ROK People see the Oppositions Parties and different parities
propagating the candlelight and influence the massive media and had no place
and space for rights to show their voice.
Finally people spoke loud with 12 millions people showed up everywhere and
shown their hearts and soul to destroyers of current President Park which
millions people have been shouting NO IMPEACHMENT PRESIDENT PARK KEUN HAE and
they have been shouting long three weeks but, the media have shown only a few
days after IMPEACHMENT HAVE VOTED with the biggest conspiracies have been
applied many people have shouted throughout the Seoul which have line up so
many busses and made decision BY THE OPOSITIONS AND SOME SAENURI. ALTHOUGH THE MEDIA HAVE SHOWN ONLY THE CANDLE
LIGHTS DUE TO OPPOSITION PARTIES TOOK OVER THEIR OWN PEOPLE IN ORDER TO TAKE
OVER CURRENT ADMINISTRATION FOR PRESIDENT PARK.
Many people see that over powered to the current president Park’s
administration without true legitimate reasons. South Korea now trying to put their own PRESIDENT
to DESTROY. SOME SAYS NORTH KOREA LEADER
KIM JONG UN CAN BE THE LEADER EVEN SOUTH KOREA AND INFLUENCING THE COMMUNIST
PARTIES THROUGH OUT THE CAPITOL CITY SEOUL AND EVEN OPPOSITIONS PARITIES
INSTEAD DEFENSE AND SECURING THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
HOWEVER, U.S. SOUTH KOREA, CHINA,
JAPAN ARE CONTINUE TO WORKING MORE STRONGER THAN EVER TO PROTECTING THE PEOPLE
IN SOUTH KOREA AND NEIGHBORS AROUND THE WORLD.
NORTH KOREA CONTINUE TO SHOW UP THEIR OVER POWERING NUCLEAR
POWER ALTHOUGH 3 PARITES AND GLOBAL PROTECTORS CAN BE DESTROYED NORTH KOREA’S
NUCLEAR POWER WITH CAREFULLY STRUCTURED SYSTEM AND HIGH TECH.
THE CLIMATE CHANGE, GLOBAL WARNING PROBLEM IS COMING FROM
NUCLEAR TEST AND TEST AFTER THEIR SPREAD WILL BE HARMING AROUND THE WORLD BY
THE NORTH KOREA’S IRREGULAR SYSTEMS
THE NORTH KOREA THINKING THE SKY IS UNLIMITED BUT, THE SKY
IS LIMITED BY THE POLUSION SPREAD WHEN THEY HAVING TEST AFTER TEST AND
EXPLOSION OF POISON GAS AND NUCLEAR EVEN SPREADING INTO the SKY and THE OCEAN.
THE SKY IS ONLY ONE WITHIN ONE EARTH THAT WE HAVE WHAT GOD
CREATED. THE HUMAN IS SPREADING THE
POISON AND DESTROY which WILL MAKE WORST land, occures earthquake, landslide, birth defact, strange desease, shrinking the ocean, also causes FOG AROUND THE WORLD from the nuclear test from North Korea and even propaganda effect. THAT IS WHY KEEPING EARTH FRESH AND CLEAN
AIR IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP HUMAN LIFE AND ANNIMALS LIFE ALIVE further keeping safe homeland in South Korea and Global world safe.
MANY PEOPLE, around the world and Many God
believers hoping that South Korea is not becoming the communist parties….. Hoping
The own flag of Republic of Korea(Tae Guk Ki ) fly high instead candle lights
of danger propaganda and destroying the beautiful South Korea environment.
US Remains Strong support for any Circumstances
Arirang News dated Dec. 8th, 2016 reports that The U.S. State Department
says Washington's alliance with South Korea remains strong and the result will
not affect their relationship.
State Department spokesperson
Elizabeth Trudeau said Thursday, local time,... that the political crisis in
Korea is an internal matter for the Korean people.
When asked about how the corruption scandal could affect talks
on North Korea,... Trudeau said the alliance's position of denuclearizing North
Korea remains unchanged.
Park Jong-hong, Arirang News.
The U.S. says the impeachment
vote will not sway its bilateral alliance with South Korea.
The State Department said the
relationship is "strong," "deep" and "solid"
despite the leadership crisis in Seoul and predicts the outcome will not have
any impact on the two countries' ties.
State Department spokeswoman
Elizabeth Trudeau made the comments Thursday at a regular briefing.
Asked if the South's
political situation could affect the North Korean nuclear issue, Trudeau said
the U.S. position on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is well known
and the position has not changed.
The
Current
situation of South Korea and having so many complicated environment which The
North Korea is looking for more confusion and bad environment within Korean
Government and people. That is the most venerable situation what North
Korea is looking for.
President
Park has been keeping strong Defense program and continue to working hard what
South Korea should have been in order to keeping South Korea peace and secure.
South Korea has been more strong defense homeland security. North
Korea is looking for more mass environment and fighting each other and complicated
situation for Government but, it is very important concentrate and
protecting the country and stay strong. South Korea should continue what
the country needs for more secure land and keeping together world peace with embracing
what has working together.
Chinese
diplomat: Jieyi Liu says that Since the beginning of this year North Korea (DPRK) has conducted two
nuclear tests and multiple ballistic missile tests. On the other hand certain
parties have kept strengthening military deployment, increasing military
presence, and scaling up military exercises. As a result the
confrontation on the Peninsula has intensified, plunging into a vicious circle.
This situation must be changed.
The familiar
system should be kept until the term is completed and the responsible
should be completed with their strong relationship without the complication for
foreign diplomat and homeland security. Hope President Park her endurance will
continue to serve for her country and keeping peace homeland that she loves.
We are all human and no one is expected perfect behavior except our God
and there is forgiveness within human needs like your own family is forgiving
as necessary.
Meanwhile U.S. and other nations are continue to working hard to protect South Korea in order to save human lives and preventing from the Nuclear danger situations. When North Korea explored Nuclear without the regulation procedures and exposed worst environment; i.e.,, earthquack, mud slide, exposing radiation, birth defect, pollution, Disabling fuctions and bodys, and unknown disasters will happen which we cannot handle by human, and it will be too late situation. Concentrating home land and global security is much needed at this critical time now.
Sources: Yahoo, Youtube, Arirang News,world KBS ,Wikipedia, Dec 2nd. 2016
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund
UN Security Council imposes "toughest" sanctions on DPRK nuclear weapons programme
According to UN's Report dated November 30th, 2016
The UN Security Council unanimously voted today, 30 November 2016, to impose the “toughest andmost comprehensive sanctions regime ever” on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its nuclear weapons programme. Reacting to the Council's vote, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the resolution “sends an unequivocal message that the DPRK must cease further provocative actions and comply fully with its international obligations.”
The UN security Council today(30 nov) unanimously voted the“toughest and most comprehensive sanctions regime ever” imposed by the Council on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(DPRK) over its nuclear weapons programme.
Secretary of General Ban Gi Moon: Today’s resolution includes the toughest and most comprehensive sanctions regime ever imposed by the Security Council.
It sends an unequivocal message that the DPRK must cease further provocative actions and comply fully with its international obligations. Targeted sanctions matter.
United State Ambassador to UN, Samantha Power: The door remains open for the DPRK to choose a different path; to choose the path of negotiations toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. When the DPRK makes this choice, the United States, and I know this Council, will be ready to engage.
China: Jieyi Liu: Since the beginning of this year DPRK has conducted two nuclear tests and multiple ballistic missile tests. On the other hand certain parties have kept strengthening military deployment, increasing military presence, and scaling up military exercises. As a result the confrontation on the Peninsula has intensified, plunging into a vicious circle. This situation must be changed.
Liu Jieyi (Chinese is a Chinese diplomat. Since 2013, he has been China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York. In 2013, Liu succeeded Li Baodong as China's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York. During November 2013, Liu was the President of the UN Security Council.
November 30, 2016: Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2321 on Sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
It sends an unequivocal message that the DPRK
must cease further provocative actions and comply fully with its international
obligations.Targeted sanctions matter.
United State Ambassador to UN,Samantha Power:The door remains open for the DPRK to choose
a different path; to choose the path of negotiations toward complete,
verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization.
Permanent Representative of the United State to
the United Nations
When the DPRK makes this choice, the United
States, and I know this Council, will be ready to engage.
When the DPRK makes this choice, the United
States, and I know this Council, will be ready to engage. China: Jieyi Liu: Since the beginning of this year DPRK has conducted two nuclear tests and multiple ballistic missile tests. On the other hand certain parties have kept strengthening military deployment, increasing military presence, and scaling up military exercises. As a result the confrontation on the Peninsula has intensified, plunging into a vicious circle. This situation must be changed.
Liu Jieyi (Chinese is a Chinese diplomat. Since 2013, he has been China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York. In 2013, Liu succeeded Li Baodong as China's Permanent Representative to the UN in New York. During November 2013, Liu was the President of the UN Security Council.
On a Same Day, November 30, 2016: Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. to the United Nations, at the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2321 on Sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The Security Council Resolution 2321 on Sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) respond to...
FACT SHEET:
Resolution 2321 (2016) Strengthening Sanctions on the DPRK
Sources: United Nation, Yahoo, Youtube, Arirang News,world , Wikipedia, WSJ Live Dec 2nd, 2016
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund
South Korea, Japan Sign Pact to Track North Korea
According to World KBS News,Dated Nov. 27th, 2016: Seoul and Tokyo have
formally signed an agreement which will enable the two sides to share their
military intelligence on North Korea’s missiles and nuclear weapons.
South Korea's Defense
Minister Han Min-koo and Japanese Ambassador to Seoul Yasumasa Nagamine signed
the General Security of Military Information Agreement(GSOMIA) on Wednesday.
The deal took effect
later on Wednesday after the two sides notified each other in writing that they
have completed the proper domestic procedures on the deal.
The signing of the
deal, following a tentative agreement early this month, came in less than a
month’s time since the South Korean government’s announcement that the two
sides will resume negotiations for it after a four-year halt due to fierce public
opposition in South Korea.
It is the first
military deal signed between the two countries since the Korean Peninsula’s
liberation from Japan’s colonial rule in 1945. Prior to the deal, Seoul and
Tokyo had shared military intelligence indirectly through the U.S. under a
trilateral intelligence sharing deal signed in 2014.
In a statement signed
by National Security Council(NSC) Spokesman Ned Price, Washington welcomed the
GSOMIA deal between Seoul and Tokyo, saying it will allow Washington's two closest
allies in the region to “significantly strengthen" bilateral, as well as
three-way cooperation with the U.S., on deterring and defending against North
Korea's threats.
The agreement
stipulates general security principles regarding military intelligence sharing
between countries, such as methods of sharing, protecting and destroying
related intelligence. The intelligence to be exchanged is second- or lower-tier
classified information. The deal will remain in effect for a year, and then
will be automatically extended each year unless either side notifies otherwise.
Local military experts
welcomed the agreement, saying it will create synergy between South Korea’s
human network and Japan’s reconnaissance ability and boost Seoul’s ability to
monitor North Korea.
However, criticism
abounds in South Korea that the timing isn't ripe for such an agreement when
Tokyo doesn't appear to be remorseful about atrocities committed by the
Japanese military during World War II.
The three South Korean opposition parties agreed to propose a
motion to dismiss Defense Minister Han over the signing of the GSOMIA.
Sources: Yahoo, Youtube, Arirang News,world KBS ,Wikipedia, WSJ Live Dec 1st, 2016
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund
July, 2016 Decision of THAAD, Deploys Eight To Ten Month Commander, Vincent Brooks
According to Kim Hyun-bin, Arirang News on November 4th, 2016: The commander of the U.S. Forces Korea says THAAD the missile defense system designed to counter North Korea's nuclear threats, will be deployed to the peninsula within eight to ten months.
Kim Hyun-bin shares with us General Vincent Brooks' remarks.
During a breakfast meeting on Friday,... Commander, Vincent Brooks said that THAAD will be deployed to South Korea in the first half of next year at the earliest.
He also said that the THAAD base here will be larger than the one in Guam. "You're gonna see the deployment of a THAAD battery. This is an alliance decision. It will come in the next eight to ten months. That is an army unit and a larger configuration than the one in Guam."
The allies agreed to deploy THAAD back in July to better counter North Korea's ever-growing nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
The U.S. commander pointed out that North Korea has the fourth-largest arsenal of conventional weapons in the world and emphasized that North Korea's continuous provocations are a very direct threat not only to South Korea, but also the entire region and the United States.
He stressed the importance of further enhancing the alliance between Seoul and Washington to counter those threats.
The regime has conducted two nuclear tests and over 20 ballistic missile launches this year alone,... in its quest to develop a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile.
Meanwhile, After Election, Arirang News also reported that Trump's nat'l security advisor calls S. Korea-U.S. relations 'vital alliance'
President Elect Donald Trump selected national security advisor says the two countries' alliance will remain rock solid... and has room to become even stronger over the next four years.
President Elect Donald Trump understands that countering North Korea's nuclear and missile development will be a top priority for the incoming administration.
South Korea's deputy chief of the National Security Office under the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, Cho Tae-yong,... and Michael Flynn,... his soon-to-be counterpart in the United States,... met on Friday, local time, with the North Korean nuclear issue topping the agenda.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting,... Cho said Flynn characterized the Seoul-Washington alliance as vital.... and an alliance that needs to be strengthened.
""We have come to the consensus that continuing to put strong and systematic pressure on the North Korean leadership is a strategic goal for the alliance."
General Flynn also told the South Korean delegation that the incoming Trump administration will tackle North Korea as a top priority as Pyongyang continues to pursue its nuclear and missile programs.
While on the campaign trail,... South Korea had some concern that President-elect Trump expressed some negative views about Washington's security commitments overseas,... even threatening to withdraw some or all of the 28-thousand U.S. troops stationed in South Korea... if Seoul does not cover more of the financial burden.
However, President Elect Donald Trump also vowed to look closely at the free trade agreement between the two countries,... saying the FTA,... which has been in effect since 2012,... was a "job-killing deal" and "a disaster" for the United States.
Since his election victory,... political watchers have cautiously suggested that President-elect Trump has softened his campaign rhetoric.
Cho said his delegation explained to the Trump transition team the benefits the FTA brings to both sides.
The South Korean delegation which is set to leave the U.S. on Saturday, They have been holding numerous meetings already to ensure the Seoul-Washington military alliance and their strong economic ties continue under the Trump administration.
Sources: Yahoo, Youtube, Arirang News, ,Wikipedia Nov 4th, 2016, Rev.,
November 20, 2016,
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund
Remarks by Secretary Carter and Minister Han in a Press Conference in the Pentagon Briefing
Press Operations
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Han Min Koo
Oct. 20, 2016
First, we discussed the continued threat from North Korea. Indeed, North Korea's nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, like the one that failed last evening, threaten the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the broader Asia-Pacific region. As with previous tests, we strongly condemn last night's attempt, which even in failing, violated several U.N. Security Council resolutions, and affirm that this latest provocation only strengthens our resolve to work together with our Republic of Korea allies to maintain stability on the peninsula.
Indeed, the United States remains committed to defending our allies against any threat with the full spectrum of American military might. That's why we're adapting our force structure on the peninsula, most recently by agreeing as allies to deploy THAAD to defend against North Korean missile threats. And that's why we're ensuring we remain ready to, as we say, "fight tonight." And we're working together to achieve a conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control.
And that's why the United States is reaffirming its ironclad commitment to defend South Korea with our extended deterrence capabilities. We agreed yesterday to establish the Extended Deterrent Strategy and Consultation Group through which we will discuss further steps we can take.
Make no mistake, any attack on America or our allies will not only be defeated, but any use of nuclear weapons will be met with an overwhelming and effective response.
According to South China Morning Post:
PUBLISHED : Monday, 24 October, 2016, 4:38pm
UPDATED : Monday, 24 October, 2016, 10:51pm
China's coal imports from North Korea fall amid calls for tougher sanctions over nuclear tests
Beijing announced in April it would ban North Korean coal imports, but has previously made exemptions for deliveries intended for ‘livelihood purposes’
China’s coal imports from North Korea in September fell by more than a quarter from August, customs data showed, after a push from the United States last month to punish North Korea for its recent nuclear test with a tougher ban on its coal exports.
Data from the General Administration of Customs released on Monday showed China imported 1.8 million tonnes of anthracite coal from North Korea last month. That was 27 per cent below the 2.465 million tonnes imported in August, which was the highest since at least the start of 2016.
The United States and Japan have been holding talks in Tokyo on North Korea's nuclear and missile threats,... and other issues of mutual interest.
South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts Tony Blinken and Shinsuke Sugiyama were said to have discussed additional sanctions on Pyongyang,... with heightened tensions since the regime conducted its fifth nuclear test in September.
The talks are the fifth of their kind since the first gathering held in Washington in April 2015.
On Wednesday,... Lim and Blinken, as well as Lim and Sugiyama held separate bilateral talks,... during which they agreed to work together to strengthen punitive measures on North Korea.
North Korea Threat South Korea Ash landWhen It’s Defends Nuclear Warhead Weapon by THAAD THAAD PROVIDES EFFECTIVE DEFENSE AGAINST TBM THREATS
According to Arirang News, On Oct 1st, during the 68th Army
Day’s Event: President Park Geun-hye said that THAAD is the minimum self-defense measure
needed to protect our citizens.It’s a
must to better counter North Korea’s attacks.
Per Arirang News in July, it was already announced that THAAD will be Golf Course selected as new location for U.S. missile defense
system at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club in the northern part of
Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.
The decision was made after a survey of two other possible
candidate locations. The golf course lies 296 kilometers southeast of Seoul and is
around 680 meters above sea.
The location is far from residential areas, in response to
Seongju residents’ concerns about the potential health problems posed by
THAAD’s radar system.When the official
announcement is made the deployment is still likely to face opposition from
residents of the nearby town of Gimcheon who had threatened to protest if the
golf were selected.
Another barrier the defense ministry faces is cost.
The golf course is valued at over 80 million U.S. dollars,
and the government will have to gain parliamentary approval for such a
large budget outlay.
THAAD is expected to be deployed to South Korea by the end of
next year to better protect agains North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
President Park Geun-Hye expressed that The most efficient means of reining in North Korea’s madness is
a unified defense based on the South Korea-U.S. Alliance. We must reinforce the alliance and maintain full defense readiness to
suppress North Korea’s nuclear development, establish permanent peace and achieve denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.
According to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE News, July 8th, 2016: U.S. to Deploy THAAD Missile Battery to South
Korea
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2016 — Based on recent consultations, the United States and South Korea have made an alliance decision to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense missile battery to U.S. Forces Korea as a defensive measure to ensure the security of South Korea and that of its people, and to protect alliance military forces from North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile threats, according to a Defense Department news release issued July 7.
North Korea's nuclear test and multiple ballistic missile tests, including the recent intermediate-range ballistic missile launches, highlight the grave threat that North Korea poses to the security and stability of South Korea as well as to the entire Asia-Pacific region, the release said.
THAAD provides the ballistic missile defense system with a globally transportable, rapidly deployable capability to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or outside the atmosphere during the final phase of flight, according to DoD’s Missile Defense Agency website. More detailed information you may click to view.
THAAD Intercepting A Missile
The system has a track record of 100 percent mission success all time in flight testing since 2005.
1: RADAR: Radar detects incoming threat.
2: TFCC (THAAD fire control and Communications support equipment) The target is identified and engaged.
3: TFCC and Launcher: ( THAAD fire control and Communications support equipment) Interceptor is fired from truck-mounted launcher.
4: Interceptor uses kinetic energy to destroy incoming missile.
After bilateral meeting on September 6th, 2016, Both
U.S.A and South Korea have agreed to maintain a strong deterrence posture by enhancing both US and
Korea combined defense capabilities to include the deployment of the THAAD
system.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
September 06, 2016
Remarks by President Obama and President Park of the
Republic of Korea After Bilateral Meeting
Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel
Vientiane, Laos
5:01 P.M. ICT
PRESIDENT OBAMA: It is always a pleasure to meet
with my friend and partner, President Park of the Republic of Korea, and her
delegation. As we all know, the ROK is one of America’s oldest and
closest allies. Our alliance remains the lynchpin of peace and security
not just on the Korean Peninsula, but across the region.
In recent years, we’ve worked together to strengthen our
alliance, and to ensure our readiness against any threat. For instance,
our missile defense cooperation -- THAAD -- is a purely defensive system to
deter and defend against North Korean threats. And today, I want to
reaffirm that our commitment to the defense and security of North South Korea,
including extended deterrence, is unwavering.
We had extensive discussions about the recent provocations
by the DPRK, and we are united in condemning North Korea’s continued missile
launches, including this week while China was hosting the G20. These
launches are provocative. They’re a violation of North Korea’s
obligations internationally. Its nuclear and missile programs are a
threat to not only the ROK, but to Japan, other allies in the region, partners
in the region, and to the United States.
So we are going to work diligently together with the most
recent U.N. sanctions that are already placing North Korea under the most
intense sanctions regime ever. We’re going to work together to make sure
that we’re closing loopholes and making them even more effective. And
President Park and I agreed that the entire international community needs to
implement these sanctions fully and hold North Korea accountable.
North Korea needs to know that provocations will only
invite more pressure and further deepen its isolation, but that if it is
willing to recognize its international obligations and the importance of
denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula, the opportunities for us to dialogue
with them are there. And we do not have any interest in an offensive
approach to North Korea. We want peace and security for all peoples, but
their current behavior has not been ones that are conducive to the kinds of
dialogue and diplomacy that both the ROK and the United States would prefer..
Beyond the region, our alliance is a global one. We
stand together against ISIL. We stand together in providing humanitarian
assistance for the Syrian people and for refugees, promoting global health and
fighting climate change. The ROK has been an excellent partner in helping
Afghanistan stabilize. It has been an outstanding partner on global
health and security issues. We talked about the leadership summit that
we’ll be hosting at the end of this month on refugees, and the important
contributions that the Republic of Korea are making.
And let me just say that as I wrap up over the next
several days my last trip to Asia, what a pleasure it’s been to work with
President Park and her team. They have been steady, consistent partners,
and President Park has been a stalwart ally and friend on a whole range of
issues. And her steady and wise leadership I think has greatly
contributed to the strengthening of what was already one of our most important
alliances. So I want to thank her personally for the excellent
contributions she’s made to advancing all the various issues that we’ve been
working on. And I want to thank her team as well that worked very hard
behind the scenes to make that happen.
PRESIDENT PARK: Today, I met with President Obama
and held fruitful discussions on how we will respond to the common challenges
that confront both our nations. In particular, it was a pleasure to
reconfirm that the Korea-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever, and is playing a pivotal
role for the peace and stability of not only the Korean Peninsula, but the
entire region.
North Korea’s nuclear test earlier this year and continued
missile launches are fundamentally threatening the security of both the Korean
Peninsula and Northeast Asia. I would like to make it clear that Korea
and the U.S. will respond resolutely to any provocations by North Korea by
utilizing all means..
North Korea launched another -- missiles again
yesterday. I send a stern warning that the continuation of such reckless
provocations will lead North Korea down the path of self-destruction. I
expressed my gratitude to President Obama once again for clearly expressing today
the unwavering commitment of the U.S. for the defense of the Republic of
Korea. President Obama and I have agreed to maintain a strong deterrence
posture by enhancing our combined defense capabilities to include the
deployment of the THAAD system.
