of the drill.

[plain talk]

Shoot down the missile as part of the drill.

Yes!

[Pravious]

This “news” report reads as if it’s written by propagandists for the North Koreans.

[Old Yeller]

Might as well shoot the missile down. And if for some reason they miss, just continue with a full barrage attack. However, if you hit the missile, just stop right there, with enough of a message sent.

[familyop]

"Shoot down the missile as part of the drill."

Or stand fast and let the Russian and Chinese leaders continue to guess and fantasize.

[PapaBear3625]

Or a Tomahawk to the missile launch site.

[JimSEA]

“hectic US military hardware movements around the Korean peninsula in recent days.”

“Hectic “ is a pejorative that is not warranted by our actions. Though the press doesn’t support the unlovable North Koreans, their hatred of America slips in regularly. Given a choice, they might come to support Kim if a military solution seemed imminent.

[JimSEA]

I just had a thought, a rare occurrence, about the danger of an EMP attack from North Korea. It seems well within the capability of Kim. Now, much of our grid is protected. At least in part, by simple Faraday Cages. Would this moderate the effects of the EMP attack?

[familyop]

"Now, much of our grid is protected. At least in part, by simple Faraday Cages. Would this moderate the effects of the EMP attack?"

No. The problem for the power grid would be the very long waves (low frequency) hitting the lines. One answer is to order and store spare components like transformers, including transformers for substations. Some power companies are doing it. I won't say which companies, and no one else should post information about specific companies keeping spare parts (security). I don't know how many.

On extremely high frequencies, most vehicles should be okay. Vehicles are best if not running during a strike. Spare electronic parts can be ordered and kept in conductive cases (examples, steel trash cans, other steel containers, with parts wrapped in non-conductive material). Same with home appliances that have good, conductive cases around them. Don't forget to also unplug network cables from computers (very important), if the warning comes from the Emergency Broadcast System.

[prophetic]

I think it's time the alleged military triangle ufo TR3-B should make an appearance over one of these launch sites and stage an "abduction" of Fat Boy and his generals.

I'd almost guarantee that all these blustering & threats will quiet down for at least 1 yr.