N.Korea Deploys Rocket Launchers Along West Coast

Chosun.com ^ | Dec. 20, 2010 09:00 KST | staff

[gandalftb]

North Korea has deployed multiple rocket launchers along the shore north of Yeonpyeong, Baeknyeong and Gangwha islands in response to a planned South Korean artillery drill on Yeonpyeong, government sources here say. The North earlier threatened an "unpredicted self-defense counterattack" to the drills.

A South Korean government source said, "After making the threat in a message sent Friday, North Korea raised the alert level at artillery divisions on the west coast and deployed the multiple rocket launchers."

The North also reportedly made coastal artillery ready to fire and put some fighter jets on the west coast on standby.

[cmsgop]

U.N. Security Council session ends after 8 hours without agreement on Korean crisis - Reuters
8 minutes ago via breakingnews.com

[gandalftb]

The scheduled start is 0200 GMT. Loudspeakers on the islands just announced that everyone is to be in the bunkers in 30 minutes.

[Oberon]

So, by remaining aloof, the entire SE Asia theater - and, more significantly, market - comes under Chinese sway without any more troop committment than it would take to control the oft-mentioned ‘refugee problem’.....

...unless the South Koreans win decisively, in which case the ChiComs would then have US-allied military and intelligence units right up on their border.

[driftdiver]

If it goes to war it will be a short and very bloody war. The resources we have in the region are all that will be at risk. There won’t be any time to move others into the area.

NK cannot maintain a long war without help from China. But lots and lots of people will probably die in a few short weeks.

[gandalftb]

"what are the odds that China will stay out of it"

Best I can tell, all outsiders will stand down and make this an SK to NK fight.

[driftdiver]

South Koreans have taken a strong dislike to Obama. They think he pulled strings after the last attack and prevents an aggressive response. They are tired of taking it.

[paulycy]

U.N. Security Council session ends after 8 hours without agreement on Korean crisis

Proving once again what a great idea "global government" really is... /s

[whershey]

I actually thought she looked like she was about to be sick

[Oberon]

Let’s hope so. I’m not feeling like we’re particularly strong just now, with the current administration and all.

[combat_boots]

I don't think S Korean young folks really think what it meant that at one point, NK overran Seoul during the Korean War. Cell phones and custom suits for everyone! /s

On the inside of this collonade are names of American war dead from the Korean War. On both sides. There are two other collonades, with the names of S Korean soldiers, and, N Korean soldiers who were killed. Each US State has its own section. The names are about 1/2 to .6 inches high.

[driftdiver]

“Best I can tell, all outsiders will stand down and make this an SK to NK fight. “

Our troops are in the line of fire. NK will probably launch on Japan in an attempt to draw them into it.

[cmsgop]

Thank you for your insight on this whole mess BTW,.....

[gandalftb]

Time check: WA DC Sun 2002 = Seoul Mon 1002

[driftdiver]

I was told the Norks captured some of the American crew chiefs further south. The Norks ended up putting wire through their skin and hanging them from the roof of the hangers.

[combat_boots]

Just in case people have forgotten: The NK people ate grass and dogs and maybe their own babies (there were reports of such) around this time (2003). You see NK coming into Seoul's airport.

[Normal4me]

Is “Being Black in America” on again? Or is it the latest Illegal immigration documentary? CNN is as much as a joke as PMSNBC.

[driftdiver]

Most of the available food is directed to the military.

[WaterBoard]

U.S. scholars and South Korean media said that if North Korea pre-emptively used artillery -- in one day nearly 5 million rounds of artillery shells could be fired, resulting in 200,000 casualties in Seoul.



North Korea's 240-mm MLRS



North Korean 122-mm MLRS shells collected from Yeonpyeong Island

The North Korean military has a MLRS brigade consisting of two 122-mm battalions and one 240-mm battalion at each corps, with each battalion having 18 MLRS vehicles.

The Fourth Army Corps, which is in charge of guarding the West Sea (the Yellow Sea), has 36 122-mm MLRS vehicles that can launch 1,400 rounds at the same time. North Korean coastal artillery positions are not equipped with MLRS, so the Fourth Corps is believed to have supplied them for the latest attack.

The 240-mm MLRS is among the greatest North Korean threats facing the South Korean capital Seoul. They bundle 12 or 22 of those rounds into a single burst, with each round being capable of destroying an 80 sq. m area. There are 200 of these MLRS vehicles lined up near the demilitarized zone. In times of war, they could fire up to 6,400 shells on Seoul, capable of turning a 6 sq. km area into rubble.

South Korean military officials believe more than half of North Korea's MLRS carry chemical rounds that can cause even greater damage. The South Korean military also fields U.S.-made 227-mm and Korean-made 130-mm MLRS. But in terms of number, the South Korean military is outgunned by the North with around 200 MLRS as against the North's 5,100.(From Chosun Ilbo)

[rfreedom4u]

With so much attention focused on Korea, what is the current China/Taiwan situation?

Could be the Chinese are hoping or even trying to get something stared in Korea so they can have a freer hand with Taiwan......

[combat_boots]

Thanks, DD. I forgot to mention that, but yes. The NK people get squat.