Next, the faithful implementation of U.N. Security Council
Resolution 2270 is vital to deterring North Korea’s advancement of its nuclear
and missile capabilities, and it is meaningful that our two countries have been
engaged in close cooperation in this regard. The United States and Korea
have agreed to faithfully implement U.N. Security Council resolutions, and
further strengthen our efforts to seal the loopholes and sanctions
implementation even more tightly. Taking into consideration the
importance of China’s role in effective implementation of sanctions and the
resolution process of the North Korean nuclear issue, our two countries have
agreed to continue to communicate with China through various channels.
Regarding the human rights situation of North Korean
people, I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts made by many in
the United States, both in and out of government. And I plan to further
strengthen cooperation with the United States and the international community
on the basis of our North Korean Human Rights Act, which entered into force on
September 4th. The improvement of the human rights situation for North
Korean people will be a critical stepping stone for our path toward
unification, and unification will provide opportunities for North Korean people
to be treated equally.
Lastly, in order for the Korea-U.S. alliance to contribute
to a greater peace and broader prosperity, the President and I have agreed to
not only expand cooperation in new frontiers such as global health, climate
change and space, but also expand our roles in areas such as refugees,
peacekeeping operations and development cooperation. I find it meaningful
that through our discussions today, I was able to confirm yet once again that
the foundations of our bilateral relationship are rock-solid.
I once again express my respect for President Obama, for
the vision and leadership that he has shown for our alliance.
END
5:08 P.M. IC
Sources: Yahoo, Youtube, White House, UN, WSJ Live, Arirang News, CNN,Wikipedia catch4all.com,
October 2nd, 2016,
Location Decision of THAAD at Lotte Skyhill Country Club in Seongju.
Arirang New, Sep Kim Hyen Bin reports that Defense Minister Han Min-koo told lawmakers Friday that the THAAD battery will be stationed at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club in the northern part of Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.
The decision was made after a survey of two other possible candidate locations.
The golf course lies 296 kilometers southeast of Seoul and is around 680 meters above sea level.
The location is far from residential areas, in response to Seongju residents' concerns about the potential health problems posed by THAAD's radar system.
When the official announcement is made,... the deployment is still likely to face opposition from residents of the nearby town of Gimcheon who had threatened to protest if the golf course were selected.
Another barrier the defense ministry faces is cost.
The golf course is valued at over 90 million U.S. dollars, and the government will have to gain parliamentary approval for such a large budget outlay.
THAAD is expected to be deployed to South Korea by the end of next year... to better protect against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.
North Korea Standardized Terrifying Nuclear warhead using with Ballistic Missile
The DPRK's tested
warheads that could fit on 'ballistic rockets' - North Korean media. North
Korea claimed it had tested a “standardized” nuclear weapon to be mounted on
ballistic rockets, during an announcement on Korean Central Television (KCTV)
on Friday.
Meanwhile North Korea Military making their military show off however, South Korea President Park will be ready with no time which U.S and UN will support back on in any situation in any time. South Korea All parties are working together even include THAAD launching in South Korea which North Korea ignors whatever regulations to apply for around the global evironmental issues and rules although nuclear has been destroying the earth whenever test is going in the small land what they have, the detonations effecting neighbors and all around like mudslide, earth quake, radiation to the generation to the generalion for defected human birth may be the case problem. The first Nuclear using in Hiroshima NUCLEAR automing bumb is a classic case to see as an example. DANGEROUS TO COPYING NUCLEAR WARHEAD WHAT USA DID IN DANGER CASE TO SAVE PEACE AROUND THE WORLD.EVEN LARGER LAND USA SEEKING HEALTH AND GREENENVIRONMENT WITHOUT ABUSING.
USA already invented using WATER and CAN BE USING AS AIR SUPPLY SEE BELOW.
South Korea's Defense Ministry released a tunnel map from captured footage by the North's official Korean Central Television. The Defense Ministry analyzed the map, which shows the tunnel on the western side of the nuclear test site in Punggye-ri, where they think the second test was carried out.
The tunnel is a one-kilometer (0.6-mile), one-way path, winding inwards and leading to the test pit.
There are 10 gates in the path that are supposed to close, including the entrance, in order to block the hazardous radioactivity from the atomic test and absorb impact from the explosion. There are also three traps to collect debris.
The pit at the end of the path is ground zero for the test. The 10 gates could possibly be made of strong steel or concrete to prevent radioactive emissions.
SOUTH KOREA WORKING TOGETHER ALL PARTIES TO KEEP HOMELAND SAFE AND PEACE
Sources: Yahoo, Youtube, White House, UN, WSJ Live, Arirang News, AFP, CNN, Bloonberg, Google.Wikipedia, and Wikipedia catch4all.com,
September 14th, 2016,
The 5th and The Biggest Nuclear Test in North Korea After Nuclear Test on September 5, 2016
Caused Detonation, Earthquake 5.3 on the EARTH
President Barack Obama vows long term US engagement with Asia in a Historic Speech in Laos.
He pledged enduring cooperation between the US and Asia in the speech in Laos.
He also warned North Korea's government that its weapons tests would lead to increased isolation..
Statement by the President on North Korea's Nuclear Test
For Immediate Release
September 09, 2016
The United States condemns North Korea's September 9 nuclear test in the strongest possible terms as a grave threat to regional security and to international peace and stability. North Korea stands out as the only country to have tested nuclear weapons this century. Today's test, North Korea's second this year, follows an unprecedented campaign of ballistic missile launches, which North Korea claims are intended to serve as delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons targeting the United States and our allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan. As Commander in Chief, I have a responsibility to safeguard the American people and ensure that the United States is leading the international community in responding to this threat and North Korea's other provocations with commensurate resolve and condemnation.
To be clear, the United States does not, and never will, accept North Korea as a nuclear state. Far from achieving its stated national security and economic development goals, North Korea's provocative and destabilizing actions have instead served to isolate and impoverish its people through its relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities. Today's nuclear test, a flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, makes clear North Korea's disregard for international norms and standards for behavior and demonstrates it has no interest in being a responsible member of the international community.
Last night I returned from the G-20 and East Asia Summit meetings in Asia, where my counterparts and I were united in our call for North Korea to return to the path of denuclearization. Upon hearing the news of the test, I had the opportunity to consult separately via phone with Republic of Korea (ROK) President Park Geun-Hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. We agreed to work with the UN Security Council, our other Six-Party partners, and the international community to vigorously implement existing measures imposed in previous resolutions, and to take additional significant steps, including new sanctions, to demonstrate to North Korea that there are consequences to its unlawful and dangerous actions. I restated to President Park and Prime Minister Abe the unshakable U.S. commitment to take necessary steps to defend our allies in the region, including through our deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to the ROK, and the commitment to provide extended deterrence, guaranteed by the full spectrum of U.S. defense capabilities.
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President Obama warned North Korea's government that its weapons tests would lead to increased isolation during Laos visit while his speech. President Barack Obama vows long term US engagement with Asia in a Historic Speech in Laos. He pledged enduring cooperation between the US and Asia in the speech in Laos.
President Obama: POTUS Nuclear Security Summit Press Conference on April 2016
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Secretary of General Ban Ki-Moon condemming North Korea's Nuclear tests
On September 9th, 2016: Secretary of State, Ban, Kim Moon urged DPRK to refrain from further nuclear testing, and to join the 183 States Parties who have signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
“I sincerely hope that this will serve as the final wake-up call to the international community to outlaw all nuclear testing by bringing the CTBT into force,” he said.
10 September 2016 – The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear test on 9 September and said it is a clear violation of repeated calls on the country to halt such activity.
In a press statement issued late yesterday evening, after the Council held urgent consultations on the situation, the 15-member body underlined that the test is a clear violation and "in flagrant disregard" of Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013) and 2270 (2016), as well as of the non-proliferation regime.
“Therefore a clear threat to international peace and security continues to exist,” the statement said.
Furthermore, members the Council also recalled that they had previously expressed their determination to take further significant measures in the event of another DPRK nuclear test.
UN report:
31 August 2016 – The United Nations today spoke up for an early entry into force a global treaty that bans nuclear explosions on the Earth’s surface, in the atmosphere, underwater and underground, with a senior official describing the treaty as a “low-hanging fruit.”
“I urge Member States to do everything possible to facilitate a breakthrough,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a General Assembly meeting to mark the International Day against Nuclear Tests in a message read on his behalf by the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Kim Won-soo.
“We welcome any and all efforts to bring about a complete testing ban,” said Mr. Ban in the message.
To date, 183 countries have signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and 164 have ratified it. For the treaty to enter into force, ratification is required from the so-called Annex 2 States. Of these, China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States, have yet to ratify it.
In the message, the Secretary-General urged immediate action by the eight remaining Annex II countries.
“Any one of them can and should be the first to ratify,” he said. “That will encourage others to follow suit and generate a cascade of benefits for the broader disarmament and non-proliferation agenda.”
According to Youtube, DPRK news , the North Korea tested the 5th Nuclear test on September 5, 2016 which the North Korea still convincing that they had right to do the nuclear test.
September 6th, 2016: Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano also spoke out against the test, calling it a “deeply troubling and regrettable act.”
“This is in clear violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions and in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community,” said Mr. Amano in a statement issued by IAEA.
Recalling Security Council’s calls on DPRK to not conduct nuclear tests and to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, he urged the country “to fully implement all relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA.”
However, CNN, Yahoo news, Arirang News, Bloonberg, The test was conducted and confirmed 9 September 2016 Morning, which is the 68th anniversary of the founding of North Korea.
The media report, USGS shows that The government of North Korea conducted a nuclear detonation on September 9, 2016 at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, approximately 50 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Kilju City in Kilju County.
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Kilchu is a county in North Hamgyong province, North Korea. The county seat is Kilju Town.The area around Kilju was part of the ancient Goguryeo kingdom, and was long inhabited by various Jurchen tribes. In 1107 it was annexed by Goryeo, who gave it its current name (meaning "province of good fortune"). Kilju was then placed into North Hamgyong, where it remains to this day. During the Japanese occupation, the county was used for manufacturing telecommunications equipment and electric insulation. The average annual temperature is 7.5 °C (-7.6 °C in January and 22.2 °C in August).
According to News Inside: by Arirang News, dated On September 9th, 2016:President Park Geun-hye stated that "In order for Pyongyang to take the decision to abandon its nuclear program, it is important to give it a strong unified message." which was said at the Eastern Economic Forum on September 3rd, 2016 which is critical and devastrated around The World leaders and shares joint commitment against North Korea's nuclear and misscle program.
We are Not sure, if North Korea is even afraid of China's leadership that China even joined UN in condemming North Korea ballistic missile tests and China also accepted UN Security Council press statement on North Korea.
North Korea's previous nuclear test was conducted 8 months earlier in January 2016 and drew sharp international condemnations. Despite calls from China and Russia to return to the six-party talks, North Korea maintained its nuclear and missile ambitions:
On 22 June 2016, North Korea successfully launched its land-based medium-range missile Hwasong-10 to an altitude of 1,413.7 kilometres (878.4 mi) and a range of 400 kilometres (250 mi). The missile test demonstrates that the missile's range could be as far as about 3500 km.
Even though some experts are skeptical about whether Hwasong-10 has the capability to deliver the warhead to the US Guam military base at the configuration used in this test, they agreed that Guam is in the range if the weight of the warhead can be reduced from 650 kg to less than 500 kg.
On 24 August 2016, North Korea successfully launched its submarine-launched ballistic missile Pukkuksong-1 into Japan's Air Defense Identification Zone with a 500 kilometres (310 mi) range and similar altitude. Using a more reliable cold launch technology and solid-fuel rocket, North Korea is developing its technology towards having a second-strike deterrence. The test was the first time North Korea was able to develop a solid fuel rocket. It had previously been assumed that North Korea was only able to develop liquid fuel missile, as evidenced of Rodong-1.
The United States and South Korean biannual joint military exercise—Foal Eagle in February until April and Ulchi-Freedom Guardian in August until September—concluded on 2 September 2016. North Korea regularly raised strong objections to the drills because it interprets the drills as "hostile forces are preparing for an invasion into North Korea".
On 5 September 2016, North Korea fired three consecutive Rodong-1 missiles with high accuracy. This marked the Rodong-1 as a credible and matured missile suitable for operational deployment since its first successful launch in 1993. The United Nations Council condemned North Korea's missile launches, to which North Korea has vowed for 'new measures' as a response.
The test was conducted on 9 September 2016, which is the 68th anniversary of the founding of North Korea.
On September 9th, 2016 9 September 2016 – Strongly condemning another underground nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call on the leadership of the country to reverse its course and commit to a path of denuclearization.
“This is yet another brazen breach of the resolutions of the Security Council,” underlined the Secretary-General, in his remarks to the press at the UN Headquarters today.
Sources: Yahoo, Youtube, White House, UN, WSJ Live, Arirang News, AFP, CNN, Bloonberg, Google.Wikipedia, and Wikipedia catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, 9-6-2016 Rev. September 11th, 2016,
Republic of Korea and the United States Make Alliance Decision to Deploy THAAD to Korea
Press Operations
According to DOD News Release No: NR-254-16 July 7, 2016
North Korea's nuclear test and multiple ballistic missile tests, including the recent intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launches, highlight the grave threat that North Korea poses to the security and stability of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the entire Asia-Pacific region.
In response to the evolving threat posed by North Korea, the United States and the ROK have been conducting formal consultations regarding the feasibility of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery operated by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) since early February, as a measure to improve the missile defense posture of the ROK-U.S. alliance.
Based on these consultations, the ROK and the United States made an alliance decision to deploy THAAD to USFK as a defensive measure to ensure the security of the ROK and its people, and to protect alliance military forces from North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile threats.
Through the past months of review, the ROK-U.S. Joint Working Group confirmed the military effectiveness of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula and is in the final stage of preparing its recommendation for both the ROK minister of national defense and the U.S. secretary of defense regarding the optimal site in the Republic of Korea for the system's effectiveness and for environmental, health, and safety requirements.
The ROK and the United States are working closely to ensure the swift deployment of THAAD and will develop specific operational procedures.
When the THAAD system is deployed to the Korean Peninsula, it will be focused solely on North Korean nuclear and missile threats and would not be directed towards any third party nations. The THAAD deployment will contribute to a layered missile defense that will enhance the alliance's existing missile defense capabilities against North Korean missile threats.
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S. Korea, U.S. confirm THAAD deployment to Korean peninsula
Arirang News July 6th, 2016: South Korea and the United States have confirmed that the U.S. missile defense system known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD WILL be deployed to the Korean Peninsula.
The decision follows months of negotiations between the two allies.
THAAD is designed to take down incoming North Korean missil which is to protect South Korea citizens and U.S. Forces Korea from North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, the two allies have decided to deploy THAAD to the Korean Peninsula."
The deputy minister added that the goal is to deploy THAAD to the Korean peninsula before the end of 2017.
A joint working group has been working on that since February.
Now that the decision to bring THAAD here has been finalized,... the group will focus all of its attention on finding a suitable location.
Here's U.S. Army commander Thomas Vandal on that:
"This decision is an important milestone but there is a lot of work to do. We will endeavor to identify a suitable site in the Republic of Korea that offers the greatest military effectiveness for THAAD and meets environmental health and safety standards."
South Korea's defense ministry says they are in the final stages of making the decision, and will make an announcement within a couple of weeks at the latest.
Experts have suggested either Chilgok in Gyeongsangbuk-do province, as it could cover U.S. bases in Daegu and most of the South Korean peninsula,... or Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi-do province..
Sources: Yahoo, Youtube, Arirang News, Google.Wikipedia, and DOD catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, July 11,-2016 Rev. Nov. 28, 2016,
Nuclear Summit on North Korea NUC Crisis Washington DC, March 31st, 2016: U.S. ROK, Japan and China
The fourth summit was held in Washington, D.C. on March 31-April 1, 2016,
The 2016 Nuclear Security Summit was a summit held in Washington, D.C., United States on
March 31 and April 1, 2016. It was the fourth edition of the conference, succeeding the 2014
Nuclear Security Summit at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in D.C. which had 58 representatives
The first summit was held in Washington, D.C., United States, on April 12–13, 2010. The second
summit was held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2012. The third summit was held in The Hague,
Netherlands, on March 24–25, 2014.
President Obama had special meeting in regards of North Korea Nuclear
Crisis with South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and later had meeting with Chinese President, Xi Jinping.
Leaders of more than 50 nations gathered in Washington, D.C., for the fourth summit.
Leaders include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, British Prime Minister David Cameron,
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President François Hollande, Italian Prime
Minister Matteo Renzi, Argentine President Mauricio Macri, Mexican President Enrique Peña
Nieto, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Japanese
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
Russia informed Washington in mid October it will not attend the summit. President Obama hosted President Xi Jinping of the
People’s Republic of China for a bilateral meeting on the margins of the Nuclear Security
Summit on March 31, 2016.
Accoriding to Wochit News, WSJ Live, and Fox News, dated March 31, 2016:
The annual Nuclear Security Summit was given on Thursday in Washington which The increasingly heated provocations from North Korea emerged as a centerpiece of the nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC.
President Obama is hosting a series of meetings with the leaders of several Asian nations to talk about efforts to prevent North Korea from becoming a bigger nuclear threat. The summit is aimed at reducing the world's nuclear weapons. Vladimir Putin abstained from the summit saying he doesn't want to be part of any talks led by the United States. President Obama said their two countries remain committed to completing an agreement to continue lowering their Cold War-era nuclear arsenals. The US and Russian missiles make up about 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Chinese President XI Jinping and U.S. President Barack Obama, pledged increased cooperation on North Korea.
WJS Live reported on April 1st that President Obama addressed the threat of terrorism and global nuclear proliferation at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington D.C. On Friday, noting the progress achieved since the last summit six years ago.
According to Yahoo news, dated April 1, 2016:
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea fired a short-range missile into the sea and tried to jam GPS navigation signals in South Korea on Friday, Seoul officials said, hours after U.S., South Korean and Japanese leaders pledged to work closer together to prevent North Korea from advancing its nuclear and missile programs.
Officials said the attempt to jam GPS signals, which began Thursday, did not cause any major disruptions of South Korean military, aviation and sea transport and telecommunication systems. However, more than 130 fishing boats reported problems with their navigation systems and some were forced to return to their ports, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said.
South Korea's Defense Ministry called the jamming attempt a provocation that threatened public safety and military operations in the South. A ministry statement warned North Korea to immediately stop the jamming efforts or face unspecified consequences.
South Korea has blamed North Korea for several previous jamming attempts. This week's jamming signals are the first since 2012, according to South Korea's Science Ministry. North Korean state media had no immediate comment.
North Korea also fired a surface-to-air missile off its east coast on Friday, three days after it launched a projectile that hit land in its northeast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said without elaborating.
North Korea has launched a number of short-range missiles and other projectiles since the start last month of annual South Korea-U.S. military drills it views as a rehearsal for an invasion. It also has repeated threats of nuclear strikes on Seoul and Washington and warned it will test a nuclear warhead and ballistic missiles capable of carrying it.
This year's drills, set to run until late this month, are the biggest ever and come after North Korea conducted a nuclear test and long-range rocket launch earlier this year.
In Washington, President Barack Obama met Thursday with the leaders of South Korea and Japan to discuss ways of countering North Korea's nuclear threat. Obama also met Chinese President Xi Jinping and both called for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. China also agreed to fully implement recent economic restrictions imposed by the U.N. Security Council against North Korea. The Asian leaders are in Washington for a two-day nuclear summit that opens Friday.
According to the White House Immediate Release, on Marh 16, 2016, Statement by the Press Secretary on the Executive Order Entitled "Blocking Property of the Government of North Korea and the Workers' Party of Korea, and Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to North Korea” which the President issued an executive order imposing robust new sanctions on North Korea. This E.O. is part of our response to North Korea’s January 6 nuclear test and February 7 launch using ballistic missile technology, and it enables U.S. implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2270 and the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016.
These actions are consistent with our longstanding commitment to apply sustained pressure on the North Korean regime. The U.S. and the global community will not tolerate North Korea’s illicit nuclear and ballistic missile activities, and we will continue to impose costs on North Korea until it comes into compliance with its international obligations.
BLOCKING PROPERTY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NORTH KOREA
AND THE WORKERS' PARTY OF KOREA, AND PROHIBITING CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO NORTH KOREA
For Immediate Release
March 16, 2016
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (22 U.S.C. 287c) (UNPA), the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-122), section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and in view of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2270 of March 2, 2016,
I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, find that the Government of North Korea's continuing pursuit of its nuclear and missile programs, as evidenced most recently by its February 7, 2016, launch using ballistic missile technology and its January 6, 2016, nuclear test in violation of its obligations pursuant to numerous UNSCRs and in contravention of its commitments under the September 19, 2005, Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks, increasingly imperils the United States and its allies. To address those actions, and to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 of June 26, 2008, as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps in subsequent Executive Orders, I hereby order:
Section 1. (a) All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person of the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.
(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order or pursuant to the export control authorities implemented by the Department of Commerce, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order.
Sec. 2. (a) All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State:
(i) to operate in any industry in the North Korean economy as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to zbe subject to this subsection, such as transportation, mining, energy, or financial services;
(ii) to have sold, supplied, transferred, or purchased, directly or indirectly, to or from North Korea or any person acting for or on behalf of the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea, metal, graphite, coal, or software, where any revenue or goods received may benefit the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea, including North Korea's nuclear or ballistic missile programs;
(iii) to have engaged in, facilitated, or been responsible for an abuse or violation of human rights by the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea or any person acting for or on behalf of either such entity;
(iv) to have engaged in, facilitated, or been responsible for the exportation of workers from North Korea, including exportation to generate revenue for the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea;
(v) to have engaged in significant activities undermining cybersecurity through the use of computer networks or systems against targets outside of North Korea on behalf of the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea;
(vi) to have engaged in, facilitated, or been responsible for censorship by the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea;
(vii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;
(viii) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or
(ix) to have attempted to engage in any of the activities described in subsections (a)(i)-(viii) of this section.
(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order. The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section are in addition to export control authorities implemented by the Department of Commerce.
Sec. 3. (a) The following are prohibited:
(i) the exportation or reexportation, direct or indirect, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, services, or technology to North Korea;
(ii) new investment in North Korea by a United States person, wherever located; and
(iii) any approval, financing, facilitation, or guarantee by a United States person, wherever located, of a transaction by a foreign person where the transaction by that foreign person would be prohibited by this section if performed by a United States person or within the United States.
(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order or pursuant to the export control authorities implemented by the Department of Commerce, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order.
Sec. 4. I hereby find that the unrestricted immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens determined to meet one or more of the criteria in subsection 2(a) of this order would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of such persons. Such persons shall be treated as persons covered by section 1 of Proclamation 8693 of July 24, 2011 (Suspension of Entry of Aliens Subject to United Nations Security Council Travel Bans and International Emergency Economic Powers Act Sanctions).
Sec. 5. I hereby determine that the making of donations of the type of articles specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to section 1 or 2 of this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by sections 1 and 2 of this order.
