N. KOREAN LAUNCH OF MISSILE THAT HAS JAPAN 100% IN RANGE, ANTICIPATED (JAPAN NEWS SOURCES)

Yomiuri News (Original in Japanese) ^ | 13 March 2003 | Yomiuri News (Original in Japanese)

[AmericanInTokyo]

YOMIURI SHIMBUN WEBNEWS (from the original Japanese version/"Freepranslation" by "AmericanInTokyo"). Top story (13 March 2003 Japan Time):

--It has been revealed that increasing indications are that the North Koreans are going to lauch a No-Dong missile toward the Sea of Japan, as a test of the rocket's capabilities and in further escalation of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

--This information is confirmed through various sources of the Japanese government to Yomiuri News. The information aligns with satellite intelligence by the US, collected recently, which shows apparant North Korean intents, and the information was passed on to the Japanese government.

--The Japanese AEGIS warship, Myoko, is steaming toward the Sea of Japan. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense force is increasing it's alert level.

--The Japanese government sees this as another ratchet up by Kim Jong il in his game of 'brinksmanship' with the United States. They do not know if it is a bluff, but they are taking no chances based on intelligenc received.

--The USA is strengthening efforts with (redacted) by the USS Invincible from Sasebo Port, as well as increase in RC135-S (Cobra Ball) elint craft from Kadena AFB.

--If such a No-Dong launch takes place in the next few days, it will be serious. It will be a blatant disregard for the 1999 US-North Korean missile launch agreement, and further will be a violation of the 2002 Pyongyang Statement concluded between Kim Jong il and Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi.--This launch could occur within days, or perhaps a few weeks. At any rate, it will be seen as an other escalation by Pyongyang, and probably timed for US action on Iraq. This report follow another report last week on FR: "Kyodo News: USA Is Warning of Possible Launch of NODONG Missile By North Korea (7:20 pm Eastern)" (AIT analysis)

Technical Details: Range (km) 1,350-1,500 CEP (m) 190 (Previously thought to be several thousand meters) Diam. (m) 1.32-1.35 Height (m) 15.852-16 L. W. (kg) 15,852-16,250 Stage Mass (kg) 15,092 D. W. (kg) 1,780-2,180 Thrust (Kg f) Effective: 26,051 (-709) Actual: 26,760-26,600 Burn time (sec.) 110 Isp. (sec.) Effective: 226 - SL due to vains steering drag loss of 4-5 sec. Actual: 230 Vac.: 264

[AmericanInTokyo]

One request (and I don't expect everyone to respect this, but it's worth a try), but this is a serious topic. Please report in news, comments, data, etc.

As said earlier, and the FR moderators I believe agree, enough of the jokes about the name of the North Korean missile, as silly as it sounds. This joke is way old. Take that to a humor thread if you have to, please. Or if you want to freepmail yourself with it, have a grand time.

Serious comments to this thread, and the efforts made to find and translate these articles before they appear in the domestic US press; thanks. --AIT

[LiberalsWorstNightmare]

Bump! Thanks. Good stuff.

[ambrose]

I wonder just how bad the domestic situation has to be in NK for them to be doing this. They're literally crying out for attention (and cash)... I wonder if Kim Jong-Il could go the way of Ceausescu...

[El Conservador]

It's to allow Japan to have an offensive military and do away with her ragtag JDA.

Full military for Japan!!!

[El Conservador]

I meant "It's time to allow Japan..."

My bad.

[phasma proeliator]

BIG BUMP. Personally agree that it would be DAMN nice to have serious comments only.

[phasma proeliator]

Ping

[AmericanInTokyo]

I would imagine the pressures to unleash the Constitution, ironically enough which we gave them through the American Man who tried to liberate all of Korea, will happen in an effort to protect themselves from an enemy who long ago should have been totally vanquished!!

[AmericanInTokyo]

The suggestion is they are in dire straits, this is their last gamble, there have been coup attempts on Kim, and it is only a matter of time. They know "Iraq" is "target practice" for the DPRK. Convinced, in fact, of that inevitability. What's there to lose?

They have shifted nearly all of their national resources, and spartanly starved the poor people accordingly, into the military complex for offensive purposes.

[Constitution Day]

I agree, although I have been guilty of making "No Dong" jokes before.

I even think this should be in Breaking News, but I guess that's a moderator call.

[AmericanInTokyo]

:-)

[Gunslingr3]

Hope the rocket gets past Japan before it fails...

[MattinNJ]

Japan should have been allowed to restore order in Asia a long time ago. I'd imagine this is the last thing China wanted to happen.

Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Taiwan are not to be taken lightly.

[Constitution Day]

Lately, it has been such an asset to FR to have someone like you in that part of the world.
Thank you.

[McGruff]

I did a Google search and came up with a lot of historical info on this subject. I won’t clutter up your thread with results.

Question for all. Didn’t they already launch a missile over Japan before?

[AmericanInTokyo]

My take: The Japanese national psyche to avoid any kind of geo-political confrontation and diplomatically be all things to all people is deeply imbedded; has been there for nearly 60 years. But the pissed-off, samurai nationalist warrior spirit also co-exists way down 'in there'. If push comes to shove, it'll roar out and surprise many folks. Most of the rest of Asia knows this, too.

[AmericanInTokyo]

The missile launch OVER Japan was the Taepodong, several summers ago. Quite a shock at that time. This is getting people similiarly nervous.

[phasma proeliator]

Well, made it through 17.

[KriegerGeist]

"It's to allow Japan to have an offensive military and do away with her ragtag JDA."

Get Mitsubishi, Toyoto & Honda gearing the new and improved Zeros again. Call those old Samuris out of their slumber and have them sharpen their katana swords. Boan Sai! Boan Sai! Boan Sai!