Pyongyang Knocking

NRO ^ | February 15, 2005 | William F. Buckley Jr.

[neverdem]

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February 15, 2005, 1:19 p.m.

Pyongyang Knocking
The exasperating nuclear bomb issue.

The North Korean nuclear bomb issue is as exasperating as any post-Soviet dilemma the U.S. has ever faced. We don't know whether Dear Leader Kim Jong Il actually has the several bombs alleged, but there is no alternative to assuming that he does have them, and we know that he has missiles nimble enough to fly right over Japan. Great-circle-wise, Alaska is cheek by jowl with that part of the world.

There is, then, no strategy at hand that doesn't presuppose that a part of the United States could be attacked by North Korean bombs. But it is also clear that measured alongside the vulnerability of other targets, we are remote. From which it follows that North Korea's neighbors are in closer range and reasonably have more to fear.

For obvious reasons, the nations involved simply assume that the United States is going to dictate policy, though China is critical, and it is in Peking that the six powers last convened. It is a responsibility of President Bush to address the nations on the borders and persuade them that it is they who have to devise policies to cope with Kim Jong Il, because they must contain their deadly dangerous neighbor. North Korea is 10,000 miles away from our heartland.

China, Russia, South Korea, and Japan are immediately affected by the rise of Pyongyang to nuclear status. It is they that need to set policy, and petition the world for relevant aid in implementing it.

Obviously the United States' nuclear arsenal is available for punitive action, in the event Pyongyang were to launch a missile. But that is different from serving a deterrent purpose. If Dear Leader shoots off a missile, deterrence has ipso facto failed. An ensuing rainstorm of nuclear bombs made in the U.S.A. would bring devastation, but that is different from preemption, which is what the world hopes for.

We know now, from Libyan revelations, that uranium hexafluoride, which is the progenitor of the nuclear bomb, was sold by North Korea to Libya. We don't know whom else the stuff was sold to, but do know that there are aspirant nuclear bomb producers between Libya and North Korea, including Syria, Iran, and even Egypt. It is alarming to reflect that the sale of the uranium has to mean that it was surplus to North Korea's own needs, suggesting that its inventory might be larger than we have feared.

There isn't any obvious way that a confederation of nations could simply estop traffic from North Korea to other parts of the world, and the politics of any attempt at such a quarantine would be difficult to devise (no ships from North Korea to unpleasant countries will henceforward be permitted?). Yet the neighboring powers need to come up with something, and the nearest anyone has come is Japan's pending requirement that any ship entering its harbors be insured against oil spills, a measure pretty explicitly directed against North Korean shipping which is uninsured. China, of course, could impose definitive sanctions, stopping food shipments, oil, and opening its borders to North Korean emigration.

What the country's leaders will need to gauge is the reaction of Kim to economic pressure. All that has been asked of him, so far, is that he abandon his nuclear development, pursuant to a formal commitment made by North Korea to the International Atomic Energy Agency. But the great question is whether incremental pressure will lead Pyongyang a) to the abandonment of the nuclear program, or b) to the use of its weaponry, never mind the retaliatory devastation brought on.

Kim's southern border is a mere 40 miles from Seoul, a geophysical reality which has encouraged South Korea to a supplicant's role in policies aimed at the North. So — that is a problem. But it is more immediately a problem for South Korea, and then for Japan and China and Russia, than for the United States.

We are advised that the personal hostility felt by Bush and Kim for each other argues for a diminished role by the United States in prospective policies (they are calling it the "tool kit") aimed at Kim. The lesson to take from this, we are advised, is for Mr. Bush not to append his name to any official derogation of Dear Leader. That is a considerable sacrifice for the President, but one he'll simply have to make — while turning to the Pacific powers and informing them that it is up to them to take the next step.

 

	http://www.nationalreview.com/buckley/wfb200502151319.asp

[RightWhale]

There are few potential targets in the US for this N Kor bomb. Both are in Alaska. That is where I am. We are facing total thermonuclear destruction here, and does anybody care?

[IslandJeff]

What's the range of that new TaepoDong 3 (forgive my ignorance of missile systems)or whatever they have now? They're certainly good at the art of saber-rattling.

[demlosers]

We are facing total thermonuclear destruction here, and does anybody care?

Dig a nuclear fallout shelter. Also, how many intercept missiles are now on duty at Fort Richardson?

[Stashiu]

Well, there have been reports in the press that their range may well extend beyond the Rockies. A nuke, even if the missile is inaccurate, would not be a welcome intrusion into your day.

I would expect defensive assets to be deployed prior to any nuclear showdown. However, Kim Jung Il is a real wild card.

If I were on the left coast, Alaska, Hawaii, Okinawa, etc, I would be digging in.

[RightWhale]

how many intercept missiles are now on duty at Fort Richardson?

Yeah, funny thing is, they aren't there to defend Alaska. But San Fran, Seattle, Portland, Chicago. Will anybody miss us when we are gone? All the moose, rabbits, mosquitos, sourdoughs, all gone in a flash--pzzzt!

[IslandJeff]

Thanks for the info. Here in W Washington we have more than our share of potential targets. It seems somewhat strange to root for both Condi and Beijing at the same time.
-Jeff

[joedelta]

Well, this'll help you sleep better. The North Korean's requests are truely reasonable. Here, from the Korean Central News Agency of the DPRK (http://www.kcna.co.jp/index-e.htm):

Prompt Measures for Solution to Nuclear Issue between DPRK and U.S. Urged

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- The Headquarters of the People's Movement for the Withdrawal of the U.S. Forces in south Korea on February 10 reportedly issued a commentary titled "North's possession of nuclear weapons is a legitimate self-defensive step of a sovereign state". Recalling the announcement of the DPRK that it will indefinitely suspend its participation in the six-party talks and has produced nuclear weapons against the U.S. hostile policy, the commentary demanded the U.S. take an immediate measure for a solution to the nuclear issue between it and the DPRK.