Sec. 6. The prohibitions in sections 1 and 2 of this order include but are not limited to:
(a) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; and
(b) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
Sec. 7. (a) Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited
Sec. 8. Nothing in this order shall prohibit transactions for the conduct of the official business of the Federal Government or the United Nations (including its specialized agencies, programmes, funds, and related organizations) by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof.
Sec. 9. For the purposes of this order
(a) the term "person" means an individual or entity;
(b) the term "entity" means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization;
(c) the term "United States person" means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States; and
(d) the term "Government of North Korea" means the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and its agencies, instrumentalities, and controlled entities.
Sec. 10. For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render those measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1 or 2 of this order.
Sec. 11. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA and the UNPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order.
Sec. 12. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Sec. 13. This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on March 16, 2016.
The Fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) made important progress toward the broader vision I outlined in Prague.
First, we’re taking concrete steps toward a world without nuclear weapons. The United States and Russia remain on track to meet our New START Treaty obligations so that by 2018 the number of deployed American and Russian nuclear warheads will be at their lowest levels since the 1950s. Even as the United States maintains a safe, secure and effective nuclear arsenal to deter any adversary and ensure the security of our allies, I’ve reduced the number and role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy. I also have ruled out developing new nuclear warheads and narrowed the contingencies under which the United States would ever use or threaten to use nuclear weapons.
Second, we’re strengthening the global regime — including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty — that prevents the spread of nuclear weapons. We’ve succeeded in uniting the international community against the spread of nuclear weapons, notably in Iran. A nuclear-armed Iran would have constituted an unacceptable threat to our national security and that of our allies and partners. It could have triggered a nuclear arms race in the Middle East and begun to unravel the global nonproliferation regime.
After Iran initially rejected a diplomatic solution, the United States mobilized the international community to impose sanctions on Iran, demonstrating that nations that fail to meet their nuclear obligations will face consequences. After intense negotiations, Iran agreed to a nuclear deal that closes every single one of its paths to a nuclear weapon, and Iran is now being subjected to the most comprehensive inspection regimen ever negotiated to monitor a nuclear program. In other words, under this deal, the world has prevented yet another nation from getting a nuclear bomb. And we’ll remain vigilant to ensure that Iran fulfills its commitments.
Third, we’re pursuing a new framework for civil nuclear cooperation so countries that meet their responsibilities can have access to peaceful nuclear energy. The international fuel bank that I called for seven years ago is now being built in Kazakhstan. With it, countries will be able to realize the energy they seek without enriching uranium, which could be at risk of diversion or theft.
Sources: CCTV, FOX, KRT, Getty Image, WJS Live, Yahoo, Youtube, Wochit News, NSS2016, wikipedia and White House Catch4all.com, Sandra Englund , April 1st and updated April 2nd, 2016 Other: l:http://catch4all.com/positive/2009/April/NorthKoreaNuke/ndra
South Korea - U.S Biggest Millitary Drill Ever
North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles on March 18, 2016.
According to CNN, Fox and Yahoo, News dated March 18th, 2016:
CNN)North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles off the west coast of the Korean peninsula, the South Korean military and U.S. defense officials said Friday.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said that one ballistic missile flew a distance of 800 kilometers overland toward the sea off the country's east coast, while a second projectile, assumed to be a missile, was detected by radar but disappeared at an altitude of about 17 kilometers.
The military said it was closely tracking and monitoring the situation and maintaining a readiness posture for any North Korean provocation.
U.S. official confirmed the launch, with a U.S. defense official telling CNN that it tracked two ballistic missiles.
The launch came around 5:55 a.m. local time, near Sukchon county, South Pyongan province, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
It comes one week after North Korea fired two missiles from North Hwanghae province, south of Pyongyang, toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned North Korea's actions and called on the country "to exercise self-restraint." He said Japan would take "precautionary measures," including surveillance.
According to Pohang, South Korea (CNN) dated March 12, 2016 — The carefully choreographed drill begins a much larger, eight-week series of annual joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea.
They take place against a backdrop of growing tension and missile tests just across the Demilitarized Zone in North Korea.
South Korea's defense ministry spokesman is calling the maneuvers "the largest scale ever," involving 300,000 South Korean troops and at least 17,000 from the U.S.
Small detachments of forces from Australia and New Zealand also participated in Saturday's operations.
According to nbc news, dated March 7th, 2016:
North Korea Threatens U.S. with nuclear strike over war games.
"North Korea issued another threat...warning of an indiscriminate 'pre-emptive nuclear strike of justice' on Washington and Seoul, this time in reaction to the start of huge U.S.-South Korean military drills."
According to the guardian.com, Russia warns north Korea over threats of nuclear strike:
"Russia has warned North Korea that threats to deliver 'preventive nuclear strikes' could create a legal basis for the use of military force against the country,...".
The following icons showing the biggest military drill ever which is not all the drill were included in this view although you can see how big this Military Drill was and serious !
Transformed by catch4all.com, Sandra Englund
Music from John Tesh Game
Sources:Yahoo, Wikipedia, Youtube,,Arirang News, YTN, WSJ live, USA Today, CNN
North Korea Doesn't Want give up Nuclear Weapon instead, Want to use whenever HE wants to USE
March 4th, 2016, Friday: According to Yahoo News, and WSJ Live News, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country's nuclear weapons should be available for use at any time, according to state media. North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles into the sea on March 4th, Thursday, 2016 after U.N. Tough Sanction Announced on March 2nd, 2016. Arirang News also preported that Kim Jong-un went a step further... issuing a stark order to the country′s military: be prepared to fire nukes ′at any time′.
Meanwhile, S.Korean president reiterates call for DPRK's nuclear renunciation
SEOUL, March 4 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Friday reiterated her call for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear renunciation, saying Pyongyang should return to a path to real change.
President Park said during a commission ceremony for military officers that unless the DPRK is made to stop its nuclear program, it will continue to advance its nuclear capability and bring an irreversible disaster to the future of the Korean peninsula.
The president urged Pyongyang to come to a path to real change by dropping a wrong delusion that its nuclear weapons guarantee its regime survival, saying the DPRK should be made to realize that its regime cannot survive unless the country abandons its nuclear program.
Her comments came after new tougher-than-ever sanctions resolution was adopted at the UN Security Council against the DPRK for its latest nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.
Hours after the adoption, the DPRK fired off six short-range projectiles into eastern waters in an apparent show of anger over the resolution, which South Korea described as the toughest and most effective non-military measures in seven decades of UN history.
U.NApprovedToughest Sanctions on North Korea in 20 years
U.N. Secretary of General Ban-ki Moon Welcomes
UN:2 March 2016 – The United Nations Security Council today unanimously adopted a resolution that imposes new sanctions and tightens some of its existing measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), due to the country's ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile-related activities that “threaten international peace and security.”
“Today's unanimous action by the Security Council has sent a clear message that the DPRK must return to full compliance with its international obligations,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement issued by his spokesperson, in which the UN chief urged the East Asian country to abide by the resolution and called upon all UN Member States to ensure its implementation.
“This firm response by the Security Council should put an end to the cycle of provocation and lead to the resumption of dialogue in accordance with the unified view of the international community,” he added.
The Secretary-General also reiterated the critical role of international assistance in safeguarding the lives of millions in the country, while renewing his call on the DPRK to do more for the lives of its people. “Genuine improvement in human rights is a necessary basis for long-term security and stability,” he stressed.
In the resolution, which was sponsored by the United States, the 15-member body condemned “in the strongest terms” the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 6 January, noting that it was “in violation and flagrant disregard” of the Council's prior resolutions. It further condemned the country's launch of 7 February, which used ballistic missile technology and was a “serious violation.”
As a result of such incidents, the new measure expands sanctions against the DPRK by imposing a ban on all exports including coal, iron, iron ore, gold, titanium ore, vanadium ore and rare earth metals, and banning the supply of all types of aviation fuel, including rocket fuel.
The new resolution also requires States to inspect all cargo to and from the DPRK, not just those suspected of containing prohibited items, as was previously the case. It also bans leasing or chartering of vessels or airplanes and providing crew services to the country, and registering vessels, while calling on States to de-register any DPRK owned or controlled vessels. Additionally, it decides that States shall ban any flights and deny entry into their ports of any vessel suspected of carrying prohibited items.
Regarding financial sanctions, the resolution broadens their scope by imposing an asset freeze on all funds and other economic resources owned or controlled by the DPRK government or by the Worker's Party of Korea, if found to be associated with its nuclear or ballistic missile programme or any other prohibited activities.
An additional 13 individuals are designated in the resolution as subject to the travel ban and asset freeze, including several representatives of the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation and the Tanchon Commercial Bank. It designates 12 new entities as subject to the asset freeze, including the Ministry of Atomic Energy and the Reconnaissance Energy Bureau, described as the DPRK's premiere intelligence organization.
The text also tightens existing financial restrictions by banning the opening and operation of any offices of DPRK banks abroad, as well as the opening of new offices of foreign financial institutions in the DPRK under all circumstances, unless approved by the Sanctions Committee in advance.
Turning to the arms embargo, which has been in effect since 2006, the resolution broadens its scope to include small arms and light weapons, which had previously been excluded. It includes a provision that imposes a ban on the transfer of any item, except food and medicine, if a State has reason to believe that it can contribute to the development and capabilities of the DPRK's armed forces.
Finally, the 19-page text underlines several times that measures imposed by it are not intended to have negative effects on the country's citizens. “Measures imposed […] and this resolution are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of the DPRK or to affect negatively those activities, including economic activities and cooperation.”
UN to carry United Nations Millennium Declaration Article 9 resolve therefore:
To minimize the adverse effects of United Nations economic sanctions on innocent populations, to subject such sanctions regimes to regular reviews and to eliminate the adverse effects of sanctions on third parties.
The 1st North Korea's nuclear test was on 9 October 2006 01:35:27 KST (9 hrs) which was underground 1,340 m (4,400 ft) - 310 m (1,020 ft) earthquake Magnitude 4.3 - NORTH KOREA Possibly a fizzle. East Tunnel approximately 1 km NE from the entrance.
The 2nd North Korea's nuclear test was on 25 May 2009 00:54:43 KST (9 hrs) at Punggye-ri Test Site, North Korea 41.28505°N 129.1084°E 1,340 m (4,400 ft) - 490 m (1,610 ft) was Underground.
The 3rd North Korea's nuclear test was on 12 February 2013 02:57:51 KST (9 hrs) at Punggye-ri Test Site, North Korea 41.26809°N 129.08076°E 1,340 m (4,400 ft) - 1,000 m (3,300 ft) was Underground Likely the test took place in the West Tunnel. South tunnel damaged by flooding in 2012.
The 4th North Korea's nuclear test was on 6 January 2016 10:00:02 KST (8:30 hrs) at Punggye-ri Test Site, North Korea 41.30900°N 129.03399°E was Underground 7 - 9 kt which was Claimed to be a hydrogen bomb announced via North Korea broadcasting.
North Korea nuclear H-bomb test claims provoke skepticism and condemnation – as it happened which it occurred Artificial earthquake was detected near known nuclear testing site in North Korea on Wednesday, claimed via television said that the country had successfully tested a “miniaturized hydrogen bomb” underground on Wednesday on January 6th, 2016, describing it as an “act of self-defense” against the US. North Korean claims about the size and type of bomb have not been independently clearly verified.
Sources:U.N, The Guidian, Yahoo, Wikipedia, Youtube, White House, Reuters, WSJLive, GPO, AP, USA Today, and New China TV.
U.S., China Close Loophole in North Korea Sanctions
The U.S. and China responded to North Korea's latest nuclear and missile tests with tougher sanctions. Photo: Associated Press
Last Jan 6, 2016 North Korea’s state-owned broadcaster announced the testing of a hydrogen bomb on Wednesday morning. The broadcast from Pyongyang includes images of former North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, as well as newsreel footage of scientists working at a nuclear facility. Updates: regime says it has successfully detonated hydrogen bomb.
In responded on these provokative action The United States has introduced a draft UN security council resolution which have significantly increased pressure on North Korea in response to the Asian nation’s latest nuclear test and missile launch.
The US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said the draft, which for the first time would subject cargo ships leaving and entering North Korea to mandatory inspections, goes further than previous sanctions and is meant to ensure North Korea will be held accountable for its actions.
“It is a major upgrade and there will be, provided it goes forward, pressure on more points, tougher, more comprehensive, more sectors. It’s breaking new ground in a whole host of ways,” Power said, before heading into a closed-door meeting where the US planned to circulate the draft to all 15 council members.
The draft is the result of an agreement between the US and China – North Korea’s main ally. Beijing’s involvement signals a policy shift with regard to its often erratic neighbour. The council is expected to vote on it over the weekend.
Power said the sanctions would prohibit the sale of small arms and other conventional weapons to North Korea, closing a loophole in earlier resolutions.
They would limit and in some cases ban exports of coal, iron, gold, and titanium and rare earth minerals from North Korea and would prohibit countries from supplying aviation fuel, including rocket fuel, to the country.
The resolution imposes financial sanctions targeting North Korean banks and assets and bans all dual-use nuclear and missile-related items.
North Korea nuclear H-bomb test claims provoke skepticism and condemnation – as it happened which it occurred Artificial earthquake was detected near known nuclear testing site in North Korea on Wednesday, An announcement on North Korean television said the country had successfully tested a “miniaturized hydrogen bomb” underground on Wednesday morning, January 6th, 2016, describing it as an “act of self-defense” against the US. North Korean claims about the size and type of bomb have not been independently verified.
North Korea has conducted its fourth nuclear test, the country’s state media has announced, in a move that could take it a step closer to developing nuclear warheads capable of striking the US mainland.
Some experts, though, said initial evidence was pointing towards a test involving a uranium or plutonium device and not, as Pyongyang has claimed, a far more powerful hydrogen bomb.
According to The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release, February 18, 2016
H.R. 757, the "North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act," which strengthens and expands statutory sanctions on North Korea. For detailed, you may click to see.
Sources: The Guidian,, Yahoo, Wikipedia, Youtube, White House,, Reuters, WSJLive, GPO and AP.
According to DOD, Terri Moon CronkDoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, February 12, 2016 — The Defense Department sent Congress its 2015 report on North Korea’s military power today, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters.
The report, “Military and Security Developments Involving the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” was originally mandated in 2012 to inform Congress and the public of DoD’s analytical assessment of North Korea’s activities based on continuous U.S. monitoring, according to DoD officials. The latest report does not contain North Korea’s underground nuclear bomb detonation on Jan. 6, or missile launch on Feb. 7, but Davis confirmed the detonation.
Addressing the Feb. 7 launch, Davis told reporters that North Korea’s use of “ballistic-missile technology, following so closely on the heels of its January nuclear test, is another destabilizing and provocative action and flagrant violation of multiple U.N. security council resolutions.”
“North Korea has veiled [the Feb. 7 launch] as a peaceful space launch, but we all recognize that this very technology is used to construct the [intercontinental-ballistic missiles] they aspire to possess and [use] to hold our homeland at risk,” Davis said.
North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons program further “undermines peace and security in the broader region [and] represents serious threats to our interests, including the security of some of our closest allies,” he noted.
“They continue to prioritize missile and nuclear weapons programs over the well-being of their own people,” the spokesman said, “and we remain fully committed to our allies in the region and will take all necessary steps to defend ourselves and our allies and respond to North Korean provocations.”
The North Koreans’ December 2012 missile launch bears some resemblance to the launch on Feb. 7, he said.
“The December 2012 [Taepodong-2 missile] launch was fired on a southern trajectory,” Davis said, adding that the Feb. 7 launch also was a Taepodong-2 intercontinental-ballistic missile fired on a southern trajectory.
“A lot has been made of the satellite they have put into orbit and whether it’s in a stable orbit or tumbling,” he noted. “What matters is they have now done, on two different occasions, this demonstration of a three-stage rocket capability, which is capable of reaching space. That is the same technology that can be used to put a nuclear warhead on and to hold distant countries at risk.”
(Follow Terri Moon Cronk on Twitter: @MoonCronkDoD)
Statement by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice on the North Korean Missile Launch
North Korea's launch using ballistic missile technology, following so closely after its January 6 nuclear test, represents yet another destabilizing and provocative action and is a flagrant violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons programs represent serious threats to our interests--including the security of some of our closest allies--and undermine peace and security in the broader region.
We condemn today's launch and North Korea's determination to prioritize its missile and nuclear weapons programs over the well-being of its people, whose struggles only intensify with North Korea’s diversion of scarce resources to such destabilizing activities.
The United States is fully committed to the security of our allies in the region, and we will take all necessary steps to defend ourselves and our allies and respond to North Korean provocations. We call upon the international community to stand together and demonstrate to North Korea that its reckless actions must have serious consequences.
Royal Thai, Republic of
Korea and U.S. Marines helocasted from an MV-22B Osprey Feb. 10, 2016 for the
first time in a joint environment during exercise Cobra Gold 16 in
Thailand.Cobra Gold is an exercise that increases cooperation, interoperability
and collaboration among partner nations in order to achieve effective solutions
to common
North Korean media made
announcements that the regime had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. However third-party experts—as well as
officials and agencies in South Korea—doubted
North Korea's claims and contend that the device was more likely to have been
a fission bomb such as a boosted fission weapon. Such weapons use hydrogen fusion to
produce smaller, lighter warheads suitable for arming a delivery device such as
a missile, rather than to attain the destructive power of a true hydrogen bomb.
Kwangmyongsong-4 (Korean for Bright Star-4 or Lodestar-4) or KMS-4 is an earth observation satellite launched by North Korea on 7 February 2016.
The launch happened after North Korea conducted a nuclear test on 6 January and as the United Nations Security Council is deciding on sanctions to be placed on the country following the nuclear test. The launch was also timed to celebrate the 74th birthday of the late leader Kim Jong-il on February 16. Although there is U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System Intercept Against Multiple which possible to protect danger situation Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is a United States Army anti-ballistic missile system designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach. The missile carries no warhead but relies on the kinetic energy of the impact to destroy the incoming missile. A kinetic energy hit minimizes the risk of exploding conventional warhead ballistic missiles, and nuclear tipped ballistic missiles won't explode upon a kinetic energy hit, although chemical or biological warheads may disintegrate or explode and pose a risk of contaminating the environment. THAAD was designed to hit Scuds and similar weapons.
The THAAD system is being designed, built, and integrated by Lockheed Martin Space Systems acting as prime contractor. Key subcontractors include Raytheon, Boeing, Aerojet, Rocketdyne, Honeywell, BAE Systems, Oshkosh Defense, MiltonCAT, and the Oliver Capital Consortium. One THAAD system costs US$800 million.
Although originally a U.S. Army program, THAAD has come under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency. The Navy has a similar program, the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, which now has a land component as well ("Aegis ashore"). THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but initial deployment took place May 2008.
On 29 June 2010, resulted successful: FTT-14: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of unitary target at lowest altitude to date. Afterward, exercised Simulation-Over-Live-Driver (SOLD) system to inject multiple simulated targets into the THAAD radar to test system's ability to engage a mass raid of enemy ballistic missiles.
5 October 2011 resulted successful: FTT-12: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of two targets with two interceptors.
24 October 2012 resulted successful: FTI-01 (Flight Test Integrated 01): test of the integration of THAAD with PAC-3 and Aegis against a raid of 5 missiles of different types. During this engagement THAAD successfully intercepted an Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) missile dropped from a C-17 north of Wake Island. This marked the first time THAAD had intercepted a Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM). Two AN/TPY-2 were used in the $180m test, with the forward-based radar feeding data into Aegis and Patriot systems as well as THAAD.
Not like olden days which is the most critical situation by attacking North Korea, but, fortunately it is now will be able to detecting with Guidance by Indium antimonide Imaging Infra-Red which is Seeker Head to protecting and destroys with speed Mach 8.24 or 2.8 km/s which may be coming from North Korea's Nuclear Weapons and it is in crisis now.
Meanwhile, WSJ Live reported that The latest international sanctions on North Korea, a response to recent nuclear and rocket tests, are meant to add to the pressure on the country to drop its weapons programs. But in Pyongyang, leader Kim Jong Un has called for launching more rockets.
Sources: DOD, Yahoo, Wikipedia, Youtube, White House,, Reuters, WSJLive
North, South Korea agree to defuse crisis after marathon talks: N. Korea issues threat after DMZ Artillery exchange fire across border
The shelling occurred ten days after South Korea resumed the loudspeaker broadcasting following the North's deadly landmine attack
Seoul (AFP) - North and South Korea reached agreement Tuesday, following marathon talks, on ending a tense military stand-off that had pushed the two rivals to the brink of armed conflict.
In a joint accord, the North "expressed regret" over recent mine blasts that maimed two South Korean soldiers, while the South agreed to switch off loudspeakers blasting propaganda messages across the border.
The speakers will be silenced at midday (0300 GMT) Tuesday, at which time the North will lift a "semi-war state" declared last week by leader Kim Jong-Un.
The two also agreed to work towards a resumption next month of reunions for families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, and to hold official talks in either Seoul or Pyongyang at a date to be decided.
The agreement, which appeared to cover the major areas of contention, came after days and nights of gruelling negotiations which began early Saturday evening in the border truce village of Panmunjom.
The talks had played out against a dangerous military stand-off, which included a rare artillery exchange over the border last week, and saw both sides ramping up the military rhetoric and flexing their weaponry.
Tensions continued to rise while the discussions were on, with South Korean and US jets flying simulated bombing runs, and North Korea reportedly deploying two thirds of its 70-vessel submarine fleet.
- 'New momentum' -
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "warmly welcomed" the accord which was also published in full by the North's official KCNA news agency.
South Korea's lead negotiator, National Security Adviser Kim Kwan-Jin, said the agreement would settle the current crisis and provide a "new momentum" for inter-Korean relations in the future.
Kim described North Korea's expression of regret for the mine blasts as "very meaningful" and said securing it had taken up most of the time in his negotiations with his North Korean counterpart Hwang Pyong-So -- a close confidant of leader Kim Jong-Un.
"We had to get a word of apology that has the North as the main agent," Kim said.
Pyongyang has repeatedly denied any responsibility for the mine blasts, and Tuesday's accord avoided any explicit acceptance of responsibility.
But analysts said it came far closer than they had expected.
- A 'clear' apology -
"Past inter-Korea agreements at a time like this have tended to be extremely ambiguous," said Jeung Young-Tae, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul.
"But in the world of diplomatic language, this is a clear apology, with the object of the regret -- the landmine blasts that maimed the soldiers -- clearly stated," Jeung said.
Kim Kwan-Jin also noted that the South's commitment to ending the broadcasts was conditional on the absence of any "abnormal" events -- an apparent reference to future North Korean provocations.
"We had to insist on that because otherwise another provocation may take place, posing a threat to public safety and national security," Kim said
The agreement will be welcomed by neighbouring countries like China and Japan, which had viewed the stand-off on the Korean peninsula with growing concern and urged both sides to show calm and restraint.
It will also be viewed with some relief by the United States, which has nearly 30,000 US troops permanently stationed in South Korea and had repeatedly reiterated its commitment to the defence of its key Asian ally.
"As with all such agreements, the devil is in the details," said Yang Moo-Jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.
"But it clearly represents a turnaround for the current crisis and shifts the pendulum towards dialogue," Yang said.
