N. Korean Missile Export... Blocked by China(a factor in forcing missile launches?)

MBC (SKor TV) ^ | 09/04/06 | Shin Kyung-min

[TigerLikesRooster]

N. Korean Missile Export... Blocked by China

[MBC TV 2006-09-04 21:30]    

(Translator's Note: This is the transcript of an evening news segment)

[News Desk]

Anchor: N. Korea's missile export is being blocked.

After shipment by sea had been blocked, N. Korea has been trying to use air shipment, but China is blocking it, according to what we have found.

Sino-N. Korean relation is not what it used to be.

Correspondent Shin Kyung-min will be reporting. 

Correspondent: S. Korean government confirmed to us that N. Korean planes carrying missile components have been blocked by China from using Chinese airspace on many occasions since 2005.

U.S. intelligence monitoring N. Korea tipped off information on (N. Korean) air shipment of missile components, and China followed on it.

It is rather noteworthy that China, who did not join U.S.-sponsored PSI, Proliferation Security Initiative, accepted the U.S. requests.

Banning the use of its airspace naturally upset N. Korea, even feeling China betrayed them.

This might have been a factor when N. Korea went ahead of missile launches despite China's strong warning.

To N. Korea, missile is the symbol of N. Korean military power, bargaining chip to use against U.S., and premier export product.

In 2001, N. Korea is estimated to have earned 560 million dollars from missile export. After PSI is imposed late 2003, its revenue from the export plummeted to 100~200 million dollars annually, and missile export has been no longer done by sea, but by air. 

After Chinese ban, (N. Korean) missile export route is almost completely blocked. Currently, about 1,000 missiles are sitting at a warehouse, and the missile inventory is turning into a headache, according to what we have learned.

N. Korea's disappointment at China is rising, and the relation between two countries is expected to move away from the old arrangement.

Shin Kyung-min reporting for MBC News.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

It sounds like the Chinese are sending Mini-Me a not-so-subtle message that he needs them far more than they need him.

[sam_paine]

Remember, it could of been a self destruct (Abort).

Yeah, and it could've been an Airborne Laser Intercept test.

And it could've been an Aurora knock down.

And it could've been an intervention by the hidden Overlord colonization fleet.

[BIGLOOK]

DPRK ping

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #16

I agree. If possible, landing should be done on Sunan, Nampo which is near Pyongyahng on the Western coast, and Wonsan and Chongjin on the East coast. Denying China the direct access to East Sea(Sea of Japan) must be an important strategic imperative.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #21

Right.

[justshutupandtakeit]

What country would want that basket case led by a lunatic on its border. Our border relations with Mexico by comparison are a vision of delights.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #15

Correction:

Uset Used to be Egypt, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Pakistan, and Iran.

[AmericanInTokyo]

PRC would love nothing more than to have the functioning seaports of Wonsan and Chongjin (of the DPRK) for their own Red Navy. Ummmmm, delicious, marine ports on the Sea of Japan facing Japan.

[AmericanInTokyo]

[RS]

If China decided they wanted to, when prodded Kim Jong-il would let them move down to the DMZ before we decided what to do about it.

It's a close call, but I think China will let the South have it. They have nothing worthwhile to gain from taking the North.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #30

As I said, how about access to East Sea(Sea of Japan)?

[Petey139]

RE #31

Maybe just the Coastline would be worth it, But who in the right mind would want a country that has 24 Million Starving Peasants. I mean the Commies have their own problems as it is with their own Muslim Group, Their Poor Peasants and so on.

But then taking over the coastline only is practically an act of war since Japan would feel extremely treathened.

Taking over the entire country is more of a burden. It would take a hell of alot of aids just to feed them since the current amount of aid isnt enough since it is usually given to the army.

But on the other hand, They can retrieve their Aid Trains back which is a good thing!

[RS]

"As I said, how about access to East Sea(Sea of Japan)?"

For what ? This is not like it's 1910 anymore. They would have to rebuild much of North Koreas infrastructure to get there, then when they do, of what benefit is it ?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #32

One of the scenarios I can suspect China could entertain is that China will secure some buffer zone to the south of Yalu and Tumen River. "How far to the south" is to be negotiated with U.S., and they would also demand a north eastern chunk of N. Korea(part of N. Hamkyong Province) including decent seaport on East Sea. This way, it would not much of a burden for China, and in exchange for ceding direct control of most of N. Korea, China secures nice seaport for PLAN.

[TigerLikesRooster]

See my reply #34.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Pardon my ignorance but, after 50 plus years of communism NK is a poor, starving country. What are the spoils?

[RS]

"PRC would love nothing more than to have the functioning seaports of Wonsan and Chongjin"

Why would any commander in his right mind want to build immoveable Navy bases within strike range of your enemies aircraft ?

[AmericanInTokyo]

You'd have to take that up with Beijing!

[Minutemen]

Well it would be safe to say that NK's customers are the enemies of tbe U.S., ya think?

[AmericanInTokyo]

coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower, intact missile launch sites, fishery access, salt water ports.....