NORTH KOREA ISSUES *NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL* THREAT THROUGH ITS UNITED NATIONS MISSION TO S. KOREAN MEDIA

Hangyorei News (Korea) via Yomiuri News (Tokyo) in Japanese ^ | 16 June 2003 | Takushi Kawada, Yomiuri News (Tokyo)

[AmericanInTokyo]

I have it from Japanese news sources this morning [7/15] (In Japanese from Yomiuri News at the designated URL link here, tomorrow, Asia Time) that the Hankyoreh News' (S. Korea) reporters reached the UN Mission of North Korea in New York City and interviewed one of the leading DPRK representative there, Mr. Han.

[The article is in Japanese.] The headline is "Nuclear Weapons Are A Necessity For Us To Prevent An American Attack Upon Our Country".

The nuclear blackmail threat was revealed by the North Korean UN representative today in the following context (my "Freepranslation" from the original Japanese language article follows):

North Kora Representative Han:

"The United States adopted the policy of isolating and strangulating them and then took the act following those acts, of suddenly attacking Iraq. We have looked at the Iraq situation and taken lessons from it. We have come to the conclusion that our conventional (traditional) weapon force is not a sufficient deterrent to prevent the United States from attacking our Republic. And for this very reason, we have concluded and decided on the necessity of developing nuclear weapons to protect ourselves."

When asked by the S. Korean reporter if "your movement to manufacture nuclear weapons is done either for your negotiating power against the Americans, or because North Korea itself really desires to be a nuclear power nation?", DPRK Representative Han replied:

"It's both. If (as) the USA moves to our nation next, by isolating it and preparing for attack, this forces the nuclear weapon production on our side. However, if the United States normalizes relations with us, and agrees to insure (guarantee) that they will not invade our country, then it's negotiatable. This is a game of 'chicken'. We will not change our position. First, we demand bilateral negotiations with the Americans only (even if at least one time), preceding any multilateral talks."

Han said he would not talk about details of North Korea's lower-level discussions with the USA which he said took place on July 8th in New York City, at which time the North claimed they had completed the work on 8,000 nuclear fuel rods (the so-called 'red line' the USA in the past said MUST NOT be crossed).

[AmericanInTokyo]

As usual, serious, folks. As we have always concluded and as they have alluded to in the past.

This is and continues smell of 'nuclear blackmail', right out in the open.

It should supercede any news story on the front pages of the American newspapers or the top of the hour radio news. This is appearing in Korean and Japanese only at this moment, according to what I've been reading.

[Redcloak]

The DPRK is sniffing around for another pay-off. They must really miss Bubba. Were he still around, they'd be rollin' in dough.

[GraniteStateConservative]

"I have thought for some months that if the North Koreans moved toward processing [spent fuel rods], then we are on a path toward war," [former Defense Sec.] Perry told the Washington Post.

[MindBender26]

How is this being played in Tokyo? Big news, medium news, etc?

In addition, what is reaction from Japaneese MOS? They are very sensitive to nuc weapon issues.... so wondering how this is being seen by the indig?

If necessary, Duck!

[Principled]

US, British, Chinese, Australian, S. Korean special forces are probably already on the job.

Headlines I expect to see:
"Internal explosion rocks N. Korean nuclear facility"
"Fuel from nuclear plants 'disappear' overnight"
"Sabatoged nuclear plant cannot be rebuilt"

etc....

But I don't think it'll be a shooting war.jmho

[boris]

Nuke em now.

[Semper Paratus]

It does look like a game of chicken but I don't think the NKs know how to drive.

[DoctorMichael]

A few tactical nukes leveling Pyongyang would take out most of the leadership of the country.

[Spruce]

It would be great if we could somehow get the citizens of NK to open their eyes and see what the madman in control of them is doing. Perhaps smuggle vast quantities of hand-cranked radios into the country.

[Wordsmith]

IIRC, the primary problem is that the NK facilities are deep underground and we don't have sufficiently reliable targeting intel to be certain of getting it all before they could launch a counterstrike.

[Principled]

So what they've done is ensure their obliteration?

[jriemer]

And it burns, burns, burns.... that sea of fire... that sea of fire...

[mabelkitty]

Is the UN going to do anything about it, or are we going to continue to wasted our money being abused and used by this terrorist organization?

[A Texan]

I believe you are right about the facilities being underground, but what kind of counterstrike do you think NK would try to do? Against the US or its allies?

[Wordsmith]

Yes. The best article I read on this recently equated NK to a national Jonestown suicide cult. The question is, how many are they going to take down with them? I can't imagine the US launching a preemptive nuclear ballistic strike. So whatever we do short of that, NK will likely have enough oomph left to hit somebody hard - which will then serve as the justification for finishing them off.

[babyface00]

Is the UN going to do anything about it

Why should they start now, and ruin their 50 years of inaction record?

[Carry_Okie]

This is really stupid of the NKoms.

Now that they have threatened to develop and export nuclear material and delivery equipment we must inspect their means of delivery. The only way we would interere in their trade is if it was nuclear material. If we find it, that would mean that they had already developed and exported that material without action from us. So to say that we instigated that production is an obvious ploy. The truth is: the NKoms intend to sell the weapons for money and if the weapons are to be used against the US that would make the NKoms happy. Action pursuant to that stance is tantamount to an act of war. If that's what the NKoms want, I am certain that Bush has the means and the will to respond appropriately.

Doth Pyongyang aspire to a glass refactory?

I am really curious about the South Koreans and whether they have the courage to face reality. I have my doubts. I am certain that elements of their media are pretending that there is a peaceful way out of this. It may be too late for that. Are they making serious preparations to survive a limited nuclear exchange?

[r9etb]

IIRC, the primary problem is that the NK facilities are deep underground and we don't have sufficiently reliable targeting intel to be certain of getting it all before they could launch a counterstrike.

OTOH, there is only one Kim Jong Il, and intel as to his whereabouts is probably much easier to obtain.

[conserv13]

(In my best Korean/English)

Ah no you kah say oh, Mr. Kim

[Wordsmith]

I don't know enough to say. From what I've read, I think the scenarios include both massive conventional strikes against SK (including US forces stationed there) as well as attempted (considering the reliability of their missles) nuclear strikes against Japan and/or the US west coast.