Technically, the two Koreas have been at war for the past 65 years since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with a ceasefire that was never ratified by a formal peace treaty.O
Sources: Yahoo, Yon Hap News, wikipedia and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, August 25th, 2015
North Korea deployed over 70 submarines N. Korea issues threat after DMZ Artillery exchange fire across border
The shelling occurred ten days after South Korea resumed the loudspeaker broadcasting following the North's deadly landmine attack
On August 20, 2015, North Korea fired a shell on the city of Yeoncheon. South Korea launched several artillery rounds in response. Although there were no casualties, it caused the evacuation of an area of the west coast of South Korea and forced others to head for bunkers.
The shelling has caused both countries to adopt pre-war statuses and a talk has been held by high level officials in the Panmunjeom to relieve tensions on August 22 2015 and the talks carried over to the next day. Nonetheless while talks were going on, North Korea deployed over 70 submarines, which increased the tension once more on August 23 2015
The first round of the talks started shortly after a deadline set by North Korea for the South to dismantle loudspeakers broadcasting anti-North Korean propaganda at their border. North Korea had declared that its front-line troops were in full war readiness and prepared to go to battle if Seoul did not back down.
___
According to Yahoo, AP: By ERIC TALMADGE and FOSTER KLUG
August 23, 2015 3:29 AM
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — Senior officials from North and South Korea resumed a second round of talks on Sunday that temporarily pushed aside vows of imminent war on the peninsula.
South Korea's presidential office said the talks restarted in the border village of Panmunjom.
The delegates failed to reach an agreement in Saturday's marathon talks that stretched into the early hours of Sunday, and it was still unclear whether diplomacy would defuse what has become the most serious confrontation in years.
South Korea's military reported Sunday that it detected unusual troop and submarine movements in North Korea that indicated Pyongyang was strengthening its capacity for a possible strike.
About 70 percent of the North's 77 submarines had left their bases and were undetectable by the South Korean military as of Saturday, said an official from Seoul's Defense Ministry, who didn't want to be named because of office rules.
The official also said that the North had doubled the strength of its front-line artillery forces since the start of the high-level talks early Saturday evening.
The talks involve Kim Kwan-jin, presidential national security director, and Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo, from the South Korean side, and from the North, Hwang Pyong So, the top political officer for the Korean People's Army, and Kim Yang Gon, a senior official responsible for South Korean affairs.
Hwang is considered by outside analysts to be North Korea's second most important official after supreme leader Kim Jong Un.
The first round of the talks started shortly after a deadline set by North Korea for the South to dismantle loudspeakers broadcasting anti-North Korean propaganda at their border. North Korea had declared that its front-line troops were in full war readiness and prepared to go to battle if Seoul did not back down.
___
Klug reported from Seoul, South Korea. Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul contributed to this report.
Klug reported from Seoul, South Korea. Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul contributed to this report.
S. Korea limits S. Korean nationals entering Kaesong Industrial Complex and has been restricted through this complication.
President Park visits key military base south of Seoul and was checking up on readiness which was the Highest Alert - South Korea for Military Maintaining highest alert along inter-Korean boarder.
S. Korea have been questions requested for N. Korea's sincerity for dialogue.
According to Wall Street Journal Live and Arirang News and other news:
John Kirby, U.S. State Department Spokesman said on August 20th, 2015 that "The United States remains steadfast in its commitments to the defense and security of the peninsula, ... and we're going to continue to closely coordinate with the Republic of Korea."
According to Arirang News: Kim Yang-gon, Secretary of N. Korea's Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea "North Korea is willing to offer an exit to settle the current situation and improve relations. Although, Letter from S. Korea to N. Korea: "If North Korea has the willingness to resolve this matter, it should admit its responsibility and apologize for the latest provocations" by Hong Yong-pyo, S. Korean Unification Minister but, it was rejected by North Korea.
Sources: KBS, Yahoo, CNN, Yon Hap News, Arirang News, and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, August 21, 2015 Rev. August 24th, 2015
According to Arirang, dated August 20th, 2015:
North Korea has refused to admit or apologize for recent landmine explosions in the DMZ that severely injured two South Korean soldiers.
After an exchange of fire, North Korea threatens further "military action" against South Korea if Seoul doesn't shut off loudspeakers at the inter-Korean border.
President Park Geun-hye will travel China early next month to attend a ceremony highlighting the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. She′ll also hold summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
North Korea has warned that it will take further military action if South Korea continues to broadcast anti-Pyongyang material across the border.
Arirang reported that Pyongyang on Thursday said Seoul had 48 hours to power down the loudspeakers. The threat came a matter of hours after the North attempted to fire on one of the speakers. South Korea retaliated by firing artillery rounds back the other way. Arirang Kim Hyun-bin reported that It was 3:53 p.m. and 4:12 p.m. on Thursday when North Korea fired several artillery shells across the border targeting South Korea′s propaganda loudspeakers right along the military demarcation line.
Seoul’s defense ministry announced earlier Thursday that a shell firing was picked up on radar moving towards the South′s western front,... but that there were no reports of damage. An hour or so after the attack, the South Korean military responded with tens of 155mm artillery rounds at the origin of attack.
"Our military has up its security condition to the highest level and looking for any unusual movements from North Korea. We will strongly counter any future provocation from the North." The ministry said an evacuation order was issued for nearby areas, and more than two thousand residents were evacuated. Even the highest alert, Jindogae-1, was issued along some parts of the border.
North Korea′s general staff department warned that South Korea has 48 hours to stop broadcasting anti-Pyongyang messages or it will take strong military action.
In a separate letter, North Korea's ruling Workers′ Party secretary Kim Yang-Gon urged the head of South Korea′s National Security Office, Kim Kwan-jin, to halt all propaganda broadcasts, calling the messages a declaration of war.
The letter also said North Korea would make efforts to improve inter-Korean ties if the South shuts down the loudspeakers. But South Korea′s defense ministry says it has no plans to stop the broadcasts. North Korea has refused to admit or apologize for recent landmine explosions in the DMZ that severely injured two South Korean soldiers.
KBS August 20, 2015: The shelling occurred ten days after South Korea resumed the loudspeaker broadcasting following the North's deadly landmine attack.
North Korea fires several artillery shells toward S. Korea's Yeoncheon, Gyeong-gi Province twice on August 20th, 2015. 3:53 PM and 4:15 PM 14.5 mm entiaircraft.
North Korea on Thursday fired several artillery shells toward South Korea's Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province, twice at 3:53 and 4:12 p.m. A 14.5 millimeter anti-aircraft artillery shell was believed to be fired in the first shelling, followed by a 76.2 millimeter direct fire weapon used later. Where the shells landed were near the Army 28th Division where loudspeakers were installed and propaganda broadcasting conducted in the wake of North Korea's landmine explosions, which seriously injured South Korean soldiers.
The North Korean shells crossed over the Military Demarcation Line and fortunately fell in the mountains. No casualties or property damage has yet been reported.
Following the North's provocation, the South Korean military immediately used radar detectors to trace the trajectory of the shelling, and fired back in response. An emergency evacuation order was also issued for border town residents in Yeoncheon county and Ganghwa Island.
The Defense Ministry also issued the highest alert for all military units across the country. A military official said the North's shelling is presumably aimed at the South's loudspeaker equipment.
The shelling occurred ten days after South Korea resumed the loudspeaker broadcasting following the North's deadly landmine attack.
Yon hap news, August 21:
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- The United Nations Command (UNC) has proposed having working-level talks with North Korea to discuss escalating tension on the divided Korean Peninsula, sparked by the North's recent firing of artillery shells across the border, a military source said Friday.
The UNC sent a message to North Korea on Thursday, offering to hold dialogue with Pyongyang following the North's firing of several shells across the heavily fortified inter-Korean border, according to the source.
"The UNC has called for North Korea to refrain from worsening the situation on the peninsula as the North's firing of artillery shells is a serious violation of the armistice agreement," the source said. "It has proposed to have a working-level dialogue to prepare for general-level talks."
The North has not yet responded to the UNC's proposal, it added.
Meanwhile,(3rd LD) N. Korea says preparation for military action complete SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's front-line troops have completed their preparation for military action against South Korea, Pyongyang's state media said Friday, as the North's leader has declared a "quasi-state of war."
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the country's front-line military to have full combat readiness against South Korea at an emergency meeting of the central military commission of the Workers' Party, following the North's firing of artillery shells across the heavily fortified border.
"The Korean People's Army (KPA) front-line large combined units entered into a wartime state all at once, fully armed to launch surprise operations, and wound up their preparedness for action," the North's Korean Central News Agency said in an English-language dispatch.
More detail click to view.
President Park Geun-hye will travel China early next month to attend a ceremony highlighting the 70th anniversary of Japan′s surrender in World War II. She′ll also hold summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Sources: KBS, Yahoo, CNN, Yon Hap News, Arirang News, and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, August 21, 2015
----------------------
U.S. - South Korea
Reaffirms zero tolerance of North Korea Nuclear Arms
Media shows that North Korea has been propagating to separating with US and Korea to seeking the weekening South Korea although, it is the fact that US-Korea relationship is bonded and even Korea's defense is stronger than ever as US Korea has been strengthening security support even further global security will be the stronger than ever....asthe zero tolerance of North Korea Nuclear Arms which is strengthen alliance for North Korean nuclear weapons. Both leaders agreed that the international community would respond strongly and both Presidents reaffirmed that the Korea-U.S. defense capabilities are solid and will be further concrete.
White House Immediate Released report, Office of the Press Secretary dated April 25th, 2014 shows the Joint Fact sheet of the The United States-Republic of Korea Alliance: A Global
Partnership including that USA and Republic of Korea both are also committed to working with the
international community to ensure the full and transparent implementation of all
UN Security Council resolutions concerning the DPRK, and both US and South Korea urge that the DPRK to
refrain from further threatening actions see further detailed info in below:
For Immediate Release
April 25th, 2014
P.M. ED
Joint Fact Sheet: The United States-Republic of Korea Alliance: A Global
Partnership
On the occasion of President Obama’s visit to the
Republic of Korea, the United States-Republic of Korea Alliance is stronger and
deeper than ever. Originally forged in the shared sacrifice of our peoples 61
years ago, our Alliance today is the linchpin of peace and security in the
Asia-Pacific region and an increasingly comprehensive global partnership. Our
two nations enjoy strong and longstanding security, economic, and
people-to-people ties, and our shared values of democracy, human rights, and the
rule of law are the foundation of our relationship. From strengthening the
nonproliferation regime to climate change, we are committed to deepening our
cooperation on global challenges, and continue to work together to advance
prosperity and security in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
The United States and Republic of Korea remain fully
committed to continuing our close cooperation on the full range of issues
related to North Korea toward our common goal, which is shared by the
international community, of the complete, verifiable, and irreversible
denuclearization of North Korea in a peaceful manner. Our two countries
reaffirm the UN Security Council’s unanimous condemnation of the DPRK’s recent
ballistic missile launches as clear violations of UN Security Council
resolutions 1718, 1874, 2087, and 2094. We strongly urge the DPRK to refrain
from additional provocations in further violation of its international
obligations and commitments. We are also committed to working with the
international community to ensure the full and transparent implementation of all
UN Security Council resolutions concerning the DPRK, and we urge the DPRK to
refrain from further threatening actions. The United States supports President
Park's vision of a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons, free from the fear
of war, and peacefully reunified on the basis of democratic and free-market
principles, as articulated in her Dresden address.
We are dedicated to working together with our allies and partners in the
international community to focus international attention on and improve the
deplorable human rights situation in North Korea and to hold the DPRK
accountable for its systematic and ongoing violations of the human rights of its
people.
A Strong, Capable Alliance
The United States and Republic of Korea (ROK) continue to build a
comprehensive strategic Alliance of bilateral, regional, and global scope based
on common values and mutual trust. We are strengthening our combined defense
posture on the Korean Peninsula and enhancing cooperation for regional and
global security in the 21st century. As part of this effort to enhance our
coordination, we plan to hold a foreign and defense ministers' (“2+2”) meeting
in 2014. The U.S. commitment to the Republic of Korea’s security remains
unwavering.
The United States and Republic of Korea have decided that due to the evolving
security environment in the region, including the enduring North Korean nuclear
and missile threat, the current timeline for the transition of wartime
operational control (OPCON) to a Republic of Korea-led defense in 2015 can be
reconsidered. Both the United States and Republic of Korea continue to develop
interoperability and readiness through the use of annual joint and combined
exercises such as Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Key Resolve, and Foal Eagle. The two
sides are also working to ensure that the Republic of Korea is ready to lead the
combined defense after OPCON transition takes place. The leaders of both
countries urged their teams to continue to work hard to determine appropriate
timing and conditions.
As part of its commitment to strengthen Alliance capabilities, the Republic
of Korea is continuing to procure major intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) and weapons systems. The Republic of Korea announced on
March 24 that it intends to procure Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems,
and announced its intent to procure F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets.
Furthermore, the two governments exchanged views on strengthening cooperation
regarding the anticipated U.S. Air Force T-X trainer replacement program. The
Republic of Korea is also developing its own interoperable ballistic missile
defense systems and enhancing the interoperability of the Alliance’s command,
control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems. In order to
respond to the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, the United States and
Republic of Korea recognize the importance of trilateral information sharing
among the United States, Republic of Korea, and Japan in a way that contributes
to a comprehensive and cooperative response against such threats.
The United States welcomes the Republic of Korea’s ratification of a new
five-year Special Measures Agreement, which establishes the framework for ROK
contributions to offset the costs associated with the stationing of United
States Forces Korea on the Korean Peninsula. This agreement reflects our shared
commitment to the defense of the Korean Peninsula and strengthens the U.S.-ROK
Alliance’s capability to serve as the linchpin of regional peace and
stability.
Following our work in the bilateral Extended Deterrence Policy Committee, our
two countries endorsed a Tailored Deterrence Strategy in October 2013 to improve
the effectiveness of extended deterrence against North Korean nuclear and
weapons of mass destruction threats. Both countries signed the Counter
Provocation Plan in March 2013 to enable us to respond immediately and
decisively to any North Korean provocation.
Global Partnership for Peace and Security
The U.S.-ROK alliance is increasingly global in nature, and our countries are
partners on a broad range of security, development, and economic initiatives
around the world. Our expanding cooperation benefits not only Northeast Asia,
but also promotes peace and security for the international community.
The United States and Republic of Korea are close partners on international
efforts to resolve the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear
program. Our countries strongly support the P5+1 process and the P5+1-Iran
Joint Plan of Action. The United States appreciates the Republic of Korea’s
assistance in implementing the Joint Plan of Action.
The United States and Republic of Korea continue to condemn the Syrian
regime’s indiscriminate and continuing use of violence against civilians. Both
countries are committed to addressing the significant humanitarian needs of the
Syrian people, and the United States welcomes the Republic of Korea’s
contributions to the international community’s humanitarian assistance efforts.
We are close partners in supporting the UN-Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons Joint Mission and remain committed to ensuring the complete
elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons. Our two countries strongly support the
goal of the complete elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles around the
world, and urge those countries that have not acceded to the Chemical Weapons
Convention, including North Korea, to do so as soon as possible.
In Afghanistan, where American and Korean troops have served side by side,
the Republic of Korea continues to provide generous assistance toward
reconstruction and stabilization.
The United States and Republic of Korea cooperate closely on humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief. The United States welcomed the Republic of
Korea's co-hosting of the 3rd ASEAN Regional Forum Disaster Relief Exercise with
Thailand in May 2013.
Our two countries continue to collaborate on a wide range of nonproliferation
and counter-proliferation issues, including nuclear security, nuclear
safeguards, combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
related technologies, and preventing nuclear terrorism. The United States and
Republic of Korea have long partnered to ensure that nuclear materials cannot be
sold or stolen and then used for nuclear weapons.
The United States and Republic of Korea are partners in the global
counter-piracy effort. Both countries have contributed naval assets to protect
the safety of civilian maritime trade and are active leaders in the Contact
Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.
The United States convened the first Nuclear Security Summit in Washington,
DC in 2010, and the Republic of Korea hosted the second Summit in Seoul in
2012. At this year’s Summit in The Hague, the three Summit hosts sponsored a
joint statement on Strengthening Nuclear Security Implementation, issued by 35
countries, who committed to take certain actions to improve the effectiveness of
their nuclear security systems and contribute to the continuous improvement of
nuclear security. In addition, the United States and Republic of Korea, along
with three other countries, announced they are collaborating to develop new
high-density low-enriched uranium fuels as part of an effort to minimize the
amount of highly-enriched uranium in civilian use. Our two countries are
closely cooperating to promote the full implementation of UN Security Council
Resolution 1540 (2004), including through joint efforts to lead a Security
Council open debate in May 2014, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the
resolution.
The United States and Republic of Korea are also close partners on the Global
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, a multilateral partnership that
strengthens our global capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear
terrorism. We also collaborate in the Global Partnership Against the Spread of
Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, an initiative to prevent terrorists
or states that support them from acquiring or developing weapons of mass
destruction.
Climate Change and Energy Cooperation
The United States and Republic of Korea share the view that climate change
represents a threat to the security and economic development of all nations, and
we are committed to taking ambitious action together. The Republic of Korea
hosts the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and we cooperate in the Major Economies
Forum and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. Both countries intend to
continue to make efforts toward the successful operationalization of the GCF.
As part of our regular consultations on this issue, the Department of State’s
Special Envoy for Climate Change hosted his ROK counterpart for a bilateral
dialogue on climate change in January 2014. The United States and Republic of
Korea reaffirm their commitment on using expertise and the institutions of the
Montreal Protocol to phase down the production and consumption of
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as set out in the G-20 St. Petersburg Leader’s
Communique.
Our countries also collaborate closely on climate change science and clean
energy research. The Republic of Korea Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy
plans to host a Clean Energy Policy Dialogue with the U.S. Department of Energy
in June to discuss cooperation on clean energy technology research and
development, including microgrids, energy storage, and fuel cells. The United
States and Republic of Korea continue to discuss possibilities for promoting
information sharing regarding shale gas.
In May, the Republic of Korea is hosting and the U.S. Secretary of Energy
plans to attend the 5th Clean Energy Ministerial, a high-level global forum to
share best practices and promote policies and programs that encourage and
facilitate the transition to a global clean energy economy.
Advancing International Development
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Korea
International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) in April 2014 that highlights our strengthened collaboration on maternal
and child health in Ghana and Ethiopia, our cooperation on developing the energy
sector in Ghana in support of the Power Africa Initiative, our cooperation on
climate change in Vietnam, and our partnership on innovative approaches such as
Grand Challenges for Development and public-private partnerships.
Additionally, USAID, in partnership with the International Organization for
Migration (IOM), is providing nearly $270,000 to strengthen the ROK’s disaster
response capacity by supporting civil society partners in the areas of
assessments, contingency planning, and application of humanitarian standards in
disaster response. This partnership is expected to enhance the capacity of
national-level disaster and emergency first responders. Our two countries have
already seen benefits from this collaboration, particularly during our
coordinated response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Partnering for Prosperity, Innovation, and
Entrepreneurship
The United States and Republic of Korea marked the second anniversary of the
entry into force of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) on March 15,
2014. Now in its third year, this landmark agreement continues to provide
tangible benefits for consumers, businesses, workers, and farmers in both
countries. The United States and Republic of Korea have reaffirmed our
commitment to strengthen our efforts to fully implement the KORUS FTA to ensure
that the economic benefits of the agreement are realized for both sides.
The KORUS FTA has provided a strong foundation for increased foreign direct
investment in the United States by Korean companies. In October 2013, Hankook
Tire Co. announced it would build its first manufacturing plant in Tennessee,
investing $800 million and creating 1,800 jobs in the process. Hyundai,
Samsung, Kia, LG, SK, and Hanjin Shipping also have made major investments in
the United States in recent years. In 2012 and 2013, the United States had a
$4.4 billion surplus in foreign direct investment flows with the Republic of
Korea. The Republic of Korea also welcomes the recent investments made by U.S.
companies such as GE, Boeing, and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and is
hopeful that the KORUS FTA will expand opportunities for more investments by
U.S. companies.
The United States reaffirmed that it welcomes the Republic of Korea’s
interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and its commitment to continue
to consult closely with the Republic of Korea on meeting the high standards of
the TPP and to address specific issues of concern.
The United States and Republic of Korea share the view that creativity and
ingenuity are keys to enhancing our shared prosperity and building sustainable
economic growth. During the first U.S.-ROK Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Policy Forum in November 2013, both sides decided to pursue
collaboration on ICT policy that promotes innovation and fosters the global and
open nature of the Internet. The United States and Republic of Korea look
forward to further cooperation on innovation and entrepreneurship in the second
round of the U.S.-ROK ICT Policy Forum in Seoul in the second half of 2014.
The United States and Republic of Korea also work closely together to monitor
global financial conditions and to strengthen cooperation, including through the
G-20, on policies that strengthen financial stability and promote strong,
sustainable, and balanced growth.
On March 26, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and
Inspection Service (FSIS) added the Republic of Korea to the list of countries
eligible to export poultry products to the United States. FSIS determined that
the Republic of Korea’s poultry laws, regulations, and inspection system, as
implemented, met U.S. standards. This decision allows U.S. consumers to enjoy
products such as samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) imported from the
ROK.
Collaboration on Science, Technology, Cyber, and Health
Issues
The United States and Republic of Korea have had a strong partnership in the
field of peaceful nuclear cooperation for more than a half century, and the
United States is pleased that the Republic of Korea has become one of the
world’s leading nations in the development of peaceful nuclear technology. To
advance this collaboration, the United States and Republic of Korea are
negotiating a successor nuclear cooperation agreement that is intended to
reflect the Republic of Korea’s status as a major global nuclear supplier and
the great importance both governments place on maintaining high standards of
nuclear safety and security upon which we are continuously improving, as well as
a strong commitment to nonproliferation. Our two countries are confident that a
new agreement can greatly advance our bilateral cooperation and address the
Republic of Korea’s civil nuclear energy priorities of assured fuel supply, used
fuel management, and competitiveness in the global nuclear energy market.
The United States and Republic of Korea enjoy longstanding cooperation in
science and technology, reflecting the two nations’ mutual recognition that
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, scientific
research, and technology development are essential to economic prosperity,
enhanced public health, environmental sustainability, and national security. We
look forward to holding the next Joint Commission for Science and Technology
Cooperation May 19-20 in Washington to expand collaboration on a wide range of
science, technology, and health issues. We plan to revise the U.S.-ROK Science
and Technology Cooperation Agreement to enhance the valuable exchange of science
and technology ideas, information, skills, and techniques between our two
countries.
U.S.-ROK cooperation on cyber issues continues to expand, and the United
States welcomed Seoul’s hosting of the October 2013 Seoul Conference on
Cyberspace. In 2013, the United States and Republic of Korea continued our
efforts to enhance cybersecurity through increased cooperation between our
computer security incident response teams as well as the creation of a cyber
cooperation working group between our militaries. The United States and
Republic of Korea plan to hold the third round of the U.S.-ROK Cyber Dialogue in
the summer of 2014, and will continue to promote a common vision of an open,
interoperable, secure, and reliable cyberspace.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Republic of
Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare continue to work cooperatively to improve
the health of Republic of Korea and U.S. citizens, particularly through our
research collaboration in basic science and public health, and our cooperation
on public health emergency preparedness and response. The United States
welcomes the Republic of Korea’s support for the U.S. Global Health Security
Agenda, which seeks to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from
infectious disease threats and to promote global health security as an
international security priority.
