Kyodo News: USA Is Warning of Possible Launch of NODONG Missile By North Korea (7:20 pm Eastern)

Kyodo News Service (From Original Japanese, by "Freepranslation") ^ | 6 March 2003 Japan Time | Kyodo News (in Japanese)

[AmericanInTokyo]

7:20 p.m. Eastern Time, Wednesday Nite

By ticker, with specific news to follow. Ticker: "USA Warns of Possible Nodong Missile Test Launch by North Korea" ("Kita chosen no missairu no nodong shisha wo keikai, bei seifu")

It is unclear who was warned but most certainly must be Japan and South Korea. It does not say when the Nodong test launch may occur. Other interpretations of the operational verb are: "on guard against, worried, warning, keeping an eye on."

Just appeared briefly and is still up on the Japanese Kyodo website (link above). More details should come in soon. It might point to an expected launch of a Nodong, rather than a Taepodong, from the DPRK in a short period of time from now.

Defense spokesman for Japan Ishiba and others stated yesterday that the DPRK Nodong missile is capable of being retrofitted with a nuclear warhead.

[duk]

Do you have any idea if they would make this a test over japan?

[Semper Paratus]

They need a better name the "No Dong."

Yeah, I'd be more concerned if it was the "Long Dong".

[JackelopeBreeder]

In North Korean, "No Dong" means worker, laborer, proletarian, whatever. Though it would make a good brand name for North Korean condoms...

[twntaipan]

Does the average Japanese in the street seem to be aware of this danger? How is it affecting Tokyo's view point toward self-defense? I have note recently that there is talk of a nuclear arms race in the region, but is that simply speculation, or are major players in the government giving thought to that?

[WestCoastGal]

I think we have the "long dong" so they better keep theirs where it belongs or they are toast. : )

[Milwaukee_Guy]

Thanks and keep the updates comming. Are you actually in Japan?

Isn't this quite a shock to the Japanese?

[Shermy]

Here's an Alaskan article you may find interesting. Talks about the failure of the Korean long range missle.

Newspaper says N. Korean missile pieces found in Alaska - Officials puzzled, say closest one splashed down hundreds of miles off coast

[RightWhale]

if they nuke our troops in Japan & SK

If they do, they would also begin to rush the border and start firing with everything else they have, because whether they do or not they would be about to lose everything.

[John H K]

I think the information about the "warhead" supposedly found in Alaska began as Japanese verbal info, translated into Korean, and then into English.

I have a feeling that it actually was talking about something landing NEAR Alaska and got horribly screwed up along the way.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Thanks and keep the updates coming. Are you actually in Japan?

Thanks. I enjoy contributing to FR. But frankly, I won't keep them coming if I have to research and translate from a foreign language and then post, for the benefit of the readership, and then have some people come on with foolish jokes and basically ruin the thread and our research and discussion. To me, this issue is not a joke. Anyone else agree?

Thanks MG (and also backhoe, duk, JBg and some others who I'll freepmail). Bye.

[b4its2late]

If Ill keeps it up, he'll end up like the missles name sake.

[Naomi4]

So if Tokyo goes POOF that ought to get our attention. Been seeing a whole lot of ads on TV lately paid for by the Japanese govt. to remind Americans that they are stalwart friends.

Makes me wonder what this ad campaign is really all about. Maybe a case of "do not desert me, oh my darlin."

Could be that N. Korea is coordinating its missile launch with our attack on Baghdad. If the Israelis are right, it will be Sunday.

[Jambe]

They need a better name the "No Dong."

That's about right! - "No Dong" translated into French as "La Pecker Free"

[Milwaukee_Guy]

IMHO the most problematic thing with NK is their huge standing army which is as much or more of a threat than any nuclear capability they have.

Our nukes should provide a deterent against their nukes but they have us outgunned on the ground. Not much we can do if the NK army pour over the border.

[steve86]

To me, this issue is not a joke. Anyone else agree?

Agreed, and your valuable contributions so noted. Please continue your reports and analysis. For many of us, you are the sole resource in that part of the world providing us with this critical information. Thanks again.

[bert]

The message is to North Korea...... We're watching you!!

[US_MilitaryRules]

Better name would be "No Dung" Then they can sell it to soddom!

[Alas Babylon!]

Yes, I agree. Please keep 'em coming, Gaijin!

[RightWhale]

I just don't think we could use nukes there

A nuke needn't necessarily generate a lot of fallout. There would be a suitable target or two, nukes optional. But general nuking of the terrain wouldn't be required.