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)
FatBoy Norker has proven that he has the limited ability with allies willing to help to improve such capability (Pakistan, Iran, Russia, China). Furthermore, the wherewithal and nuts to threaten the US is beyond the pale. Even the Soviets in their insane Cold War days knew reason and MAD. This is not a matter to underestimate this madman. Sneak a missile on a container ship and sneak into a major American harbor and there is zero defense and instant mass murder and destruction.
You’re welcome to your opinion. I disagree.
The U.S. being present in all three places made it very clear that if someone tried anything, the U.S. would be immediately involved. It made it clear the decision to go against the local nation would men a declaration of war against the U.S.
We faced on world war in 1917 and another twenty years later.
We have had relative peace for 60 to 70 years in those locations.
That’s quite good considering.
During that time we have spent far far less than we would have if we had been involved in a WWIII by now, and the last time we left Germany unattended, look what happened.
Why are our troops in South Korea, 50 plus years after the fact?
****************
Good question. Seems we get involved and never get out. Remember Sputnik was launched
October 4, 1957 by the Soviet and things have changed drastically over the last 60 years.
As were the South Vietnamese in 1975. Fighting and dying for their freedom is not in their DNA.
It will be interesting to see the effects of North Korea’s actions on South Korean politics.
Sane observations, my friend. Very good.
South Koreans fought with us in Vietnam (as did Australia and a few other allies). ROK units were very effective, particularly the ROK Marines. In one instance, they took over ground defense for an American airbase that had come under frequent rocket and sapper attacks from the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese.
While the U.S. unit that previously handled the task stayed close to the base, the ROK Marines launched an aggressive patrolling campaign over a wide area to find and engage the enemy. When they killed some ranking VC, they hung their bodies from trees and put up signs announcing they were now in charge of security in that area. Attacks on the base dropped dramatically in a matter of days.
While i had minimal faith during the Obama invasion i have much more optimision now with Trump in charge, thank the Heavenly Lord Hillary lost the election.
If something is going to happen it should be in this next week. Hopefully.
You don’t negotiate with terrorists. Don’t see why the same doesn’t go for Fat Boy.
I agree...
Why would a missile go over 2000 km up, but less than 500 km down range???
(Space shuttle used to cruise at around 500 km)
Probably a test for weight, might have had a concrete dummy payload to mimic their latest nuclear warhead, if they can get the altitude then all they need now is to adjust the trajectory, and extend it. This is it, now they know just how much more boost it requires to extend its range.
The next test i don’t think will be a test, it will be a live warhead, though they might detonate it out in the mid pacific, my guess is between Hawaii and the mainland.Or just south of the Aleutians.
Thanks for your reply.
But 2,000 Km in altitude? I have a hard time believing that would fall down less than 500 Km down range. Boy, talk about “Straight up, straight down”.
Very interesting....
...”Those that poo-poo this threat do so at their own peril”...
Unfortunately too few have a finger on the Worlds danger overall. Kim is even crazier than his father was..and those surrounding him are not about to hand over their comfy lifestyles without a fight and showing what they will do if anyone tries to disturb them in their country.
Then you have Russia, Iran, China and all their other ‘friends’ lending them a hand for their own purposes in that region.
Consider the number of pressure points Washington and Beijing share these days: tensions in the East China Sea that involve U.S. ally Japan, the question of arms sales to Taiwan and its future status, the South China Sea and now bilateral trade issues. China could easily demand America back down in one of these areas, much to the peril of Washington and its various allies.
For example, let’s say the Trump administration decided to give China a free ride in the South China Sea, one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes and the beating economic heart of Asia. Beijing would be able to cast aside the fishing, natural resource, and legitimate maritime rights of nations like Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and any other nation that stood in its way. Beijing would have control of not only Asia’s most vital waterway, through which 60 percent of Japan’s oil imports transit, but could economically strangulate almost any nation in the Asia-Pacific region. Would any nation in Asia ever see America the same again?
http://theweek.com/articles/697511/astronomical-cost-asking-china-restrain-north-korea
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