As a part of this cooperation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and
Response have hosted Republic of Korea public health emergency preparedness and
response fellows. In 2013, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the
Korea Health Industry Development Institute created a joint fellowship program
and offered 16 Korean post-doctoral researchers two-year stipends for research
at NIH. The United States and Republic of Korea also continue to partner on
areas such as biosecurity, biosurveillance, and biodefense through the annual
interagency Able Response exercise.
Enduring Ties Between Our Peoples
Our people-to-people ties with the Republic of Korea are broad and deep.
Over 1.7 million U.S. citizens are of Korean descent, including U.S. Ambassador
to the Republic of Korea Sung Kim, and Republic of Korea citizens are the
ninth-largest nationality of visitors to the United States. The Republic of
Korea sends over 70,000 students annually – more students per capita than any
other major country – while the number of U.S. citizens studying in the Republic
of Korea continues to grow.
Recognizing the importance both countries place on protecting cultural
heritage, the United States is pleased to return to the Republic of Korea 9
cultural artifacts, including one national seal of the Korean Empire. The
repatriation of the nine artifacts was conducted by the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations in close cooperation with
the Republic of Korea Cultural Heritage Administration.
On October 29, 2013, our two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding
renewing the Work, English Study, Travel (WEST) program, which allows Korean
university students and recent graduates to study English, work as interns, and
travel in the United States. Over 2,000 Korean youth have participated in the
program since its inception. Since 2011, the WEST program also has given North
Korea-born youth now living in the Republic of Korea the opportunity to improve
their English language ability and gain business skills and international
experience, to help them to serve as a bridge between the United States and the
North Korean community.
Since 1950, the Fulbright program has fostered mutual understanding between
the United States and Republic of Korea, and since 1992 over 1,100 U.S.-citizen
college graduates have spent a year or more as teachers in rural regions of the
Republic of Korea as part of the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program.
Including Fulbright program alumni, there are nearly 6,000 U.S. government
exchange program alumni in the Republic of Korea.
Recognizing that expanding economic opportunities for women and ensuring
their full participation in the workforce is a challenge shared by both
countries, the United States is pleased to announce its intent to invite five
Republic of Korea participants to attend the White House Summit on Working
Families, which President Obama plans to host on June 23, 2014. The Summit aims
to bring together businesses, economists, labor leaders, policymakers,
advocates, and ordinary citizens to discuss how we can create a 21st century
workplace that meets the needs of a 21st century workforce. Following the
Summit, the participants plan to meet with policymakers and businesspeople to
discuss how to make workplaces better for families, with an eye towards
improving women’s labor force participation.
In 2014, six North Korea-born high school students participated in two
separate Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
SportsUnited basketball programs in the United States. Three boys and three
girls who had escaped from North Korea and are now ROK citizens spent two weeks
in the United States playing basketball and learning about nutrition, fitness,
life skills, conflict resolution, and how sports help to build bridges of
understanding.
The United States is pleased to announce that White
House Assistant Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy Sam Kass
plans to travel to the Republic of Korea in summer 2014 to share First Lady
Michelle Obama’s work to help the United States raise a healthier generation of
young people. In addition to sharing his experience cooking at the White House
for President Obama and foreign dignitaries, Chef Kass looks forward to learning
about and sampling the rich diversity of Korean cuisine.
-----------------------
According to Cheong Wa Dae, President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President Barack Obama held summit talks on April 25 at Cheong Wa Dae where they discussed bilateral cooperation on the economy and national security.which shows the Economic cooperation:
The two leaders stated that the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) has contributed to the economic development of both countries, leading to an increased volume of trade between them. Both Korea and the U.S. have seen the positive effects of the free trade pact. The two leaders agreed to make further efforts so that small- and medium-sized firms would be able to enjoy the benefits of free trade, such as the improvement of export terms and conditions and deregulation. In regard to the Korea-U.S. FTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the two leaders shared the common view that both countries would be able to extend cooperation through the TPP, following the FTA.
In regard to the energy sector, Korea and the U.S. agreed to extend cooperation in clean energy and unconventional energy, which includes shale gas and the gas hydrate sector. In clean energy, which includes renewable energy, smart grids and improving energy efficiency, Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy agreed to work together to conduct joint research into energy storage systems. The two countries also agreed to combine Korea’s capability of commercialization with the U.S.`s core technology of compressed air power storage systems. In regard to information and communications technology (ICT), Korea and the U.S. agreed to build a win-win cooperation system by strengthening policy cooperation. To this aim, the two countries agreed to review the first ICT forum which was formed last year and to host the second forum in the near future. They also agreed to introduce a joint ICT research and development program.
According to US Korea Connect spotlighted on the KORUS FTA that U.S. exports are on the rise and continue to enjoy the benefits of the KORUS FTA. This landmark agreement continues to provide tangible benefits for both countries in its third year anniversary. Even in Washington State, Governor Jay Inslee, back in 2013, described while U.S. Korea Connects are honored to have hosted Chairman Han. Governor Jay Inslee said that "As the KORUS FTA continues to unfold in the months and years to come, we look forward to strong, productive cooperation between our great state and the great nation of Korea."
Sources: CHEONGWA DAE Headlines, White House, US Korea Connect spotlight, Wikipedia,and Youtube catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, May 5,.2014
South Korea Warns North is Gearing for Nuclear Test
According to CNN news,
North Korea is preparing a nuclear test in the coming days, a South Korean government official has warned.
According to the anonymous official cited by CNN, the entrance to North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site was sealed, a sign of completed preparation for a nuclear test.
"This is the final step in preparing to test a nuclear device. In theory, there are seven to 14 days to conduct a test once the entrance is sealed", the South Korean official said.
There is also a possibility that instead the North could attempt launching a long-range ballistic missile.
In an interview for South Korean newspaper Joonang Ilbo ahead of his visit to Seoul, US President Barack Obama cautioned the North to expect "a firm response from the international community" if it engages in a nuclear test.
On its part, North Korea views Obama's visit to East Asia as "an escalation of confrontation in the region".
In March, Pyongyang fired 30 short-range missiles in response to the preparation of US-South Korean joint military drills.
The two Koreas are still technically in a state of war, ever since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
-------------------------
According to CNN News, dated April 25th, 2014: President Obama arrived in Seoul, South Korea, Friday to news that North Korea may be counting down to a nuclear weapons test.
Such moves out of Pyongyang are no surprise and are typical for the North's behavior, Obama told reporters while in Tokyo, his previous stop on his Asia trip.
The President said he is prepared to deliver a firm response, if a test is conducted during his visit.
North Korea's heightened activity at its nuclear test site was already known. But now the final step needed for an underground detonation has been taken, a South Korean government official said Thursday.
The North has closed off the entrance to the tunnel at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, the official said.
That gives Pyongyang 11 days to either detonate a nuclear device or cancel the test. It would be the North's fourth test of a nuclear weapon.
We're expecting a live news conference from the President within the hour. We'll bring it to you when it starts on "Early Start."
------
The 2013 Korean crisis, also referred to as the North Korean crisis by media, was an escalation of tensions between North Korea and South Korea, the United States, and Japan that began because of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2087, which condemned North Korea for the launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2. The crisis was marked by extreme escalation of rhetoric by the new North Korean administration under Kim Jong-un and actions suggesting imminent nuclear attacks against South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
A presenter on North Korea's state broadcaster KRT announces on Thursday that the country is ready to attack South Korea. The woman says the exact co-ordinates have been inputted into warheads and that once the button had been pushed 'our enemies will be turned to a sea of flames':
On 4 February 2013, a South Korean military official had stated that there was a "chance that the southern tunnel is a decoy, but we are not ruling out that the regime will conduct nuclear tests simultaneously at both tunnels."
On 15 February 2013, North Korea had told China that they were preparing for one or two more nuclear tests this year.
On 8 April 2013, South Korea had observed activity at Punggye-ri, suggesting that a fourth underground test was being prepared. It was later believed that the tunneling activity that started in April was for a long term project, and that a nuclear test wouldn't occur soon.
According to a U.S. expert, North Korea has everything in place for a fourth explosion but is hesitating due to the fear that it would anger China. A professor from Georgetown University predicted that test would occur in spring 2014 at latest.
On 17 December, 2013 a member of South Korea’s parliamentary intelligence committee said that a nuclear and missile test would occur soon to draw attention away from the execution of Jang Sung-taek. This was said after North Korea floated propaganda leaflets to South Korea that threatened the annihilation of Baengnyeongdo.
On 22 April 2014, South Korea reported that North Korea had stepped up its activity at its main nuclear test site, meaning they may be preparing for their fourth underground nuclear test. The United States urged North Korea to refrain from testing.
catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, April 23rd, 2014, REV April 24th, 2015
South Korea says North may be close to nuclear test
ccording to Sky News dated April 24th, 2014:
Seoul (AFP) - North Korea could well be preparing to carry out a fourth nuclear test, South Korea said Tuesday, citing increased activity at its main test site, just days ahead of a visit to Seoul by US President Barack Obama.
"Our military is currently detecting a lot of activity in and around the Punggye-ri nuclear test site," defence ministry spokesman Kim Min-Seok told a press briefing
Kim stressed that North Korea's nuclear weapons programme was at a stage where it could conduct a test "at any moment"
The United States said Tuesday it was watching North Korea "very closely" following the warnings.
"North Korea has a history of taking provocative action and we are always mindful of the possibility that such an action could be taken," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One as Obama departed on a week-long Asia tour.
Carney said any action by North Korea would "most likely be in violation of numerous commitments that the DPRK (North Korea) is bound by but of course, that is something that they unfortunately have done many times."
North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests -- in 2006, 2009 and 2013 -- all at the Punggye-ri site in the northeast of the country.
Kim declined to give details of the monitored activity, but cautioned that it may be no more than a "deception tactic" to raise tensions ahead of Obama's arrival in Seoul on Friday.
There had been widespread speculation that the North would stage a provocation to coincide with the trip.
Kim said the South Korean and US militaries were closely sharing intelligence and Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff had set up a special task force in case Pyongyang goes ahead with an underground detonation.
On Monday, Pyongyang slammed Obama's upcoming trip as a "dangerous" move that would escalate military tension and bring the "dark clouds of a nuclear arms race" over the Korean peninsula.
- Slap in the face for China? -
Several analysts said they were sceptical that North Korea would carry out a test at the current time, and said Pyongyang was just seeking to rattle a few cages.
Professor Yang Moo-Jin of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul said a test now would risk permanently alienating the North's only major ally and chief economic benefactor, China.
"It would be a huge slap in the face for China and North Korea may not feel confident enough to deal with the backlash from Beijing," Yang said.
A nuclear test would extinguish any chance of a resumption of six-country talks on North Korea's nuclear programme that China has been pushing for.
Other parties to the stalled discussions -- most notably a sceptical South Korea and the US -- insist Pyongyang must first make a tangible step towards denuclearisation.
China said it was aware of the reports of a possible test and urged restraint.
"We call on all relevant parties to keep calm ... and stick to the goal of realising the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula ... through dialogue," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular briefing.
Kim Yong-Hyun, a North Korean expert at DongGuk University, said the diplomatic fallout from another nuclear test "might be hard for the North to cope with".
"I think this is more likely North Korea posturing to get some international attention," Kim said.
The North warned at the end of March that it would not rule out a "new form" of nuclear test after the UN Security Council condemned its latest series of medium-range missile launches.
Experts saw this as a possible reference to testing a uranium-based device or a miniaturised warhead small enough to fit on a ballistic missile.
- 'Enough plutonium for six bombs' -
Last year, the North restarted a plutonium reactor that it had shut down at its Yongbyon nuclear complex in 2007 under an aid-for-disarmament accord.
The Yongbyon reactor is capable of producing six kilograms (13 pounds) of plutonium a year -- enough for one nuclear bomb.
Pyongyang is currently believed to have enough plutonium for as many as six bombs, after using part of its stock for at least two of its three atomic tests to date.
It is still unclear whether the 2013 test used plutonium or uranium as its fissile material.
A basic uranium bomb is no more potent than a basic plutonium one, but the uranium enrichment path holds various advantages for the North, which has substantial deposits of uranium ore.
Uranium enrichment carries a far smaller footprint than plutonium and can be carried out using centrifuge cascades in relatively small buildings that give off no heat.
--------------------------------
President Obama Asia trip April 2014 has been set with busy schedule with the following including, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippine, and coming back to Washington DC on April 29th, 2014.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
•In the morning, President Obama departs for Tokyo, Japan
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
•In the afternoon, President Obama arrives in Tokyo, Japan
•Later, the President joins Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan for a private dinner
Thursday, April 24, 2014
•In the morning, President Obama meets with Emperor Akihito of Japan at the Imperial Palace
•The President meets with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan at Akasaka Palace
•In the afternoon, the President participates in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Abe
•Later, President Obama delivers remarks at a youth and science event with students at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
•The President visits Meiji Shrine
•President Obama attends the Japan State Dinner and delivers remarks
Friday, April 25, 2014
•In the morning, President Obama greets members of the U.S. Embassy in Japan
•Later that morning, the President bids farewell to the Emperor Akihito of Japan
•In the afternoon, President Obama travels to Seoul, Republic of Korea
•The President visits the National War Memorial and participates in a wreath-laying ceremony
•Later, the President visits Gyengbok Palace
•President Obama meets with President Park at the Blue House
Saturday, April 26, 2014
•In the morning, President Obama participates in a roundtable meeting with business leaders to discuss trade policy
•Later, the President participates in a Combined Forces Command Briefing at Yongsan Garrison and delivers remarks
•In the afternoon, the President travels to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
•President Obama participates in an arrival ceremony in Parliament Square
•Later that evening, the President attends a State Dinner and delivers remarks at Istana Negara
Sunday, April 27, 2014
•In the morning, President Obama greets members of the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia
•Later, the President visits the National Mosque of Malaysia
•President Obama meets with Prime Minister Najib Razak at Perdana Putra
•In the afternoon, President Obama attends a working lunch with Prime Minister Najib Razak
•The President delivers remarks at the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Center
•Later, the President participates in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Town Hall at the University of Malaysia
Monday, April 28, 2014 •The President travels to Manila, Philippines, and participates in an arrival ceremony at Malacanang Palace
•Later that afternoon, President Obama meets with President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines
•President Obama participates in a joint press conference with President Aquino
•The President greets members of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
•Later that evening, the President attends a State Dinner with President Aquino at Malacanang Palace
Tuesday, April 29, 2014 •In the morning, President Obama delivers remarks at Fort Bonafacio
•Later that morning, the President participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery
•The President travels back to Washington, D.C.
Sources: White House, Yahoo, AFP, and Headline News catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, April 23rd, 2014
According to ABC news, dated May 19th, 2013,
According to Aringrang News dated May 19th, 2013, by Kim Hyun-bin reported that The South Korean military has dispatched dozens of precision-guided missiles on the West Sea border islands to better prepare against potential North Korean attacks.
These missiles are capable of accurately countering North Korean coastal artillery. Kim Hyun-bin reported that A target is set and a missile blasts off from its launch pad.
In just matter of seconds the missile hammers its target with no room for error.
This is the high-tech Israeli made missiles that were recently dispatched by the Korean military to protect border islands in the West Sea.
A military official said on Sunday that "dozens of Spike missiles and their launchers have recently been deployed to the Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong islands, and they can destroy underground facilities and pursue and strike moving targets."
The satellite-guided Spike missile weighs in at 70 kilograms and has a range of 25 kilometers.
It can hit a moving target using a camera and sensors until it reaches its final destination.
Military experts say the Spike missiles are infrared guided which allows it to ... with precision ... strike targets day and night and even hit artillery that are hidden in caves.
These missiles are part of the government's plan to boost military power in the region after the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island back in 2010, which killed four South Koreans.
The Spike missiles were originally scheduled to be dispatched back in 2012 but were pushed back due to delayed test-firing.
Along with the high-tech missiles South Korean military also placed state of the art radars, multiple missile launchers, and Cobra helicopters among others to deal with future North Korean threats.
On May 18th, 2013: The South Korean Defense Ministry said North Korea fired three short-range guided missiles into waters off its east coast Saturday, raising concerns about the potential for more military provocation in the region.
Two KN-02 missileswere fired in the morning, followed by another in the afternoon, spokesman Min-seok Kim said.
North Korea has developed a local variant, the KN-02 Toksa (Viper), by reverse-engineering Syrian-supplied Scarab A missiles. The Toksa has a range of 120-140 kilometers, and it is the most accurate ballistic missile in KPA's inventory to date. KN-02 uses a MAZ-630308-224 truck instead of the 9P129 which is Tactical Ballistic Missile, OTR-21 Tochka/KN-02 Toksa (Viper), Tactical ballistic missile posesses total 36 by Soviet Union and North Korea which is unknown number of varient KN-02 from North Korea.
According to ABC news, dated May 18th, 2013, North Korea fired three more missiles two for this morning another for this afternoon The first two missiles were shot in the morning, while the third was in the afternoon. The missiles were launched from the same place where two missiles had been displayed, fueled, and then removed weeks before:
The South Korean Defense Ministry said North Korea fired three short-range guided missiles into waters off its east coast Saturday, raising concerns about the potential for more military provocation in the region.
Two KN-02 missiles were fired in the morning, followed by another in the afternoon, spokesman Min-seok Kim said.
Unlike the mid-range Musudan missiles which are believed to be capable of traveling more than 1,800 miles, within reach of Japan and South Korea, the missiles launched Saturday only have a range of 75 miles.
On 20 April, 2013: North Korea accepted China's offer for dialogue. However, on 21 April, 2013: North Korea moved two mobile missile launchers for short-range Scud missiles to the coast in South Hamgyeong province.
23 April, 2013: North Korea demanded recognition as a nuclear state as prerequisite for dialogue.
25 April, 2013: North Korea warned that it may use kamikaze nuclear attacks.
26 April, 2013: South Korea announced that it will withdraw its remaining workers from the Kaesong Industrial Region to protect their safety after the North Korean government rejects talks.
29 April, 2013: American Kenneth Bae held in North Korea could face the death penalty for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government. All but seven South Korean workers leave the Kaesong Industrial Region.
30 April, 2013: The annual Foal Eagle joint military drills between South Korea and the United States came to a close with both nations continuously monitoring the situation on the Korean peninsula.
1 May, 2013: North Korea's Supreme Court sentenced Bae to 15 years hard labor for "committing hostile acts". North Korea provided no evidence against Bae[107] but it was reported by multiple news organisations that he had taken pictures of starving North Korean children.
2 May, 2013: The U.S. State Department's deputy acting spokesman, Patrick Ventrell, demanded the immediate release of Kenneth Bae, saying "We urge the DPRK authorities to grant Mr. Bae amnesty."
3 May 2013: The remaining seven South Korean workers at Kaesong Industrial Region leave. The Kaesong Industrial Complex, the last symbol of inter-Korean relations, is technically shut down for the moment amid high tensions in the Korean Peninsula. North Korea states that South Korea is fully culpable for the shutting down of the Kaesong Complex, and claims that any finished products left at the Kaesong Complex will belong to the North. Experts are unclear as to what the future lies ahead of the Kaesong Complex and when it might reopen again. Meanwhile, South Korea delayed the decision about whether to continually give support of electricity to Kaesong or not. Company leaders at Kaesong fear their company's fate and are worrying about the conditions of the machines in the factory.
5 May, 2013; The South Korean president, Park Geun Hye, leaves the country to attend the first American summit between herself and U.S. President Barack Obama on May 7th, 2013 held joint session. Both countries discussed about the Korean tensions and for solutions. ROK President Park Geun Hye is scheduled to meet U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, on her first day of arrival to the United States of America.
6 May, 2013: North Korea withdrew two Musudan missiles from its launch site.
7 May, 2013: President Obama holds a press Conference with ROK President Park Geun Hye at the White House. “The days when North Korea could create a crisis and elicit concessions, those days are over.” - Barack Obama
May 7, 2013: The Bank of China halted business with a North Korean bank accused by the United States of financing Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs.
Experts confirm that the North Korean missiles shown at the April 2012 parade were indeed fake,
and were probably made out of wood and cheap metal sheeting.
8 May, 2013:ROK President Park Geun Hye says "A world without nuclear weapons" President Obama's vision must start on the Korean Peninsula.
15 May, 2013: The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Agricultural Bank of China, and the China Construction Bank halt all financial transactions between China and North Korea.
17 May, 2013: The Pentagon announced that Barack Obama plans to replace the top commander of United States forces in Korea.
18 May, 2013: While the crisis seemed to be winding down, North Korea launched three short-range guided missiles into the Sea of Japan. The first two missiles were shot in the morning, while the third was in the afternoon. The missiles were launched from the same place where two missiles had been displayed, fueled, and then removed weeks before.
Arirang news also reported that North Korea has fired three short-range missiles from its east coast, South Korea's defence ministry says, but the purpose of the launches was unknown.
Launches by the North of short-term missiles are not uncommon, but the ministry would not speculate whether Saturday's launches were part of a test or training exercise.
"North Korea fired short-range guided missiles twice in the morning and once in the afternoon off its east coast," an official at the South Korean Ministry of Defence spokesman's office said by telephone.
The official said he would not speculate on whether the missiles were fired as part of a drill or training exercise.
"In case of any provocation, the ministry will keep monitoring the situation and remain on alert," he said.
Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett in Seoul quoted a government spokesperson who would not be named as saying it was probably a KNO2-type missile, that is a short-range guided ballistic missile - the shortest of North Korea's arsenal
The missile travelled in a northeasterly direction, he said.
"That's interesting because it takes the missiles away not only from South Korean territory but also from Japanese territory."
The ministry said the country had reinforced monitoring and was maintaining a high-level of readiness to deal with any risky developments.
A Japanese government source, quoted by Kyodo news agency, noted the three launches, but said none of the missiles landed in Japan's territorial waters.
North Korea has developed a local variant, the KN-02 Toksa (Viper), by reverse-engineering Syrian-supplied Scarab A missiles. The Toksa has a range of 120-140 kilometers, and it is the most accurate ballistic missile in KPA's inventory to date. KN-02 uses a MAZ-630308-224 truck instead of the 9P129 which is Tactical Ballistic Missile, OTR-21 Tochka/KN-02 Toksa (Viper), Tactical ballistic missile posesses total 36 by Soviet Union and North Korea which is unknown number of varient KN-02 from North Korea.
Latest Tention in Paninsula CONFLICTs ON NORTH KOREA NUKE ABILITY
Tensions on Korean Peninsula
According to White House and United Nation report that they had meeting on April 11th, 2013 with President Obama and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon at the White House Oval office which they both agreed that they will be lower temprature which both leaders praised each other’s efforts to resolve the many problems facing the world.
“I think I speak for world leaders in a wide variety of countries when I say that the Secretary-General has shown outstanding leadership,” said President Obama
“I really appreciate your global leadership to make this world more peaceful, more prosperous, and where all human rights are protected and respected,” said Secretary of General, Ban Ki Moon
“The United Nations and United States share common goals – peace and security, human rights and development. In that regard, I really appreciate such strong leadership and cooperation and support of the US Government and President Obama.”
