North Korea fuels missile, readies launch, U.S. officials say

cnn ^ | June 18, 2006 | cnn

[John Lenin]

Excellent time to test out our missile intercept systems, if it fails congress will be forced into more funding and if it succeeds they are still forced to put more money into the system. It's a win-win.

[NorCalRepub]

...yes of course.....the ALS would give them something to think about....wouldn't want Japan to go nuclear though they are probably the best allies behind Australia and Great Britain....but just the threat would scare the crapola out of the "Chinks"....and they could single handedly starve the N. Koreans out of existence......

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Within 6 months of the Japanese decision to do so, they could have a nuclear weapon.

[prophetic]

what a lot of people don't know of Japan is that their defense spending is limited at JUST 5% of their annual budget.

While this may seem small at 5% it still outspends many other countries esp with them being the 2nd largest economy in the world. My guess is that they have lots of the latest stuff. Note that they have purchased a bunch of our latest ABM missiles the SM-3 and they already have a bunch of our latest missile destroyers.

With the homogeneous society that they are, if they get pissed off they can easily mobilize in EVERY sense of the word which can only be compared to America's sudden shaking of its anti-war movement that prevailed before Pearl Harbor.

Its almost comical, but just compare 1st World and prosperous Japan to that piss poor, starving, underdeveloped North Korea.

[ClaireSolt]

How can we take the chance? How do we know that it is not armed with nukes? The map above shows it could reach Alaxka. Maybe they figure they could drill in ANWAR, if we wont. LOL I thought they could take out LA. No?

[cmsgop]

Where's Alaxka ??? :*)

[NorCalRepub]

...you are so right.... their constitution forbids them to have a military per se...but they can have a defense force that beats the crap out of most 1st world nations.. they are a great ally....and I'm betting they are way more pissed off the we are....I'm counting on it......

[LibWhacker]

Might be best. Heck of a countermove, too. With the exception of a few elements in Japan, Japan seems thoroughly westernized in many respects and quite friendly toward us and the rest of the west. Putting the spectre of WWII behind us will be much easier for us than for either the Koreans or the Chinese, that's for sure. Their bad for not trying to improve relations with the Japanese for the last 60 years.

[A Troop 1-14 Cav]

(The United States plans to join Japan in a sharp response if the test goes forward.)



I bet we sens them a testy letter. It might even have a "heck" or a "damn" in it.

[Citizen Tom Paine]

Use this test for an operational firing drill. Let them launch, then we shoot it down and say nothing. Missiles are a game that two can play. There used to be a saying - Muck with the Bull, get the horns. And if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.

[prophetic]

Within 6 months of the Japanese decision to do so, they could have a nuclear weapon.

With 53 online nuclear reactors (as of 2003) I'm sure they got a lot of fissile materials on hand to do as they wish!! Some have been online since the 1970's.

Little Israel with just 1 experimental reactor and tight funding has managed to cobble up approx 200+ nuclear warheads and a few thermo-nuclear warheads since the 70's.

I shudder to think what a pissed off Japan with its re$ource$$$$ could produce if really provoked.

[A Troop 1-14 Cav]

(And they are letting us know that they already have nukes.)


We should give them a couple. Of course the method of delivery might not be what they were hoping for.

[LibWhacker]

How can we take the chance?

That's my gut reaction, too! But if we attack them, it'd better be all out because if one American bomb hits one missile pad in N. Korea, the Korean War would be on again, this time with a nuclear NK that has icbms that can hit the CONUS.

So... we hit 'em with shock and awe and take 'em down quickly (which, realistically, is going to require nukes, preoccupied in the Middle East as we are) or we find another way -- for now. Lots of risk either way. :-(

[parthian shot]

What do Freepers think the "harsh" American response will be if N. Korea launches it?.....

I think that it would be very appropriate as a response to send Halfbright, Jimma "peanut man" Carter, and BJ over there. Oh no....not to negotiate, but to take Kim's place to run their country. Maybe a little too harsh huh??

[Fred Hayek]

And the test of the ALS can be covert. How is some third party going to track a laser? Ooops, the missile had an accident during the boost phase. Wink wink nudge nudge say no more.

[Syntyr]

I say we send him a couple of our Tridents to test launch. Here Kim catch...

Too bad as I understand it they are no longer MIRVd.

[seasoned traditionalist]

What do Freepers think the "harsh" American response will be if N. Korea launches it?

Three lashes with a wet noodle.

Pun, intended.

[cmsgop]

It's almost 11:00am in NK, should we put bets for Noon ???

[badpacifist]

Japan has all the stuff they need... ready made ...I bet they could put together with days or maybe hours.

[BenLurkin]

The "response" from the U.S. will be a diplomatic one.

Japan, however, may have a different approach?