http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004111034048
U.S. sets the “Red Line” on the N. Korea Nuclear Issue
NOVEMBER 09, 2004 23:10
by Won-Jae Park
By quoting a high-ranking official of the U.S. government, Japan`s Yomiuri Shimbun reported yesterday that the U.S. finalized its policy to draw a limit line (“Red Line”), referring to a scenario in which North Korea transfers nuclear-related materials to a third party, and that the U.S. would take strong countermeasures “immediately” if North Korea steps over this line. The official did not explain the specific countermeasures to be taken if North Korea steps over the line, but the newspaper reported that it is understood, in fact, that the decision was a strong warning that the U.S. does not exclude the possibility of using military forces. It is the first time that a high-profile official of the George W. Bush administration commented on the limits of the Red Line concerning the North Korea nuclear issue. The Yomiuri Shimbun conveyed that the official stressed, “(North Korea) should never think that it can make the transfer,” referring to the transfer of nuclear materials to a third party. Additionally, the newspaper quoted another U.S. high-ranking official who stated, “Concerning the indication that the U.S. would not be able to exert sufficient military pressure because the U.S. has its hands tied in Iraq, Iraq is no hindrance, for the army is dispatched to that country and the U.S. will mainly cope with North Korea with its navy and air forces.”
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20041107-055605-6954r.htm
Documents: U.S. had plan to nuke N. Korea
Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 7
(UPI) -- Newly declassified documents revealed the United States planned as recently as 1998 to drop nuclear bombs on North Korea if the country attacked South Korea.
As part of "scenario 5027," 24 F15-E bombers flew simulation missions at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina to drop mock nuclear bombs on a firing range between January and June 1998, the Korea Times reported Sunday.
The revelation followed claims by a South Korean lawmaker that the U.S. drew up plans to launch preemptive strikes on key targets in North Korea in 1994.
The report also came amid concerns that President George Bush will take a tougher stance with North Korea during his second term.
The declassified documents also said the U.S. had kept nuclear weaponry in South Korea until at least 1998, despite officially claiming it had withdrawn all nuclear warheads in 1991.
The report also came amid concerns that President George Bush will take a tougher stance with North Korea during his second term.
I hope they do take a tougher, or at least much firmer, stance with N.K. IMO we have coddled them for too long. Whether it's Kim Jong il or whoever follows him they are a dangerous situation almost to the boiling point. It seems that the N.K. people have been so isolated and brainwashed that there is not really any hope of civility once their "leader" is gone.