Turning to the renewed tensions on the Korean peninsula Mr. Ban called on the authorities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to refrain from taking any further provocative measures and rhetoric. “This is not helpful. And I really highly commended President Obama’s firm, principled but measured response in close consultation with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Government and with the strong engagement of neighbouring countries like China,” he said.
“We hope that all the countries, including China, who may have influence over North Korea, can exercise their leadership and influence so that this situation will be resolved peacefully. First and foremost, the tension level must come down. North Korea should not confront the international community as they are now doing,” he added, urging all concerned parties, including the United States, China, the ROK, Russia and Japan, to continue to work together on this matter.
On the Middle East Mr. Ban welcomed President Obama’s recent visit to the region. “We need to do all our efforts to fully utilize the momentum generated by President Obama’s visit so that the two-State solution can be successfully implemented as soon as possible,” he said, referring to the internationally endorsed plan for both Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace within secure borders.
Turning to climate change, he reiterated his resolve to work very closely with Member States so that a legally-binding global treaty can be achieved by the end of 2015. “For that [to be] possible, to facilitate this process, I intend to convene a leaders’ meeting sometime next year,” he said. “I have invited President Obama, I invited him to play an important leadership role for humanity.”
U.S.A news dated April 11th, 2013 that With newly-revealed U.S. intelligence showing that North Korea may already be able to arm a missile with a nuclear warhead, President Obama said on Thursday that North Korea must end its "belligerent approach."
After meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon at the White House on Thursday, Obama said they both agreed that it was time to "lower temperatures."
"Nobody wants to see a conflict on the Korean peninsula," Obama said. "But it's important for North Korea, like every other country in the world, to observe the basic rules and norms that are set forth, including a wide variety of U.N. resolutions."
Obama's rebuke came as a new U.S. intelligence report was made public showing North Korea probably has advanced its nuclear knowhow to the point that it could arm a ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead, though the weapon wouldn't be very reliable.
The latest U.S. intelligence assessment on North Korea was revealed Thursday at a public hearing on Capitol Hill. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., read from what he said was an unclassified segment of a classified Defense Intelligence Agency report on North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
The report shows that DIA has "moderate confidence" that North Korea possesses the ability to put a nuclear weapon on a missile, according to a senior Pentagon official who was not authorized to speak publicly about the report. The report, the official said, concludes that the reliability of such a weapon would be low.
A Capitol Hill aide familiar with the report but not authorized to speak on the record downplayed its significance. It is one of many perspectives within the intelligence community and does not represent a consensus view, the aide said. North Korea does not appear close to having the capability to match a nuclear warhead to a rocket capable of ... reaching the United States and detonating, the source said
Pentagon press secretary George Little also downplayed the threat. "It would be inaccurate to suggest that the North Korean regime has fully tested, developed or demonstrated the kinds of nuclear capabilities referenced in the passage," he said
The report is one of many in the intelligence community about the North Korean threat and is not considered the final word, the official cautioned. In fact, some government analysts do not believe the North possesses the capability, the official said.
Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper said in a statement late Thursday that the passage Lamborn read is not an intelligence community assessment. Clapper said North Korea has not yet demonstrated the full range of capabilities necessary for a nuclear armed missile
The United States, South Korea and other countries have become increasingly alarmed by Kim Jong Un's increasingly provocative rhetoric.
For weeks, North Korea has made threats against the United States and South Korea.North Korea also this week told foreign diplomats that it would no longer be able to guarantee the safety of foreigners in Seoul
President Obama and the secretary-general Ban Ki Moon met hours after reports that a North Korean missile had been briefly raised to an upright firing position, stoking concerns that a launch is imminent.
"We will continue to try to work to resolve some of those issues diplomatically even as I indicated to the secretary-general that the United States will take all necessary steps to protect its people and to meet our obligations under our alliances in the region," President Obama said.
Earlier Thursday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the House Armed Services Committee that the Pentagon will have enough resources under Obama's new budget proposal to cope with North Korea.
Hagel also told the committee that neither North Korea nor Iran had the capability to launch a nuclear weapon against the United States.
"Now does that mean that they won't have it or they can't have it or they're not working on it?" Hagel said about North Korea. "No."
On a Same day April 11, 2013, The Foreign Secretary William Hague urged critical issues of North Korea at a press conference following the G8 Foreign Ministers' meeting before the upcoming 39th of G8 summit in June, 2013 in United Kingdom:
“We also reviewed the threat to regional security posed by recent North Korean provocation and condemned the DPRK’s continued work on missile and nuclear weapons programmes. If the DPRK conducts another missile launch, or nuclear test, we committed ourselves to take further significant measures and I refer you to the conclusions that we have issued of the meeting in which G8 foreign ministers condemned in the strongest possible terms the continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. We made clear that Ministers supported the commitment to strengthen the sanctions regime, and further significant measures in the event of a further test or launch by DPRK. We also condemned DPRK’s aggressive rhetoric and confirmed that this would serve to further isolate DPRK. We urged them to engage in credible and authentic multilateral talks on de-nuclearisation.”
Meanwhile, The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced
on April 10, 2013 that a serviceman, who was unaccounted-for from the Korean War, has been
identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military
honors.
Army Lt. Col. Don C. Faith Jr. of Washington, Ind., will be
buried April 17, in Arlington National Cemetery. Faith was a veteran of World
War II and went on to serve in the Korean War. In late 1950, Faith’s 1st
Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, which was attached to the 31st Regimental
Combat Team (RCT), was advancing along the eastern side of the Chosin Reservoir,
in North Korea. From Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 1950, the Chinese People’s Volunteer
Forces (CPVF) encircled and attempted to overrun the U.S. position. During this
series of attacks, Faith’s commander went missing, and Faith assumed command of
the 31st RCT. As the battle continued, the 31st RCT, which came to be known as
“Task Force Faith,” was forced to withdraw south along Route 5 to a more
defensible position. During the withdrawal, Faith continuously rallied his
troops, and personally led an assault on a CPVF position. There are more than 7,900 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War.
Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that
were previously turned over by North Korean officials or recovered from North
Korea by American teams.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to
account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call
703-699-1169.
On April 12, 2013, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in South Korea on Friday on an unusual diplomatic journey, traveling directly into a region bracing for a possible North Korean missile test and risking that his presence alone could spur Pyongyang into another headline-seeking provocation.
Seoul South, CNN reported that Secreatry of State, John Kerry visited Seoul Korea to talk about the nuclear situation in North Korea.
The United States will talk to North Korea, but only if the country gets serious about negotiating the end of its nuclear weapons program, Secretary of State John Kerry said after arriving Friday in Seoul for talks with U.S. ally South Korea.
"North Korea will not be accepted as a nuclear power," Secreatry of State John Kerry said.
His trip to South Korea -- part of an Asian swing that also includes North Korean ally China -- comes a day after a Pentagon intelligence assessment surfaced suggesting the country may have developed the ability to fire a nuclear-tipped missile at its foes.
Disclosed first by a congressman at a hearing Thursday and then confirmed to CNN by the Defense Department, the Defense Intelligence Agency assessment is the clearest acknowledgment yet by the United States about potential advances in North Korea's nuclear program.
Sources: DOD, White House, CNN, USA news,Yahoo News, G8 UK, and Youtube,
Tensions on Korean Peninsula Currently, as of April 6, 2013, two Musudan rockets have been carried to a base near the eastern coast of North Korea and are likely prepared for launch. This may be the first ever test of the rocket or a military drill.
According to Chinese News via Youtube, dated April 5th, 2013 report was givn in English:
North Korea has loaded two intermediate-range missiles onto mobile launchers and hidden them in an unidentified facility near the east coast, Seoul military sources said Friday, triggering speculation that the North is ready for an abrupt missile launch.
Earlier this week, the communist state had moved the "Musudan" medium-rangemissiles to its east coast, prompting the United States to send its advanced missile defense system to its base on the Pacific Ocean island of Guam.
The BM25 Musudan, also known under the names Taepodong X, Nodong / Rodong-B and Mirim, is a mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Musudan was first revealed to the international community in a military parade on 10 October 2010 celebrating the Korean Worker's Party's 65th anniversary, although experts believe these were mock-ups of the missile.
The Musudan resembles the shape of the Soviet Union's R-27 Zyb submarine-launched missile, but is slightly longer.
Description and technical specifications
Musudan
Launch weight: 20,654 kg
Diameter: 1.50 m
Total Length: 12 m
Payload: 1,000 kg
Warhead: single
Maximum range: 3,000--4,000 km
CEP: 1.3 km
Launch platform: North Korean-produced TEL, resembling a stretched and modified
MAZ-543; cargo ships or modified submarines
------------------------------
Currently, as of April 6, 2013, two Musudan rockets have been carried to a base near the eastern coast of North Korea and are likely prepared for launch. This may be the first ever test of the rocket or a military drill. In April 9th, 2013, Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command stressed that the Korean Peninsula reaching
their highest level in the 60 years since the war there ended, the United States
and South Korea are prepared to defend against a North Korean attack, should one
come.
North Korea Musudan type is Ballistic missile, Mobile IRBM. Never had test before and if North Korea is launch this Ballistic missile for their celebration of "Great Leader, Kim il song or their dear leader Kim Jong il's birthday celebration, this will be the first test. Ballistic missile is not safe to use even test according to the figure showing in below even the range figures making the worst Tensions on Korean Peninsula Highest Since War’s End
As you can see why the highest allot was given to the defense and security position see the missile range which Operational Range is possible 2,500-4,000 km (est) which the range shows that the closest areas are: South Korea, Japan and China and further areas: Russia, India, Indonesia, USA (Alaska) and Canada even further Australia, what is that mean??? where the earth will go? Environment, climat changes, global warming all of these affect is going to be the worst and noone is there to claiming on this earth, this is why need to preventing the earth and human before anything worst can be happened....think green....Japan Hiroshima was distroyed when the nuclear automic bomb was droped.....diseases still suffered by this on earth. There is no time to let it happen before destroy the earth and human what our God created.
Currently, as of April 6, 2013, two Musudan rockets have been carried to a base near the eastern coast of North Korea and are likely prepared for launch. This may be the first ever test of the rocket or a military drill. North Korea posesses Ballistic missiles: BM25 Musudan, Hwasong-5, Hwasong-6, Rodong-1, Rodong-2, and Taepodong-2. Taepodong-1 is Intermediate-range ballistic missiles of North Korea include intermediate-range ballistic missiles developed, built, or operated by North Korea .
Meanwhile, U.S and South Korea is still on the highest allot. on April 9th, 2013, Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Locklear expressed confidence in the capabilities of U.S. and South Korean
forces and their ability to intercept a North Korean ballistic missile if one is
launched in the coming days, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has
threatened. Even if it's not during the celebration of the North Korea's Dear Leader and Great Leader's birthday celebration, South Korea and U.S. will be there to defense in any situation even further united with UN to defend.
15 March 2013 Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Address to United Nations on Iran to End Nuclear Production
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Address to United Nations on Iran andIsrael Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had Urgency Address to United Nations on Iran to End Nuclear production: Iran has the Nuclear bomb stage 2 REDLINE which also North Korea has the link with Iran.
Sources: DOD, White House, Wikipedia, Chinese News, and Youtube,
Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Tensions on Korean Peninsula Highest Since War’s End
American Forces Press Service, Dated April 9th, 2013 By Donna Miles
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2013 – With tensions on the Korean Peninsula reaching
their highest level in the 60 years since the war there ended, the United States
and South Korea are prepared to defend against a North Korean attack, should one
come, the U.S. Pacific Command commander told Congress today.
“I am satisfied that we are ready today,” Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III
told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Locklear expressed confidence in the capabilities of U.S. and South Korean
forces and their ability to intercept a North Korean ballistic missile if one is
launched in the coming days, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has
threatened.
But expressing concern about any steps that could cause miscalculation and
quickly escalate, Locklear said he would recommend such an action only after
confirming where it was headed and to defend the homeland or a U.S. ally.
“The best thing we as militaries can do is to preserve the peace, [and] to
get it back to peace so diplomacy can work, and we would hope that could be done
in North Korea,” he said. “But it is a very dangerous situation. It is something
we have to watch, and it could be quite volatile.”
North Korea dominated today’s Senate hearing, originally scheduled to focus
on Pacom’s fiscal 2014 budget request.
Army Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of United Nations Command, Combined
Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, had been scheduled to testify alongside
Locklear, but remained in South Korea to deal with the situation there.
Locklear recognized in his prepared remarks concerns about North Korea’s
nuclear and missile programs and its concentration of combat forces along the
demilitarized zone. But particularly troubling, he said, has been North Korea’s
willingness to use tactics that could cause miscalculation and spin out of
control into conflict.
These provocations “represent a clear and direct threat to U.S. national
security and regional peace and stability,” he said.
Locklear said he felt confident that the allies have demonstrated to the
North Korean leadership, as well as the American population, “our ability and
our willingness to defend our nation, to defend our people, to defend our allies
and to defend our forward deployed forces.”
The admiral told the Senate panel he is satisfied with actions being taken in
response to the North Korean threat, including a B-2 bomber flight over South
Korea and the planned deployment of missile defenses to Guam.
The B-2 flight during the regularly scheduled Foal Eagle exercise “was a good
opportunity for my forces in Pacom to coordinate with [U.S. Strategic Command],
and for us to be able to demonstrate the capability,” Locklear said. “And I
believe that it was visibly demonstrated [and] was done at the right time to
indicate the capabilities that the United States has to ensure the defense of
our allies and our homeland.”
In addition, two Navy ships with missile defense capabilities have been
positioned closer to the peninsula, and the Defense Department announced last
week that Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System assets he would deploy to
Guam as a precautionary measure.
Locklear told the panel he agreed with the Defense Department decision to
delay a routine reliability test of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic
missile in light of what he acknowledged as a “particularly tenuous time.”
Asked by a committee member, Locklear acknowledged he wished China would play
a larger role in helping to curb North Korea’s provocations. “I feel they could
do more,” he said.
The North Korean situation is influencing resourcing decisions at a time that
sequestration is having a direct impact on near-term operational readiness,
Locklear told the panel. Budget constraints have forced Pacom to prioritize its
assets to ensure “the most pressing problems are properly addressed with the
right force levels and the right levels of readiness,” he said. “And today, that
most pressing situation is what is happening on the peninsula in Korea.”
He lamented about budget impacts that will come to light over the longer term
as overall readiness levels begin to decline. In some cases, he said,
large-scale exercises designed to ensure future force readiness are being
cancelled for lack of flight hours, transportation or funds to cover the fuel
costs.
The rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region offers an opportunity to ensure
the proper balance of capabilities there and to reemphasize the U.S. commitment
to this vital part of the globe, Locklear said. He expressed concern, however,
that sequestration and other budget shortfalls under the continuing
appropriations resolution could undermine those efforts.
“We have been accepting additional risk in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region for
some time,” Locklear told the panel. “Our rebalance strategy is in place, and we
are making progress. Implementing and sustaining the strategic rebalance will
require long-term, sustained commitment and resources.”
--------------------------------------------
Defense leaders testified to the Senate that regional security threats are driving U.S. Pacific Command's budget requests for FY1024.
According to C Wa Dae, Headline news dated March 21, reported by Yoon Sojung.
ROK President Park was quoted as saying during a telephone conversation she had with Chinese President Xi Jinping, “Seoul will firmly respond to any provocations by North Korea, but if the North makes the right decision, Seoul will improve inter-Korean ties through the Korean Peninsula trust-building process,” told presidential spokeswoman Kim Haing.
President Park urged the Chinese leader to “closely cooperate together in order to realize common goals of the peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia,” according to the presidential spokeswoman.
“Peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula is also important for China,” President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying by Cheong Wa Dae. “Beijing will make effort with South Korea and strengthen communication with Seoul in order to achieve peace and prosperity and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
According to CNN, Dated, April 9th, 2013, The Obama administration calculates it's likely North Korea may test fire mobile balistic missiles at any time, based on the most recent intelligence showing Pyongyang probably has completed launch preparations, a U.S. official said Tuesday.
The administration believes a test launch could happen without North Korea issuing a standard notice to commercial aviation and martime shipping warning them to stay away from the missile's path, according to the official, who declined to be named becuase of the sensitivelity of the information.
The Obama administration, Press, dated April 9th, 2013, Press Secretary Jay Carney stated that North Korea’s statement advising foreigners to make plans to evacuate Seoul is more unhelpful rhetoric that serves only to escalate tensions which will continue to urge the North Korean leadership to heed President Obama’s call to choose the path of peace and to come into compliance with its international obligations. In recent days and weeks sees as part of a pattern of behavior over the years from the North Korean leadership.
This pattern of behavior will give further isolate North Korea from the rest of the world and to do harm to the North Korean people. North Korea's leadership should focus on developing its economy and assisting the North Korean people, who suffer under this kind of leadership that chooses development of missile programs and nuclear weapons rather than the feeding of its own people.
Travel warnings are issued by the State Department which is taking prudent measures in response to the stepped-up rhetoric and actions by the North Koreans which we have taken seriously and repositioning. So those actions continue to be taken and to ensure both the defense of the homeland, as well as our allies.
Sources: DOD, CNN, Yahoo, Wikipedia, Youtube, White House, and Cheong Wa Dae.
Yahoo News: North Korea is officially withdrawing all of its 50,000 workers from a joint Korean industrial zone after official news stations called it a "hotbed of war".
Due to North Korea's missile threat, Gen. James Thurman has canceled a return to Washington. Also, the U.S. canceled what would have been a routine test of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a base in California in an effort to avoid provoking North Korea. David Martin reports MBC talks about the current tension and more deail inside. Meanwhile, North Korea gives Final Approval for Nuclear Strike on the U.S.
April 9th, 2013: North Korea urges foreigners in South to evacuate:
North Korea has warned that the Korean peninsula was headed for "thermo-nuclear" war and advised foreigners in South Korea to consider evacuation.
In the latest in a series of threats, Pyongyang said on Tuesday that it could not ensure the safety of their personnel if a conflict broke out.
Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett reports from the North-South border.
According to CNN news dated April 9th, 2013: North Korea reported that "If there is to be a war, we do not wish to see foreigners in S. Korea to be harmed... there should be measures over safety of foreigners including foreign institutes, companies, and tourists in S. Korea including Seoul.": North Korea's Asia-Pacific Committee via KCNA".
According to Cheong Wa Dae news report, By Yoon Sojung, dated April 2nd, 2013,ROK President Park asked for Peru’s support to help persuade Pyongyang to end provocations and stop nuclear development, Cheong Wa Dae said on April 2.
--------------------------------------------
According to CNN dated April 8th, 2013, (CNN) -- South Korea's Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae's office Monday clarified his earlier statements about North Korea's nuclear test plans by saying the North had been "continuously preparing" for another nuclear test since February, and that there hadn't been any new signs, his office said Monday.
There was some confusion that earlier comments may have suggested new information indicating the North's nuclear test plans -- something that could have ratcheted up tensions with North Korea. The minister's office made clear that this was not his intended meaning.
-------
April 5, Bloomberg reported that North Korea asked Russia and other countries to consider evacuating their diplomats from the capital as tensions mount with its southern neighbor, warning that embassies can’t be protected in the event of a conflict.
A North Korean Foreign Ministry official met Russian Ambassador Alexander Timonin on April 5th, 2013 to deliver the message, said Denis Samsonov, a spokesman for the embassy in Pyongyang. The British Embassy was told by the Asian nation’s government that it won’t be able to guarantee the safety of foreign missions starting April 10 if a conflict flares up, the Foreign Office in London said. Britain later said it had no plans to pull out staff for now.
“We are consulting international partners about these developments,” the Foreign Office said in an e-mailed statement. “No decisions have been taken, and we have no immediate plans to withdraw our embassy."
A white drawing post in this photo, it is writen in Korean meaning "targeting plan for American Base"
According to REUTERS/KCNA, dated April 8th, 2013, Yahoo News, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) attends a meeting of information workers of the whole army at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang March 28, 2013, in this picture released by the North's official KCNA news agency on March 29, 2013. North Korea put its rocket units on standby on Friday to attack U.S. military bases in South Korea and the Pacific, after the United States flew two nuclear-capable stealth bombers over the Korean peninsula in a rare show of force.
Yahoo News dated April 8th, 2013, South Korea Fears North's Considering 4th Nuke Test.
The environment is already showing the changes and tensions which the North is pulling out work zone for North Korean people from North and South joint factory from North Korea's Kaesong : SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean workers didn't show up for work at a jointly run factory complex with South Korea on Tuesday, a day after Pyongyang suspended operations at the last remaining major economic link between rivals locked in an increasingly hostile relationship.
Some of the more than 400 South Korean managers still at the Kaesong industrial complex just north of the Demilitarized Zone said they planned to stay and watch over their equipment until food ran out.
Pyongyang said Monday it would pull out its 53,000 workers at the complex, which began production in 2004 and is the biggest employer in the North's third-biggest city. By closing the factory, Pyongyang is showing it is willing to hurt its own shaky economy in order to display its anger with South Korea and the United States.
Dated April 8th, 2013, ABC news also reporting that Speculation mounts that Kim Jong Un is preparing a nuclear show of force..
Cheong Wa Dae news report April 3rd, 2013, shows that while the nuclear pact revision meeting with ROK President Park and U.S. Senator Bob Corker, President Park stated on March 29th, 2013 that "Seoul will maintain a firm deterrence backed by the Korea-U.S. alliance to counter provocations from Pyongyang, but if Pyongyang comes towards the right decision, we will work toward building trust on the Korean Peninsula."
On April 5th, 2013, General Martin E. Dempsey
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff says that "There's been a pattern throughout the last 25 or 30 years of provocation to
accommodation to provocation back to accommodation,”
General Martin E. Dempsey
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff North Korea’s Activities Follow Familiar Pattern
April 5th, 2013, American Forces Press Service, Dated April 5th, 2013 By Claudette Roulo
STUTTGART, Germany, April 5, 2013 – Although they have generated tension in
the United States, North Korea’s recent activities are part of a cycle, the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.
"There's been a pattern throughout the last 25 or 30 years of provocation to
accommodation to provocation back to accommodation,” Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey
told reporters who traveled here with him for today’s U.S. Africa Command change
of command.
The chairman said he hasn't seen anything yet to suggest that this time is
different, “but we're all concerned that it could be something different because
of the presence of a new and much younger leader and our inability to understand
who influences him.”
North Korea has long been a bit opaque, the general said.
“But in the past, we've understood their leadership and the influencers a
little better than we do today,” he said.
Though the United States has little information about North Korean leader Kim
Jong Un, he is carrying out a pattern similar to the one his predecessors
followed, Dempsey noted. What is new, he said, is the bellicosity from North
Korea’s leadership, especially in response to the annual Foal Eagle field
training exercise involving U.S. and South Korean forces.
“There's been some speculation that our activities have been provocative,”
Dempsey said, “but our activities have been largely defensive and exclusively
intended to reassure our allies." North Korea's rhetoric, on the other hand, has
been reckless, he added.
"We've been deliberate and measured, and the rhetoric, … that's been pretty
reckless,” the chairman said, particularly given North Korea’s ballistic missile
capability.
“And we believe they have nuclear capability,” Dempsey added. “We don't know
whether they've been able to weaponize it, but the combination of that makes it
a very reckless statement.”
The United States is trying to be deliberate and measured and to assure its
allies that, despite spending cuts, “we'll live up to our alliance obligations
and protect our national interest,” Dempsey said.