The commentary went on:

Has the north made nuclear weapons as it wanted them? No, it is entirely due to the United States. With economic blockade added to war threat, the north had no other choice but to arm itself with self-defensive power.

If the U.S. truly wants a solution to the "nuclear issue of the north", it should take the following measures at once:

Firstly, it should replace the armistice agreement between the north and the U.S. with a permanent peace agreement and withdraw its forces from this land.

Secondly, it should promptly retract its economic blockade policy against the north which has lasted over half a century.

Thirdly, it should officially declare that it will not lay any obstacle in the way of the Korean nation solving the reunification question independently by its own efforts under the banner of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration.

The U.S. should clearly know that only when it takes these measures first can there be an advance in the settlement of the so-called "nuclear issue of the north". Otherwise, it is not entitled to talk about the north's possession of nukes or something more formidable.

[RightWhale]

nukes or something more formidable.

New terror weapons. Sieg heil!

[joedelta]

They are crazier than $hi* house rats. And dims wonder why they were part of the Axis of Evil. Here's a clue, dims- they are Evil!

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

You have oil....we do care. And you should probably consider moving...just my thoughts (and I am serious).

[RightWhale]

Thanks. I already moved, that's why I am here.

Remember the guy who saw WW II coming and moved to a remote island to get away? Solomon Islands. Guadalcanal.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

I think the biggest problem with Americans (myself included) is that we cannot grasp the mindset of the North Koreans, all though their leaders commit atrocities against their own people, they worship their leader, it is quite CULT like. If anyone has any suggestions as to a good book about North Korea, please send me a link.

[hushpad]

We are facing total thermonuclear destruction here, and does anybody care?<<

We do care. But I suspect that PyongYangs threats are backed by impotence. He's just screaming to get attention, so he can say that the Great Yang made the USA Kow Tow to his demands.

Alaska is safer if we dont give in to this third-world wanna-be.

[Owl558]

"Will anybody miss us when we are gone? All the moose, rabbits, mosquitos, sourdoughs, all gone in a flash--pzzzt!"

Oh no!! Not the sourdough!!!

Will we miss you? Where are you going again?

[hosepipe]

The North Koreans could fire a missle, hitting what you aimed at is another matter.. N.Korea actually hitting anchorage with a nuke from that far way away has as much chance of connecting as Richard Simmons makeing the eight ball on the break dressed in a chicken suit.. in a game of eight ball.. with a condom filled with marbles as a cue stick..

Better the U.S.A leaves South Korea and let the South Koreans make tanks instead Hyundais to give Kimmie a real threat to think about..

[neverdem]

We are facing total thermonuclear destruction here, and does anybody care?

We care and we're trying. Rocket Fails to Launch in Test Run

[demlosers]

Oh, when you do build your bomb shelter, ensure it has an Internet hook up, preferably EMP hardened, so to keep us on FR informed. ;^)

Save the sourdoughs!

[demlosers]

Mr. Lehner said the interceptor reacted to an erroneous "abort" command a few seconds before it was scheduled to launch. Scientists think the order may have been generated by something in the silo, by electronic monitoring equipment or by some other device, he said.

It appears to be a glitch that can be easily overcome.

[joedelta]

Oh, I understand that they worship the freak. If anyone doubts it check this nugget of joy out. This is the story just below the one I posted above.

Meeting Held in Mt. Paektu to Vow Loyalty to Kim Jong Il

Secret Camp in Mt. Paektu, February 13 (KCNA) -- A meeting to vow loyalty to leader Kim Jong Il was held in front of his old home in the secret camp in Mt. Paektu Sunday on the occasion of his birthday (Feb.16). Floating in the sky above the secret camp were large balloons from which were suspended slogan "Highest glory to the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il" and other slogans. Flags of the Workers' Party and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and red flags were seen fluttering around the old home.

After the meeting was declared open, all its participants took a solemn oath of loyalty, led by Kim Il Chol, member of the DPRK National Defence Commission and minister of the People's Armed Forces.

They pledged themselves to hold President Kim Il Sung in high esteem as the eternal sun of Juche, true to the noble intention of Kim Jong Il who set a world historic example by accomplishing the cause of perpetuating his memory.

They solemnly vowed to absolutely trust Kim Jong Il only, firmly protect the single-minded unity of the whole Party and army and all the people with the headquarters of the revolution as its core and devotedly defend him with unshakable revolutionary faith and sense of obligation.

Declaring that they would firmly uphold and preserve the great Juche idea and Songun idea as a lifeline of the Korean revolution and dynamically advance along the road of the Songun revolution, they evinced the strong resolution to perform fresh miracles and feats in the drive to scale the high eminence of a great prosperous powerful nation and glorify the 60th anniversaries of the WPK and the liberation of the country as grand festivals of victors.

They also vowed to mercilessly wipe out the imperialist aggressors who are working hard to infringe upon the sovereignty and dignity of the DPRK with the invincible might of Songun and embody the idea of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration to accomplish the historic cause of national reunification without fail.

Firework was displayed to beautifully adorn the sky above the Jongil Peak when the high praises of the great man prevailed in the primitive forest.

Servicepersons of the three services of the KPA, poets and artistes recited poems in an excited tone.

Present at the meeting were Yang Hyong Sop, Jong Ha Chol, Kim Ki Nam and Kwak Pom Gi, members of the Cabinet, senior officials of the Party and military organs, officials of local Party and power bodies and working people's organizations, KPA servicepersons, members of volunteer teams of Party information workers from across the country and working people in Ryanggang Province.

The participants looked round the old home in the secret camp.