Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

NORTH KOREA: THINGS ARE STARTING TO HAPPEN (Summary Report by "AmericanInTokyo") 3/25/03
Yomiuri News, Kyodo News, various N.E. Asian news sources (translated) ^ | 25 March 2003 | AmericanInTokyo

Posted on 03/25/2003 7:23:42 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo

("Freepranslation") for Free Republic

I find it interesting that some new developments are occuring with respect to NORTH KOREA of which we should take note. These Japanese/Korean news reports are coming in today (25 March 2003) after a relatively quiet and mysterious lull in activities with respect to North Korea for nearly one week now.

I caution that these in-and-of themselves are not particularly serious, but are sensitive, noteworthy and should be followed very, very closely by the United States.

N. KOREA NOW STARTING TO RAMP UP "INVASION" VITRIOL AGAIN--Several web reports I have seen have quoted dispatches from Pyongyang saying the communist North Korean Labor Party newspaper has pointed to the Iraq War as evidence that the US Forces will invade the DPRK next, and that defensive measures should be taken. The North Korean association of residents in Japan has said the mood in Pyongyang is of war footing and vigilence, and that North Korea feels it will be the next victim of the US, so it will move forward with unspecified moves.

USA 'INTERESTS' ARE NOW GOING AHEAD WITH A PLAN TO INFILTRATE NEARLY 20 MILLION SMALL RADIOS TUNED TO USA 'VOICE OF AMERICA' INTO NORTH KOREA FOR CITIZENS--This was Kyodo News news story today carried in the S. Korean "Joongang Ilbo". They will launch from somewhere near the Korean Peninsula, probably from maritime facilities. They will use balloons, etc. to send the small, light, crank-powered radios to North Korea so the people can get outside news, as their isolation continues the regime of Kim Jong il. This will make North Korea EXTREMELY angry, if the report is true. Watch this one closely!

NORTH KOREAN TROOP ACTIVITY (MISSILE RELATED) SPOTTED--Japanese intelligence reports increased activity on the ground with respect to Japan's missile program. They note an increase in activity in early March, all pointing to some kind of North Korean reaction to Japan's anticipated launch of its first espionage satellite this week. It is expected North Korea may then test-launch something, sometime on/around this weekend.

JAPAN TO LAUNCH FIRST ESPIONAGE SATELLITE--Japan is moving forward to a launch, 28 March Japan time, of its first independent spy satellite for surveillance of North Korea. Until now, they have relied solely on US KH11/KH12 or commercial satellites. (The missile activity spotted was based on commercial satellite information). This satellite launch by Japan has highly irritated North Korea and they call it a provocation. That is why Japanese intelligence, using commerical satellites, have detected this increased North Korean movement with respect to their missile launch facilities.

NATIONALIST SHINTARO ISHIHARA MAKING MORE NATIONALIST COMMENTS--Noted anti-communist, pro-Imperial Japan, Japanese author and Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara ("The Japan That Can Say 'No'") has come out strongly for Japanese rearmament to the point of being able to soundly repel North Korea. His comments have angered Pyongyang, but are gaining resonance with the Japanese People.

ASTOUNDING JAPANESE YOMIURI POLL: 76% IN FAVOR OF U.S. IN IRAQ--Over 90% in the poll reflected a fear or concern over North Korea; accordingly, their support is beginning to harden behind their only known defender in Northeast Asia, the United States.

NORTH KOREAN FISHING TRAWLERS IN S. KOREAN WATERS--Occurred yesterday. Fishing boats from North Korea went across the NLL demarcation line into South Korean waters.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: dprk; freepranslation; japan; kimjongil; northkorea; nukes; publicopinion; pyongyang; situation; skorea; usa
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-85 next last
To: jjm2111
you're welcome, jjm2111
21 posted on 03/25/2003 8:04:38 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (JapanTV showed report on Kim Jong il. He watches CNN regularly. Imagine his thoughts watching Iraq!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: jriemer
precisely
22 posted on 03/25/2003 8:05:05 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (JapanTV showed report on Kim Jong il. He watches CNN regularly. Imagine his thoughts watching Iraq!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: mabelkitty
I doubt any CNN reporters will be allowed to go to Pyongyang for the Pacific Theater War. For as slanted liberal as they are, rabidly anti-American at times, nevertheless the DPRK would suspect them, and they probably also know that CNN camera crews and reporters would be SWAMPED with requests by Pyongyang-ites to help get them out of the country somehow. It is a slave laborer's hell up there.
23 posted on 03/25/2003 8:07:12 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (JapanTV showed report on Kim Jong il. He watches CNN regularly. Imagine his thoughts watching Iraq!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
I can't believe that Japan is such in accord with America. All of the polls I have seen in Japan are 70% sansei shinai or hantai suru.
24 posted on 03/25/2003 8:07:56 AM PST by struggle ((The struggle continues))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mabelkitty
Since N. Korea is so isolated, the world would not know exactly what happened

Don't worry, our imbedded reporters could show 'em.