“That's not being bellicose,” he added. “That's being very
matter-of-fact.”
Dempsey will travel to China later this month, and he recently spoke by phone
with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Fang Fenghui.
"We both agreed in that telephone conversation that we did need to speak
about North Korea," the chairman said.
A number of challenges surround North Korea, Dempsey told reporters. He noted
that the upcoming trip provides an opening to learn face-to-face the
implications for China and to explain the implications for the United States and
its allies.
"Looking at these issues in isolation is a guarantee that we'll fail to
understand them. What I'm not going to do is go over there and deliver the
traditional talking point about, 'Can't you get your southern neighbor under
control?'” the chairman said.
“I know the answer to that question," he continued. "I would rather take the
opportunity to gain a little deeper understanding of … their issues. … I think
that's kind of the basis of understanding."
Sources: DOD, NBC, CNN, Yahoo, Wikipedia, AlJazeera, Youtube, and Cheong Wa Dae.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
: U.S. Makes Measured Responses to North Korean Threats
American Forces Press Service, Dated April 3rd, 2013 By Jim Garamone Hagel: U.S. Makes Measured Responses to North Korean Threats
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 – U.S. leaders are taking North Korean threats seriously and will continue to make measured responses to Kim Jong Un’s bellicosity, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here today.
The secretary spoke to students at the National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair.
The North Korean leader has threatened to shell the South Korean capital of Seoul and to launch missiles at Guam, Hawaii and the western United States. He also rescinded the armistice North Korea signed with the United Nations in 1953 that ended hostilities on the Korean Peninsula. This week, he announced he was restarting a nuclear plant to produce more weapons-grade uranium and plutonium.
“It only takes being wrong once, and I don’t want to be the secretary of defense that was wrong once,” Hagel said in answer to a student’s question. “We will continue to take these threats seriously. I hope the North will ratchet this very dangerous rhetoric down.”
For decades, officials have urged North Korean leaders to abide by the agreements they signed. These include a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and an end to provocations against South Korea. But the North Korean government’s behavior has resulted in sanctions, and millions of children there have had their growth stunted by malnutrition. The world is willing to help North Korea, Hagel said.
“But they have to be a responsible member of the world community,” he added. “You don’t achieve that responsibility and peace and prosperity by making nuclear threats and taking very provocative actions.”
North Korea has a nuclear capacity and is working on the missile systems to deliver those weapons. “As they have ratcheted up their dangerous, bellicose rhetoric, [North Korea presents] a real and clear danger and threat” to American allies and the U.S. homeland itself, the secretary said.
“I think we have taken measured responses to those threats,” Hagel said. “We are … undergoing joint exercises with the South Koreans now. We are doing everything we can, working with the Chinese and others, to defuse the situation on the peninsula.”
Yesterday, the secretary spoke with new Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chang Wanquan. The two men discussed ways for the two nations to work together.
The United States and China can bridge their differences by concentrating on common interests, Hagel said. “It’s not differences that matter, it is how you deal with them,” he said. “You build a platform for a relationship on your common interests, not on your differences.”
North Korea is a good example of a common interest, the secretary said.
“Certainly, the Chinese don’t want a complicated and combustible situation to explode into a worse situation,” he said. “It’s not in their interests for that to happen. It’s certainly not in our interest or our allies’ interests.”
--------------------------
On March 25, 2013, According to South Korea Cheong Wa Dae, South Korea President Park says nuclear North Korea 'unacceptable'
President Park stressed the symbolic role of the strong alliance between Seoul and Washington, mentioning that this year marks its 60th anniversary, during a meeting with former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell at Cheong Wa Dae, according to presidential spokeswoman Kim Haing.
President Park said the Korea-U.S. alliance has played a key role in pursuing peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and the two countries need to upgrade the alliance in the future, according to the presidential spokeswoman.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said in response that he has a deep respect for Korea and the Korean people as a U.S. army veteran and former secretary of state and will do his best to advance the Korea-U.S. alliance, the presidential spokeswoman quoted him.
“North Korea’s nuclear program is intolerable and we will respond firmly to its provocations,” President Park was quoted as saying, “but if Pyongyang comes towards the right decision, we will work toward building trust on the Korean Peninsula.”
The president was quoted saying that South Korea will respond to any provocations made by the North with the backing of the international community. "I believe the strongest deterrent comes when the international community, backed by the Seoul-Washington alliance, delivers a resolved message with one voice," said the president.
While U.S. undergoing joint exercises with the South Koreans now, U. S. and alies are doing everything
we can, even working with the Chinese and others which was on April 2nd, 2013, the secretary spoke with new Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chang
Wanquan. The two men discussed ways for the two nations to work together to defuse the situation on the
peninsula. On the other hands, Reuters reports dated April 5, 2013 states of missile movement raises tension on Korean Peninsula.
According to Katherine Brandon in White House, June 12, 2009,The United Nations Security Council sent a clear and united message today when they voted unanimously to tighten sanctions on North Korea following the nation’s recent nuclear test and missile firings. The detonation on May 25 of the suspected nuclear device violated the 1953 armistice.
U.N. Resolution 1874 includes a number of measures aimed at stopping North
Korea’s nuclear proliferation, including tougher inspections of cargo, an
expanded arms embargo, and new financial restrictions on North Korea, curbing
loans and money transfers that serve as funding for their nuclear program.
In remarks today following the vote on Resolution 1874, United States Ambassador
Rosemary DiCarlo said that North Korea chose a path of provocation, and now they
must face the consequences. She said that the United States welcomes the strong
and united response to North Korea’s nuclear test, and is committed to
implementing the provisions outlined by the Security Council:
The message of this resolution is clear: North Korea’s behavior is unacceptable
to the international community, and the international community is determined to
respond. North Korea should return without conditions to a process of peaceful
dialogue. It should honor its previous commitments to denuclearize the Korean
Peninsula. It should shun provocation and proliferation. But for now, its
choices have led it to face markedly stronger sanctions from the international
community.
This resolution condemns North Korea’s nuclear test in the strongest terms. It
strengthens and enhances sanctions on North Korea in five critically important
areas: by imposing a total embargo on arms exports from North Korea and
significantly expanding the ban on arms imports; by creating a wholly new
framework for states to cooperate in the inspection of ships and aircraft
suspected to be carrying weapons of mass destruction or other banned goods; by
calling on states and international financial institutions to disrupt the flow
of funds that could support North Korea’s missile, nuclear, or proliferation
activities; by committing to designate for targeted sanctions additional goods,
entities, and individuals involved in North Korea’s illicit behavior; and,
finally, by strengthening the mechanisms to monitor and tighten the
implementation of this toughened new sanctions regime. These measures are
innovative, they are robust, and they are unprecedented.
Ambassador Susan Rice, in comments
at today’s press briefing, described the resolution as "a very robust, tough
regime with teeth that will bite North Korea":
Well, first of all, it would be unwise for the United States or other members of
the Security Council to fail to take strong action in response to a very
provocative and illegal action on the part of North Korea out of concern that
they may take strong action. I mean, the point is that we needed to demonstrate
-- and today we have demonstrated -- that provocative, reckless actions come at
a cost and that North Korea will pay a price for its actions.
And it is obviously the case that they have behaved irresponsibly in the past and we would not be surprised to see them behave irresponsibly in the future. We will be focused, as I said earlier, on the full and effective implementation of this sanctions regime on our part and that of others. And we believe that its full implementation will have a substantial impact on North Korea.
We're working with China and Russia and South Korea, Japan, other neighboring states who have a great stake, as we do, in the issue of regional security and stability. They went along with these measures because they also believe that a strong signal needed to be sent to North Korea, and we fully expect them to implement these cooperatively with us and others.
Meanwhile, Dated April 5th, 2013, Reuters reported of missile movement raises tension on Korean Peninsula.
U.S. is continue to communicating to South Korea but also other allies in the region on this important matter and will continue to do so as necessary when the actions taking, especially when it's viewing the rhetoric emanating from North Korea.
Sources: DOD, Wikipedia, Youtube, White House and Cheong Wa Dae.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel briefed the Pentagon Press Corps Friday about the changes in U.S. missile defense posture defending the United States and NATO allies.
Collective result of the Four decisions will be for further improve availability to counter future for missile threats from Iran and North Korea while maximize increasing scares tax payers resources.
The American people expect to take every necessary step to protect security at home and US strategic interesting abroad and they expect to do so in the most decision in an effective manner possible:
Four decisions on defense
missile changes are:
1) Adding missile interceptors for U.S. West coast.
2) Add missile tracking radar in Japan.
3) Conducting a study for new missile site in U.S.
4) Restructuring a plan to protecting Europe.
Meanwhile PM Benjamin Netanyahu Address to United Nations on Iran Nuclear Production to End also North Korea has the dangerous link with Iran.
According to U.S. Department of Defense, News Dated, March 15, 2013, reported by Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service,
WASHINGTON: The United States will add more ground-based ballistic missile interceptors to its arsenal to guard against increased threats from North Korea and Iran, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today.
The Pentagon will deploy 14 more ground-based interceptors in locations at
Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif, Hagel said, boosting
the total number from 30 to 44. The added interceptors will provide a nearly
50 percent increase in U.S. missile defense capability, Hagel said.
“The United States has missile defense systems in place to protect us from
limited ICBM attacks, but North Korea in particular has recently made advances
in its capabilities and is engaged in a series of irresponsible and reckless
provocations,” Hagel said.
Last month, North Korea conducted its third nuclear test. In December 2012,
the North launched a satellite into orbit, demonstrating an intercontinental
ballistic missile capability. In April 2012, Pyongyang also displayed what
appeared to be a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile capability.
Hagel also said the United States will team with Japan to deploy an
additional advanced radar there. The radar will provide improved early warning
and tracking of any missile launched in North Korea at the United States or
Japan.
Hagel said DOD is also conducting environmental impact studies for a
potential additional interceptor site in the United States. Officials are
looking for two sites on the East Coast and one on the West. While the
administration has not made a decision on whether to proceed, conducting
environmental impact studies will shorten the timeline of construction should a
decision be made, he explained. Hagel also announced plans to restructure the
SM3-2B program, a land-based standard missile, with plans to deploy it as part
of the European phase-adapted approach. “The purpose was to add protection of
the U.S. homeland already provided by our current GBIs [ground based
interceptors] against missile threats in the Middle East,” Hagel said.
The secretary said shifting resources from the “lagging program” to fund the
additional interceptors and kill vehicle technology that will improve
performance of the GBI and other versions of the SM3 interceptor allows the U.S.
to add protection against missiles from Iran and North Korea sooner.
Hagel reemphasized the United States’ “iron-clad” commitment to missile
defense. “The missile deployments the United States is making in phases 1
through 3 of the European phase-adaptive approach, including sites in Poland and
Romania, will still be able to provide coverage of all European NATO territory
as planned by 2018,” he said.
The overall result will improve the U.S. ability to counter future missile
threats from Iran and North Korea while being good stewards of taxpayers’
resources, Hagel said.
“The American people expect us to take every necessary step to protect our
security at home and U.S. strategic interests abroad,” he said. “But they expect
us to do so in the most efficient and effective manner possible.”
.----------------------------------------------
The 3rd Test site was in Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, Kilju County which was coordinated with 41.30°N 129.08°E. during 02:57:51, on 12 February 2013, UTC which was taken underground and the divice type waTs Fission was yield 6 Kilotons of TNT (25 TJ)-40 Kilotons of TNT (170 TJ).
USGS detected a magnitude 5.1 seismic disturbance while other agencies reported earthquake magnitude
February 12, 2013: During the United States America mission to the United Nations: The reporters had question about what is the difference between the past two times—past two nuclear tests—and
this new nuclear test, both in the impact with the international community and
the outcome (inaudible)? and U.S. Ambassador Rice responded that North Korea continues to violate repeated Security Council resolutions and that
in itself makes this different. It is a third test. We’ll await further
information on the technical specifications of that test, but we will be
interested to see whether in fact this indicates a difference in their success
level or a difference in the quality of the test itself. Whatever the outcome,
however, the international community—this Council—has been quite clear: The
actions of North Korea are a threat to regional peace and security,
international peace and security. And they are not acceptable, they will not be
tolerated, and they will be met with North Korea’s increasing isolation and
pressure under United Nations sanctions.
Meanwhile China reported that A citizen of Hyesan, Ryanggang Province of North Korea, 80 km (50 mi) west from the nuclear test site, reported that many 5- and 7-floor buildings shook very severely, and this caused cracking.
On February 11, 2013, the USGS detected a magnitude 5.1 seismic disturbance, reported to be a third underground nuclear test. North Korea has officially reported it as a successful nuclear test with a lighter warhead, and yet delivers more force than before without mentioning the exact yield. South Korean sources put the yield estimation at 6 to 7kt of TNT However, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, a state-run geology research institute in Germany, estimated the yield at 40 kilotons. while South Korean sources later revised the yield to 6-9 kilotons using the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization’s calculation method. The Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources estimated the yield as 7.7-7.8 kilotons.
On 12 February 2013, North Korean state media announced it had conducted an underground nuclear test, its third in seven years. A tremor that exhibited a nuclear bomb signature with an initial magnitude 4.9 (later revised to 5.1) was detected by The China Earthquake Networks Center, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission[5] and the United States Geological Survey. In response, Japan summoned an emergency United Nations meeting for 12 February and South Korea raised its military alert status. It is not known if the explosion was nuclear, or a conventional explosion designed to mimic a nuclear blast; as of two days after the blast, Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean investigators had failed to detect any radiation.
On 12 February 2013, North Korea said it had successfully conducted a third underground nuclear weapons test, according to the Korean Central News Agency. North Korea also said the test had used a miniaturized nuclear device with greater explosive power.
Before North Korea announced they had conducted the test, seismic activity had already been detected in North Korea by the USGS, near the site of previous nuclear tests at Mantapsan in Kilju County. A large tremor, first estimated at magnitude of 4.9, was detected in North Korea and governments in the region were trying to determine whether it was a third nuclear test.
The USGS upgraded the magnitude of the possibly nuclear tremor from 4.9 to 5.1, located 24 kilometres (15 mi) east-northeast of Sungjibaegam, North Korea.
The tremor occurred at 11:57 local time (02:57 UTC) and the USGS said the hypocenter of the event was only one kilometer deep. Later, the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences did not register any seismic events and underground tremors at 16:00 local time on 12 February 2013, in the Russian Far East. [reported that clarification needed]
The China Earthquake Networks Center also reported this event, putting the magnitude at Ms 4.9.
The tremor caused by the test could be felt by residents of the neighboring city of Hunchun and Antu, in Yanbian, Jilin Province, China.
A citizen of Hyesan, Ryanggang Province of North Korea, 80 km (50 mi) west from the nuclear test site, reported that many 5- and 7-floor buildings shook very severely, and this caused cracking.
On May 25, 2009, North Korea conducted another nuclear test, which is believed to have been the cause of a magnitude 4.7 seismic event. Although there is no official information about the test's location, it is believed that it happened at the site of the first nuclear test at Mantapsan, Kilju County, in the north-eastern part of North Korea. By 2016, North Korea could have 14 to 48 "nuclear weapon equivalents." (For uranium weapons, each weapon is assumed to contain 20 kilograms of weapon-grade uranium.)
In April 2009, reports surfaced that North Korea has become a "fully fledged nuclear power", an opinion shared by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei.
On January 6, 2007, the North Korean government further confirmed that it had nuclear weapons.
On October 9, 2006, the North Korean government issued an announcement that it had successfully conducted a nuclear test for the first time. Both the United States Geological Survey and Japanese seismological authorities detected an earthquake with a preliminary estimated magnitude of 4.3 in North Korea, corroborating some aspects of the North Korean claims.
Nuclear technology is spreading. Iran continues its illicit nuclear program, and North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is destabilizing to the region and an urgent proliferation concern. President Obama is working on multiple levels to address these dangers, including through work to strengthen the global nonproliferation and disarmament regime, deal with those states in violation of this regime, and uphold our obligations to work constructively and securely toward the goal of a world without nuclear weapons.
The United Nations plays an important role in this regime, particularly through the Review Conferences held every five years under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT or NNPT) is a treaty to limit the spread of nuclear weapons, opened for signature on July 1, 1968. There are currently 189 countries party to the treaty, five of which have nuclear weapons: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the People's Republic of China (the permanent members of the UN Security Council).
Global security reported that For many years, there has been a lack of understanding of the origins of North Korean strategic ballistic missile program. Equally absent from public the discussion about Missile Technology Control Regime is the assistance that Iran has provided to the North Koran strategic ballistic missile program and North Korea's contribution to Iran's strategic ballistic missile program.
Nuclear technology is spreading. Iran continues its illicit nuclear program , and North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is destabilizing to the region and an urgent proliferation concern.
The February,
2013 report noted that Iran has
continued to deny the IAEA access to the military site at Parchin. Citing evidence
from satellite imagery that "Iran constructed a large explosives
containment vessel in which to conduct hydrodynamic experiments". Such
installation could be an indicator of nuclear weapons development. The report
expresses concern that changes taking place at the Parchin military site might
eliminate evidence of past nuclear activities, noting that there had been
virtually no activity at that location between February 2005 and the time the
IAEA requested access. Those changes include:
Reinstatement
of some of the chamber building’s features, for example wall panels and
exhaust piping.
Alterations
to the roofs of the chamber building and the other large building.
Dismantlement
and reconstruction of the annex to the other large building.
Construction
of one small building at the same place where a building of similar size
had previously been demolished.
Spreading,
levelling and compacting of another layer of material over a large area.
Installation
of a fence that divides the location into two areas. Most of these
activities have also been documented by ISIS in satellite imagery reports,
dated 29 November 2012, 12 December 2012 and 25 January 2013
The UN Security
Council has demanded that Iran suspend its nuclear enrichment activities in
multiple resolutions. The United States has said the "central
bargain of the NPT is that if non-nuclear-weapon states renounce the pursuit of
nuclear weapons, and comply fully with this commitment, they may gain
assistance under Article IV of the Treaty to develop peaceful nuclear
programs". The U.S. has written that Paragraph 1 of Article IV makes clear
that access to peaceful nuclear cooperation must be "in conformity with
Articles I and II of this Treaty" and also by extension Article III of the
NPT.[386] Rahman Bonad, Director of Arms Control Studies at the Center for
Strategic Research at Tehran, has argued that demands to cease enrichment run
counter to "all negotiations and discussions that led to the adoption of
the NPT in the 1960s and the fundamental logic of striking a balance between
the rights and obligations stipulated in the NPT." In February 2006
Iran's foreign minister insisted that "Iran rejects all forms of
scientific and nuclear apartheid by any world power," and asserted that
this "scientific and nuclear apartheid" was "an immoral and
discriminatory treatment of signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty," and that Iran has "the right to a peaceful use of nuclear energy and we cannot
accept nuclear apartheid."
President Obama stressed that North Korea This is a highly provocative act that, following its December 12 ballistic missile launch, undermines regional stability, violates North Korea’s obligations under numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, contravenes its commitments under the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks, and increases the risk of proliferation.
Last month, North Korea conducted its third nuclear test, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel briefed the Pentagon Press Corps Friday, March 15, 2013 about the changes in U.S. missile defense posture defending the United States and NATO allies. Collective result of the Four decisions will be for further improve availability to counter future for missile threats from Iran and North Korea while maximize increasing scares tax payers resources.
The Pentagon will deploy 14 more ground-based interceptors in locations at
Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif, Hagel said, boosting
the total number from 30 to 44. The added interceptors will provide a nearly
50 percent increase in U.S. missile defense capability, said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
“The United States has missile defense systems in place to protect us from
limited ICBM attacks, but North Korea in particular has recently made advances
in its capabilities and is engaged in a series of irresponsible and reckless
provocations,” said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
Four decisions on defense
missile changes are:
1) Adding missile interceptors for U.S. West coast.
2) Add missile tracking radar in Japan.
3) Conducting a study for new missile site in U.S.
4) Restructuring a plan to protecting Europe.
15 March 2013 Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Address to United Nations on Iran to End Nuclear Production
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Address to United Nations on Iran andIsrael Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Urgency Address to United Nations on Iran to End Nuclear production: Iran has the Nuclear bomb stage 2 REDLINE which also North Korea has the link with Iran.
On March 12, 2013 U.S. Urged North Korea to Tone Down Threats. U.S. and South Korean forces remain “postured for any contingency” on the Korean Peninsula, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said on March 12, 2013 as he called on North Korea to tone down its rhetoric and comply with its international obligations.
According to American Forces Press Service dated March 12, 2013, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little condemned North Korea’s destabilizing activities the day after North Korea declared that it had nullified the 60-year-old armistice agreement there.
“North Korea’s bellicose rhetoric and threats follow a pattern designed to raise tensions and to intimidate others,” Little told reporters at a Pentagon news conference.
“North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocation,” he added, saying they “will only further isolate North Korea and undermine international efforts to pursue peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”
Little reiterated President Barack Obama’s call for North Korea’s leadership to “choose the path to peace” and comply with its international obligations. The message from the U.S. government has been “clear and consistent for a very long time,” he said.
But Little acknowledged North Korea’s track record that shows an unwillingness to conform with the international community’s requirements -- through nuclear tests and most recently, a ratcheting up of threatening language.
“The fact of the matter is that their rhetoric is bellicose and the rhetoric is a bit too high,” Little said. “So let’s take this down a notch, I would say to them, and engage the right way.”
U.S. Forces Korea, and other U.S. troops from U.S. Pacific Command and about 10,000 South Korean forces are currently participating in the Key Resolve exercise that promotes their ability to work together to defend South Korea.
Little offered assurance that they are ready to fend off an attack, should one come.
“U.S. Forces Korea, working closely with our South Korean allies, remains postured for any contingency, and we stand ready to protect U.S. and South Korean interests,” he said.
Meanwhile, The United States will continue to take steps necessary to defend Nations and our allies which will strengthen close coordination with allies and partners and work with our Six-Party partners, the United Nations Security Council, and other UN member states to pursue firm action. .
Sources: Yahoo, White House, Unite State Mission to The United Nation Wikipedia, Global Security, DOD, and youtube. catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, February 16, 2013
U.S - China Strong Hand shake follows UN Toughhens Saction on North Korea
New U.N. Sections against North Korea
Compel countries to block cash transfers for weapons program.
Demand enforcement to inspect cargo and stop arms smuggling.
Call for closer look at NK diplomats involved in illegal arms activity.
Clarify list of luxury goods not to be sold to North Korea.
According to US news CNN, Elise Labott, Richard Roth, and Joe Sterling, dated March 8th, 2013: The U.N. Security Council unanimously passed tougher sanctions against North
Korea Thursday targeting the secretive nation's nuclear program hours after
Pyongyang threatened a possible "preemptive nuclear attack."
"These sanctions will bite, and
bite hard," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said after the
vote.
China, North Korea's key ally,
could have used its veto power to block the sanctions. Instead, after weeks of
negotiating, it signed on to the final draft.
"China is a country of
principle," China's U.N. Ambassador Li Baodong said. "We are firmly committed to
safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."
Leading up to the vote, Pyongyang
ratcheted up its bellicose rhetoric.
A spokesman for the North Korean
foreign ministry suggested the United States "is set to light a fuse for a
nuclear war."
