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.

[Question_Assumptions]

I think that the United States needs to remind North Korea that Japan is under American protection and that any attack upon Japan would be treated like an attack on the US. I think this would not only act to deter North Korea but it would help boost Japanese impressions of the US. The Japanese are acting like real friends right now and we should let them know that we appreciate it. Though I still thin the Japanese would be better off with their own nukes.

[Billthedrill]

You are absolutely correct, which is what I meant by "final trajectory" and "getting lucky." In theory they could pick it up on the way down. In practice they'd have to be at exactly the right place at the right time to do so.

I do suspect that we may see some sudden and interesting developments in directed-energy weaponry on the part of Japanese research. They'd have had to be fools not to see this coming and they're not fools.

[duk]

From what I have read about basic nuclear explosions, they do put out a emp that is capable of disrupting electronics. If military targets are to hardened for a small nuke, then any large city will do. This kind of attack, while shutting down a city, doesn't lend itself to a counter strike with a nuclear ground explosion. I think this is overlooked by many here on FR.\
N.K. has limited resources when it comes to delivery of nukes, and most likely has a limited supply of warheads. They know that they will get one shot off, maybe two if their quick. After that it will be conventional warfare all the way.

[Jhoffa_]

They were threatning to test the re-designed version of their "dong" missile from what I read here a few days ago...

The three stage version is supposed to get them midway across the US.

Wonder if this is it?

[mommadooo3]

AIT.....don't go quitting on us here. They're not making fun of ya or anything. I think you know that. Your nerves have GOT to be shot. So, I'm SURE there'll be others who will join in prayers for your peace of mind AND protection of you and yours. Angels around you, dear FRiend.

OK, consider THIS...if you 'quit', you will cut off the 'eyes and ears' for thousands/millions of people who come to FR for the truth and the latest news in your part of the world.

Bless you for all you have done so far!

[GOPJ]

I'm glad you're on top of this, thanks for the post.

[GOPJ]

I'm glad you're on top of this, thanks for the post.

[Poohbah]

From what I have read about basic nuclear explosions, they do put out a emp that is capable of disrupting electronics.

The Devil, as always, is in the details.

First, it requires a pretty substantial detonation--on the order of at LEAST one megaton--and that means using thermonuclear weapons, which the DPRK does not have.

Second, the propagation and terminal effects are rather erratic. You can have three identical radios next to each other, subjected to the same pulse. One will hiccup and continue working without ill effect; the second will blow a couple fuses; the third will completely fail. There's no way to effectively predict which will happen.

If military targets are to hardened for a small nuke, then any large city will do.

Great. You kill the civilian electronics. That might make things easier for the military--because they aren't competing with Seoul cabdrivers for a slice of the electromagnetic spectrum.

This kind of attack, while shutting down a city, doesn't lend itself to a counter strike with a nuclear ground explosion.

Actually, it does. Simply evaporate Pyongyang. Make sure that the DPRK knows this to be our policy. That is known as "deterrence." It is also our present policy.

I think this is overlooked by many here on FR.\

Actually, it isn't. It's just put into proper perspective.

N.K. has limited resources when it comes to delivery of nukes, and most likely has a limited supply of warheads.

And what they have is too small to generate the really big EMPs.

[twntaipan]

There's a nugget of truth in what you say...but don't overlook AIT's location--he's considerably closer to the crazies in NK than most everyone on FR.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Thanks. Well, nobody I know is quitting. :-) Glad this discussion is going forward now w/ some good information exchange.

[Domestic Church]

Bookmarked! Hope I won't need them though.

[Centurion2000]

bump

[AmericanInTokyo]

You might also want to know the bulletin in Japanese was issued less than an hour ago for ALL JAPANESE TO EVACUATE KUWAIT and ARABIAN EASTERN AREAS OF SAUDI ARABIA IMMEDIATLY. (kyodo)

[Domestic Church]

"this issue is not a joke."

Correct. And backhoe didn't post those emergency links for news just for fun either. This is hot.

[CathyRyan]

I want to apologize for the rude remarks made on this thread. I am sorry. Would you please accept my apology and continue posting.

[happygrl]

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

Agreed. It's like on the Africa threads, everything turns into a Nigerian scam joke.

Some of us take this information, and the people whose lives it may impact, seriously.

Please keep it coming AIT. I appreciate it. Thanks !

[AmericanInTokyo]

let's not worry about this anymore, ok? :-)

[GOPJ]

The people who make unending jokes get tiresome. Please know you are appreciated.

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?

[CathyRyan]

OK :)

[Poohbah]

Agreed. It's like on the Africa threads, everything turns into a Nigerian scam joke.

Well, if the thread is about Nigeria...did you know that the 419 scam accounts for something like 16% of Nigeria's GNP? (BTW, that wasn't a joke, I'm VEY SERIES about that number!)

It's their main industry :o)