25 posted on 03/25/2003 8:08:04 AM PST by riri
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: riri
If we had to fight on two fronts, would we actually be allowed to fight to win?

The question is whether the South Koreans will fight to win. We'd support them, but the brunt of the battle would be theirs.

I think the answer is that we would be allowed to win, but there's the same old question of how China would react.

26 posted on 03/25/2003 8:08:07 AM PST by r9etb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
The Japanese are interesting, here. Not what I would have expected. They have the guts to at least *see* what's in front of them, unlike even South Korea.
27 posted on 03/25/2003 8:08:40 AM PST by Mamzelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mabelkitty
I've had the impression that very little happens in NK without the PRC's approval.
28 posted on 03/25/2003 8:09:01 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
Your articles are always a must read. Thanks for posting this, AIT!
29 posted on 03/25/2003 8:09:02 AM PST by MaeWest (Reporting from behind west coast enemy lines.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eric in the Ozarks
Correct, Eric.

The Peoples Republic of China is allowing this all to occur, and turning a blind eye. ("mekoboshi" as the Japanese would say).

And for what reason, hmmmm????

30 posted on 03/25/2003 8:10:37 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (JapanTV showed report on Kim Jong il. He watches CNN regularly. Imagine his thoughts watching Iraq!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
Thanks for the news of the western front.
31 posted on 03/25/2003 8:10:51 AM PST by bmwcyle (Semper Gumby - Always Flexable)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: struggle
It went from senso shinai or senso hantai position, as you rightly observe, to a strong support of the USA nearly overnight. It is incredible. Bottom line: They respect strength, and they also, I believe, in the last few days saw contrasting images of American benevolence and genuine kindness and good faith towards Iraqi prisoners taken, and on the other hand they saw American POWs laying lifeless after execution by Iraqi war criminals.

If--Lord FORBID!--Iraq launches chems against the good guys, watch Japanese grassroots support to soar for the USA to nearly 90% IMHO.

32 posted on 03/25/2003 8:13:57 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (JapanTV showed report on Kim Jong il. He watches CNN regularly. Imagine his thoughts watching Iraq!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo; MaeWest
Your articles are always a must read. Thanks for posting this, AIT!

I sincerely second that!

33 posted on 03/25/2003 8:17:28 AM PST by jigsaw (God Bless Our Troops!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
Considering that the KH-12 has a mass of approx. 19,000 kg, the Japanese booster technology is quite advanced if they want to launch something into orbit. Their HII-A boosters are rated for a maximum lift of 3,500 kg into orbit with multiple-payload insertions. I would think with their skill with minaturization and optics, the Japanese would be able to build a very compact but versitile recon sat within their lift limits.

Space is going to be very crowded in the future...

34 posted on 03/25/2003 8:19:41 AM PST by jriemer (We are a Republic not a Democracy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Eric in the Ozarks
What's Kofi doing about all this ?

He's holding another cocktail party for UN officials and UN ambassadors. Caviar and champagne will be served.

35 posted on 03/25/2003 8:21:09 AM PST by chilepepper (Gnocchi Seuton!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
I wonder what the public opinion in Japan would be if in response to an Iraqi WMD attack, we nuked the Iraqis.
36 posted on 03/25/2003 8:22:53 AM PST by 11B3 (.308 holes make invisible souls. Belt fed liberal eraser.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
Skoshi Nehongo wakatemas..
37 posted on 03/25/2003 8:23:57 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
Actually, if you have a ping list, can you add me to it. I do a decent amount of work w/ Japanese companies and I like to keep on top of what's going on politically over there.

Thanks in advance,

JJ
38 posted on 03/25/2003 8:24:12 AM PST by jjm2111
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
Thanks for the information. I was waiting for the NKs to make some noise while we were busy with Iraq.
39 posted on 03/25/2003 8:30:08 AM PST by MrConfettiMan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Head
fyi ping
40 posted on 03/25/2003 8:30:28 AM PST by MrConfettiMan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-85 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson