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.
Whoah. I think it may be true- our ambassador has been spreading radios all over Cuba and Castro is having an enormous fit. I wouldn't be at all surprised if we- and Japan- are thinking of doing this for the North Koreans if we are doing it in Cuba.
Kim Jong Il both despises and is deathly afraid of.... the TRUTH.
The fact that Japan is in the works to launch their own recon satellite (and test derivative technologies) is very telling. I suspect that they want to be closer to the source of the intel data than waiting for Washington to release info regarding NK. They are a "direct customer" for this kind of information due to their proximity to NK and now they will have an independant monitoring system. This should get the attention of both the NK's and the Chinese.
It's ironic - the ones who seem to be complaining most about U.S. "unilateralism" will be the ones most threatened by its alternative, regional power structures. The Chinese, Russians, and French don't like Pax Americana? Fine - let them consider the prospect of a more independent (and armed) Japan, a unified Korea, an activist Spain, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Bulgaria...
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