Posted on 05/14/2017 4:15:41 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
NK claims successful launch of new ballistic missile
North Korea said Monday it has successfully tested-fired a new ground-to-ground medium long-range ballistic missile, claiming that the U.S. mainland is within its striking range.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observed the launch of the rocket, called the Hwasong-12, on Sunday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
North Korea fired the missile from a site northwest of Pyongyang, according to South Korea's military. It marked the North's first provocation since South Korea's new President Moon Jae-in took office Wednesday.
The KCNA said that the missile reached an altitude of 2,111.5 kilometers in an indication that it may be a new type of a ballistic missile under development. It flew 787 km, it added.
"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," the report said in English.
Kim warned that the U.S. should not misjudge the reality that its mainland and operations in the Pacific region are in North Korea's "sighting range for strike and that it has all powerful means for retaliatory strike," it added.
If North Korea's claim is confirmed, the move is adding to concerns that Pyongyang may be closer to developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the U.S. mainland.
North Korea's leader said in his New Year's message that the country has entered the final stage of preparing to launch an ICBM.
It has yet to be verified over details about North Korea's new missile.
North Korea launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), known as Pukguksong-2 in North Korea, from the same site on Feb. 12. The missile is known to be developed with the technology applied to submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
Experts said that the launch appeared aimed at testing South Korea's new president who has vowed to seek a dual-track approach of pushing for denuclearization and dialogue with Pyongyang.
Moon is widely expected to seek engagement with North Korea to improve long-strained ties, but Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs are limiting his leeway for reconciliatory policies.
Tensions heightened on the divided peninsula in recent weeks amid speculation that North Korea may conduct its sixth nuclear test.
Pyongyang appeared to refrain from conducting large-scale provocations, but the latest launch is likely to complicate the situation on the peninsula.
Choe Son-hui, a senior North Korean diplomat, said Saturday that Pyongyang would be willing to hold talks with Washington "under the right conditions."
The U.S. said it aims to pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear and missile programs through sanctions while remaining open to dialogue. U.S. President Donald Trump is pressing China to rein in its unruly neighbor. (Yonhap)
P!
So, this will be their first successful test.
They have had what, 3-4 launches in the past few months?
After Trump took office they went haywire.
Interesting.
Stating the obvious, but it’s simply a matter of time before they’re capable of hitting the lower 48.
Why are our troops in South Korea, 50 plus years after the fact? The South Koreans more than capable of their own defense.
Because we know that if we withdraw, SK will fall to the North in a matter of days?
By staying, we allow their SK's politicians to go around masquerading as holier-than-thou leftists, espousing a philosophy basically borrowed from John Lennon.
There doesn't seem to be a whole lot northwest of Pyongyang.
Between Pyongwon and Taedong?
South Korea has twice the population and 50 times the economy of the North. They have far more sophisticated and functioning weapons. They can afford to buy the best of the best.
Why are we in the middle of this civil war?
The North has a military as well. Better than all the ME countries if I’m remembering correctly, and would likely be backed by China/Russia in a war with the South.
We’re involved because of treaties, and other world powers are involved. See above.
We have had relative peace in Korea for 64 years now.
That's why we remained. It's why we're still there.
The same goes for Germany.
Good questions, all.
“Why are we in the middle of this civil war?”
Because we aren’t just in the middle of a civil war, dunderhead. Soon they will be able to reach our mainland with a nuclear missile. As another Freeper pointed out above, if the N. Koreans were to hit a Japanese nuclear facility with its missiles, all that nuclear radiation would waft over to our continent via the trade winds. They are a THREAT to us, and many others in the world, and they tell us out front what they want to do. Sheesh.
That would be global catastrophe. Not only would the radiation spread to the east over the pacific and to the US west coast, the radiation would spread into the pacific killing an innumerable amount of sea life.
Wormwood anyone?
That wouldn’t affect just America. It would effect every single person on the globe.
Someone could do it without even using a nuke.
Ya that would be a really bad bad thing.
IT only traveled 420 miles.....it won’t reach the USA. Not even close by a long shot. Wake me up when the get one to travel 2000 miles distance.
Yes, but look at how high it went first.Higher than the space station.
Why?
1) Domino theory. Or have you forgotten how aggressively communism was spread during the cold war.
2) Nuclear Deterent. Or are you oblivious to Chia Head Jr’s constant threats and apparent progress.
3) Axis of Evil. It’s not just NK. They work with Iran and Syria. And probably some other bad guys.
4) China. Have you forgotten that China is still a communist country? Have they not espoused expansionist attitudes and actions towards Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and India?
You might not want to be too dismissive.
I believe that is about the range of this missile.
It I believe, I heard, can hit the west coast.
??? Germany and SK cannot afford to build and buy the best military equipment available? We shouldnt be at either country, including Japan.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.