As a result, North Korea "will
exercise the right to a preemptive nuclear attack to destroy the strongholds of
the aggressors and to defend the supreme interests of the country," the country
said in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
Despite the strong language,
analysts say North Korea is years away from having the technology necessary to
mount a nuclear warhead on a missile and aim it accurately at a target. And,
analysts say, North Korea is unlikely to seek a direct military conflict with
the United States, preferring instead to try to gain traction through threats
and the buildup of its military deterrent.
But the threat came amid
increased concern over Pyongyang's dogged efforts to advance its nuclear and
missile technology after a recent long-range rocket launch and underground
atomic blast.
On Tuesday, North Korea said it
planned to scrap the armistice that stopped the Korean War in 1953 and warned it
could carry out strikes against the United States and South Korea.
Analysts: 'Boxed in'
North Korea's bluster 'particularly dangerous'
The rhetoric came not only in
advance of the U.N. vote, but also as military drills take place on either side
of the heavily armed border that divides the two Koreas.
This week, the United States and
South Korean began two months of joint exercises, known as Foal Eagle. North
Korea has called the annual training exercises "an open declaration of a war,"
but South Korea says it notified Pyongyang that the drills "are defensive in
nature."
North Korea's nuclear threat
Thursday "may suggest that Pyongyang feels even more boxed in than usual," said
Michael Mazza of the American Enterprise Institute.
And while a nuclear attack
itself is not an immediate palpable threat, "This surge in provocative rhetoric
is particularly dangerous," added Michael Auslin, also with the institute.
"South Korea's new president (Park Geun Hye) can't be seen to back down in the
face of the North's threats, while (new North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un may
feel that his successful missile and nuclear tests give him the ability to keep
pressuring Seoul. The two may wind up talking themselves into conflict."
South Korea's U.N. Ambassador
Kim Sook said Thursday the new resolution "reflects the will of the
international community," which "will never tolerate North Korea's repeated
violations and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile program."
"Each violation will be met by
stronger responses and measures," he added.
Will the new sanctions
work?
The goal of the
new sanctions is to stymie the activities of North Korean banks and cash
couriers who might be funneling money to the secretive regime's nuclear and
missile programs.
It will be tougher for the
regime to move large sums of cash stuffed into suitcases, Rice said.
The U.N. resolution also
outlines measures to step up scrutiny of suspicious sea shipments and air cargo.
And it expands restrictions to encompass several institutions and senior
officials in the North's weapons industry, as well as a range of materials and
technology known to be used in uranium enrichment.
It also blocks the sale of
luxury goods -- such as yachts and certain high-end jewelry -- to North
Korea.
"As a result, North Korea's
ruling elite, who have been living large while impoverishing their people, will
pay a price" for the ongoing nuclear activities, Rice said.
Some doubt whether the new
measures will make much difference.
Sanctions imposed after previous
nuclear tests and rocket launches have failed to deter Pyongyang.
China will go a long way toward
determining whether the new sanctions really do have "bite," analysts say.
"As long as China allows North
Korea to operate, as long as China provides food, energy assistance, and
investment, the sanctions really don't matter," said Doug Bandow of the Cato
Institute.
North Korea notoriously allows
many of its people to live in malnutrition and starvation. Still, the country
needs a functioning economy, partly to finance its military, Bandow
explained.
"Kim Jong Un is now paying the
price for going ahead with a nuclear test despite Chinese warnings not to create
trouble during the political transition that has been under way in Beijing the
past year," Mark Fitzpatrick, director of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
Programme at the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said
this week.
Future levels of Chinese grain
sales to North Korea are a possible indicator of Beijing's commitment to putting
meaningful pressure on Pyongyang, he said.
Ken Gause, an analyst with CNA,
said the new sanctions won't deter North Korea from building up its nuclear
program.
"North Korea last year inserted
language into its constitution that the country is a nuclear power. To walk back
from this, especially under pressure from the outside world, would undermine Kim
Jong Un's legitimacy and make him vulnerable. He will not do this," said
Gause.
North Korea casts U.N. sanctions
as part of an aggressive, U.S.-led conspiracy against it.
North Korea said the underground
nuclear blast it conducted February 12 was more powerful than its two previous
detonations and used a smaller, lighter device, suggesting advances in its
weapons program.
It was the first nuclear test
the isolated state has carried out since Kim inherited power in December 2011
after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, who made building up North Korea's
military strength the focus of his 17-year rule.
The test followed the North's
long-range rocket launch in December that succeeded in putting an object in
orbit. Pyongyang insisted the launch had peaceful aims, but it was widely viewed
as a test of its ballistic missile technology.
Long
history
North and South Korea have
technically been at war for decades. The 1950-53 civil war ended in a truce
rather than a peace treaty.
China supported the North with
materiel and troops in the Korean War. The United States backed the South in the
conflict, with soldiers from the two countries fighting side by side. About
28,500 U.S. soldiers are currently stationed in South Korea. ---------------------------
On 12 February 2013,
North Korean state media announced it had conducted an underground nuclear test, its third in seven years. A tremor that exhibited a nuclear bomb signature with an initial magnitude 4.9 (later revised to 5.1) was detected by both Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission (CTBTO) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). In response, Japan summoned an emergency United Nations meeting for 12 February and South Korea raised its military alert status. Japan and the United States scrambled jets to confirm a radiation signature.
The world leaders of around the country stated that is the strongly condemns the provocative action of North Korea Nuk test including: Australia, Bulgarian, Brazil, Republic of China, Finnish, French, German, India, Israeli, Iranian, Ireland, Italian, Mexican, Pakistan, Phillippines, Romania, Russia, South African, Turkey, British, Japan, South Korea, and United States, and there are many other countries.
Meanwhile, U.S President Barack Obama and ROK President Lee Myung Bak had conversation and discussed about the situation of North Korea Nuclear situation which is the provocative violation of North Korea's International obligations:
The President spoke to Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-bak this morning to consult and coordinate on the response to North Korea’s announced nuclear test. The two leaders condemned this highly provocative violation of North Korea’s international obligations. They agreed to work closely together, including at the United Nations Security Council, to seek a range of measures aimed at impeding North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reducing the risk of proliferation. President Obama unequivocally reaffirmed that the United States remains steadfast in its defense commitments to the Republic of Korea, including the extended deterrence offered by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. The President also thanked President Lee for his leadership and friendship over the past four years and pledged to work closely with President-elect Park to further strengthen U.S.-ROK cooperation...
Source: Whitehouse February 12, 2013
Statement by the President on North Korean announcement of nuclear test
February 12, 2013
North Korea announced today that it conducted a third nuclear test. This is a highly provocative act that, following its December 12 ballistic missile launch, undermines regional stability, violates North Korea’s obligations under numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, contravenes its commitments under the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks, and increases the risk of proliferation. North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs constitute a threat to U.S. national security and to international peace and security. The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and steadfast in our defense commitments to allies in the region.
These provocations do not make North Korea more secure. Far from achieving its stated goal of becoming a strong and prosperous nation, North Korea has instead increasingly isolated and impoverished its people through its ill-advised pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants further swift and credible action by the international community. The United States will also continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies. We will strengthen close coordination with allies and partners and work with our Six-Party partners, the United Nations Security Council, and other UN member states to pursue firm action.
--------
According to USGS, before North Korea announced they had conducted the test, seismic activity had already been detected in North Korea which is near the site of previous nuclear tests at Mantapsan in Kilju County. A large tremor, first estimated at magnitude of 4.9, was detected in North Korea and governments in the region were trying to determine whether it was a third nuclear test. However, North Korea claims, it is a third test and claims that it is a miniaturized nuclear device with greater explosive power.
The USGS upgraded the magnitude of the possible nuclear tremor from 4.9 to 5.1, located 24 kilometres (15 mi) east-northeast of Sungjibaegam, North Korea.
The China Earthquake Network Center (CENC) also reported this event, putting the magnitude at Ms 4.9.
The tremor caused by the test could be felt by residents of the neighboring city of Hunchun and Antu, in Yanbian, Jilin Province, China.
UN also strongly condemns about the North Korea's provocative action of Nuclear test which is illegal. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, condemned the test, and called it a "clear and grave violation" of security council resolutions. Japan's Kyodo News service reported the Japanese defense ministry had scrambled aircraft to hunt for radiation effects. Japan's government is holding a national security council meeting in Tokyo according to NHK. The South Korean military has also raised its readiness level.
A press statement approved by all 15 council members at an emergency meeting Tuesday morning says the test poses "a clear threat to international peace and security." The council approved unanimously last month stepping up sanctions for North Korea's missile test in December it promised to take "significant action" in the event of a new nuclear test.
Secreatry of State, Ban Ki- moon profoundly concerned about the negative impact of this act on regional stability.
Even traditional allies for North Korea, Russia and China, have reacted harshly to the nuclear test, which was confirmed by U.S. intelligence Tuesday morning.
China expressed "firm opposition" Tuesday, as the reclusive nation's only other major ally, Russia, said it "decisively condemned" the move.
The statement from China's Foreign Ministry reflected Beijing's growing frustration with its communist neighbor's provocative behavior. But with Beijing stopping short of a condemnation, it also demonstrated China's reluctance to impose more severe measures that could destabilize the North's hardline regime.
China instead renewed its call for new denuclearization talks, and beseeched all parties to remain calm, and not take any further measure that could heighten tensions.
Russia took a stronger stance Tuesday, with the Interfax news agency quoting a Foreign Ministry source as saying Kremlin leaders "condemn these actions by North Korea and view them together with the ballistic rocket launch carried out earlier as a violation of the corresponding U.N. Security Council resolution.
Many are concerns that the earth will be destroyed as ash before you know it by the reaction of North Korea's underground secretive, and unstable miniature nuclear tests which was already shook the earth by 4.9 magnitude (later revised to 5.1) was detected by both Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory
Commission (CTBTO) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and harmed environmental green effect which is linked by the Climate changes of Global warming support.
Sources: Yahoo, News,CNN news, Youtube, ITN, AP Wikipedia, and DOD catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, February 13, 2013
North Korea Claims that launch Rocket its Success on December 12th, 2012
U.S and Others concern over Rocket Launch Close to the Election South Korea and Japan
According
to the CNN Youtube shows that the North Korea Claims that
launch Rocket its Success on December 12th, 2012. Meanwhile Patrick Cronin, Special to CNN reported that North
Korea’s successful missile launch on December 12, 2012. However, U.S.A and
others are concern over North Korea’s Successful Missile launch:
Editor’s note: Patrick M.
Cronin is Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security
Program at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C. The views
expressed are his own.
North Korea’s successful missile
launch now presents Pyongyang as on the cusp of joining the elite club of
nations with nuclear-armed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). That is
quite a turn around for the young Kim Jong Un, suddenly thrust into power a
year ago, whose first attempt at launching a three-stage missile, during the
April centennial of founder Kim Il Sung’s birth, was a show that flopped before
a global audience.
Shorn of North Korea’s legendary
propaganda, the country has been steadily increasing its missile ranges to the
point where it can reach not just U.S. bases in Japan, but also those in Guam,
Hawaii and Alaska. The estimated range of 3,400 miles for the Unha-3 puts the
capability at the gateway of an ICBM. While touted as a peaceful satellite
space launch, all that North Korea needs to do is to now marry up its
long-range missile with a nuclear warhead. It appears determined to achieve
that mark.
Fewer
than 10 countries are believed to have nuclear weapons and perhaps only seven have
ICBMs. While North Korea has a penchant for marketing failure as achievement,
it truly has something about which to boast when it comes to weapons of mass
destruction (WMD). The North is believed to have enough fissile material for a
dozen or more nuclear weapons, and it could reveal a new ability to fashion a
miniaturized warhead anytime in the next year or so
The following CNN report shows more detail about the North Korea's Launching Missile .
Again, the critics and analysts
are criticizing North Korea's Missile launching over close to the Election season for South
Korea and Japan which U.S. and others have the same concerns over the repetitive
conflict of actions. Meanwhile, PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., on Dec. 11, 2012 report shows that North American Aerospace Defense Command officials acknowledged today that U.S. missile warning systems detected and tracked the launch of a North Korean missile at 7:49 p.m. EST.
The missile was tracked on a southerly azimuth, officials said. Initial indications are that the first stage fell into the Yellow Sea. The second stage was assessed to fall into the Philippine Sea.
Initial indications are that the missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit, officials said.
The missile or the resultant debris, officials added, never posed a threat to North America.
Sources: Yahoo, News,CNN news, Youtube, Wikipedia, and DOD catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, December 14, 2012
Angry North Korea threatens retaliation, nuclear test expected
U.S.
Department of Defense, Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), Dated April 9th, 2012, Immediate News Release shows that Secretary Panetta and Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin spoke by phone this
evening to discuss the announced North Korean missile launch. Both leaders
would regard a missile launch by North Korea as a serious provocation and a
violation of North Korea’s international obligations and standing UN Security
Council Resolutions.
Secretary Panetta and Minister Kim reaffirmed their shared
commitment to closely monitor North Korea’s efforts and to ensure the defense of
the Republic of Korea. Related link see above Icon.
SEOUL (Reuters) - A bristling North Korea said on Wednesday it was ready to retaliate in the face of international condemnation over its failed rocket launch, increasing the likelihood the hermit state will push ahead with a third nuclear test.
The North also ditched an agreement to allow back inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency. That followed a U.S. decision, in response to a rocket launch the United States says was a disguised long-range missile test, to break off a deal earlier this year to provide the impoverished state with food aid.
Pyongyang called the U.S. move a hostile act and said it was no longer bound to stick to its side of the February 29 agreement, dashing any hopes that new leader Kim Jong-un would soften a foreign policy that has for years been based on the threat of an atomic arsenal to leverage concessions out of regional powers.
"We have thus become able to take necessary retaliatory measures, free from the agreement," the official KCNA news agency said, without specifying what actions it might take.
Many analysts expect that with its third test, North Korea will for the first time try a nuclear device using highly enriched uranium, something it was long suspected of developing but which it only publicly admitted to about two years ago.
"If it conducts a nuclear test, it will be uranium rather than plutonium because North Korea would want to use the test as a big global advertisement for its newer, bigger nuclear capabilities," said Baek Seung-joo of the Seoul-based Korea Institute for Defence Analysis.
Defence experts say that by successfully enriching uranium, to make bombs of the type dropped on Hiroshima nearly 70 years ago, the North would be able to significantly build it up stocks of weapons-grade nuclear material.
It would also allow it more easily to manufacture a nuclear warhead to mount on a long-range missile.
The latest international outcry against Pyongyang followed last week's rocket launch, which the United States and others said was in reality the test of a long range missile with the potential to reach the U.S. mainland.
China, the North's main economic and diplomatic backer, called for "dialogue and communication" and continued engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors.
North Korea has insisted that the rocket launch, which in a rare public admission it said failed, was meant to put a satellite into orbit as part of celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of former president Kim Il-sung, whose family has ruled the autocratic state since it was founded after World War Two. Kim died in 1994.
The peninsula has been divided ever since with the two Koreas yet to sign a formal peace treaty to end the 1950-53 Korean War.
SATELLITE IMAGES
Recent satellite images have showed that the North has pushed ahead with work at a facility where it conducted previous nuclear tests.
While the nuclear tests have successfully alarmed its neighbors, including China, they also showcase the North's technological skills which helps impress a hardline military at home and buyers of North Korean weapons, one of its few viable exports.
The North has long argued that in the face of a hostile United States, which has military bases in South Korea and Japan, it needs a nuclear arsenal to defend itself.
"The new young leadership of North Korea has a very stark choice; they need to take a hard look at their polices, stop the provocative action," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at a news conference in Brazil's capital.
The Swiss-educated Kim Jong-un, who is in his late 20s, rose to power after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, last December. The country's propaganda machine has since made much of his physical likeness to his revered grandfather, the first leader and now North Korea's "eternal president".
But hopes that the young Kim could prove to be a reformer have faded fast. In his first public speech on Sunday, the chubby leader made clear that he would stick to the pro-military policies of his father that helped push the country into a devastating famine in the 1990s.
Kim is surrounded by the same coterie of generals that advised his father and he oversaw Sunday's mass military parade.
He urged his people and 1.2 million strong armed forces to "move forward to final victory" as he lauded his grandfather's and father's achievements in building the country's military.
Siegfried Hecker, a U.S. nuclear expert who in 2010 saw a uranium enrichment facility in North Korea, believes the state has 24-42 kg (53 to 95 pounds) of plutonium, enough for four to eight bombs.
Production of plutonium at its Yongbyon reprocessing plant has been halted since 2009 and producing highly enriched uranium would simultaneously allow Pyongyang to push ahead with its nuclear power program and augment its small plutonium stocks that could be used for weapons, Hecker says.
"I believe North Korean scientists and engineers have been working to design miniaturized warheads for years, but they will need to test to demonstrate that the design works: no nuclear test, no confidence," Hecker said in a paper last week.
"Unlike the claim that Pyongyang can make that its space launch is purely for civilian purposes, there is no such civilian cover for a nuclear test. It is purely for military reasons."
(Additional reporting by Choonsik Yoo and Jack Kim; Editing by Jonathan Thatcher and Nick Macfie)
-------------------------------
According to Global security, For many years, there has been a lack of understanding of the origins of North Korean strategic ballistic missile program. Equally absent from public the discussion about Missile Technology Control Regime is the assistance that Iran has provided to the North Koran strategic ballistic missile program and North Korea's contribution to Iran's strategic ballistic missile program.
The Taepo Dong-1 missile was test-fired in August 1998. In 1999 North Korea agreed to suspend tests of long-range missiles, and Pyongyang has extended that moratorium through 2003.
In October 2003 a report released by the South Korean defense ministry estimated that North Korea had shipped over 400 SCUD-class ballistic missiles to the Middle East since the 1980s. The biggest buyers were Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria, but also include Egypt and Libya.
South Korea's defense ministry estimates that North Korea has about 600 Scuds and about 100 Nodong missiles. The [DPRK] North Korea was in 2008 credited by South Korea to have 800 deployed missiles but in March 2010 they were credited with 1,000 missiles deployed. That is 100-150 Scud-B's 300 Scud-C's, 350 Scud-ER's and 200 No-dong-A's equaling 1,000 deployed and perhaps 20 No-dong-B's in a single division identified. North Korea is also credited with having enough weapons grade plutonium to have created 6-8 nuclear device weapons that they will eventually be able to place inside a already perfected missile born re-entry vehicle to make a nuclear warhead according to South Korean government analysis.
May 29 and 30, 1993: North Korean missile test occurred North Korea fired a Nodong-1 missile into the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea), from a base in Hwadae County near Wonsan, North Korea. The target was a buoy floating in the Sea of Japan. The North Koreans were testing the missile so they could export it to Iran in return for oil. Japanese and United States officials waited a few days before disclosing the launch of the missile. Afterwards, North Korea reaffirmed its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Test 1: 1998 North Korean missile test- (August 31, 1998) - Taepodong-1: Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 ( Bright Star 1) was a satellite allegedly launched by North Korea on 31 August 1998. While the North Korean government claimed that the launch was successful, no objects were ever tracked in orbit from the launch, and outside North Korea it is considered to have been a failure. It was the first satellite to be launched as part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng programme, and the first satellite that North Korea attempted to launch.
Test 2: 2006 North Korean missile test- (July 5, 2006) - Taepodong-2, Nodong-2 failed: Two rounds of North Korean missile tests were conducted on July 5, 2006. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) reportedly fired at least seven separate missiles. These included two short-range Nodong-2 missiles, one Scud missile and up to two long-range Taepodong-2 missiles;[2] the latter having been estimated by United States intelligence agencies as having a potential range reaching as far as Alaska in its current stage.[3] Some, including Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, believed that North Korea would carry out additional missile tests in the days that followed.
Test 3:* 2009 North Korean satellite rocket launch- (April 5, 2009) - Unha-2: Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 (Bright Star-2 or Lode Star-2) was a satellite the North Korean government claimed to have placed into orbit in April 2009. According to the North Korean government, an Unha-2 rocket carrying the satellite was launched on Sunday 5 April 2009 at 11:20 local time (02:20 UTC) from the Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground at Musudan-ri in northeastern North Korea. However, officials in South Korea and the United States reported that the rocket and any payload had fallen into the Pacific Ocean. The Russian Space Control concurred, stating that the satellite "simply is not there".
2009 North Korean nuclear testand following the nuclear test, Pyongyang also conducted several missile tests.
Test 4: 2012 North Korean satellite rocket launch- (April 12-16, 2012) - Unha-3: Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 (Bright Star-3 or Lode Star-3) was a North Korean Earth observation satellite, which according to the DPRK was for weather forecast purposes, and whose launch was widely portrayed in the West to be a veiled ballistic missile test. The satellite was launched on 13 April 2012 at 7:39 am KST aboard the Unha-3 carrier rocket from Sohae Satellite Launching Station. The rocket exploded 90 seconds after launch near the end of the firing of the first stage of the rocket. The launch was planned to mark the centenary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the founder of the republic.
At least, 5 times of Missils or scud test have impacted to the sea of Japan and a few times of non test ones have impacted yellow sea which related that A South Korean naval vessel, the ROKS Cheonan, was allegedly sunk by a North Korean torpedo near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea. A rescue operation recovered 58 survivors but 46 sailors were killed in March 26, 2010 and same year, November 23, 2010: North Korea fired artillery at South Korea's Big Yeonpyeong island in the Yellow Sea and South Korea returned fire. Two South Korean marines and two South Korean civilians were killed, six were seriously wounded, and ten were treated for minor injuries. Approximately seventy South Korean houses were destroyed. and resent missile test impacted at sea of Yellow in South Korea near Kun san The satellite was launched on 13 April 2012 at 7:39 am KST aboard the Unha-3 carrier rocket from Sohae Satellite Launching Station. The rocket exploded 90 seconds after launch near the end of the firing of the first stage of the rocket. The launch was planned to mark the centenary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the founder of the republic.
Yahoo reported that A bristling North Korea said on Apr. 18, 2012: it was ready to retaliate in the face of international condemnation over its failed rocket launch, increasing the likelihood the hermit state will push ahead with a third nuclear test. The following MSNBC news showing that there are countless arms and missiles are show off by their celebration for centenary of the birth of Kim Il-sung parade.
Meanwhile, US and South Korea continue exercise stronger and stronger....... Korea Exercise Lets Battalion Stretch Its Wings
By Jim Garamone: American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 19, 2012 – Exercise Foal Eagle – an annual training
exercise in South Korea – has given a Hawaii-based battalion an opportunity to
spread its wings.
The exercise, which ends April 30, allows U.S. and South Korean service
members to work together in defense of the Korean peninsula.
The exercise has added impetus this year, as North Korea launched a missile
in defiance of United Nations agreements, said Army Lt. Col. Tim Hayden,
commander of the 1st Battalion, 25th Infantry. His unit traveled to South Korea
from its base in Hawaii to be part of the exercise.
“[The launch] did serve a strong point to remind us of our responsibility to
maintain our readiness and our partnership with our Korean allies,” he
added.
The battalion focused on both the training mission and the combined mission
with South Korean partners. The unit worked closely with South Korean army units
as the exercise unfolded. It is a type of mission the unit, which has deployed
to Iraq and Afghanistan, has not practiced for years, Hayden said.
The battalion started preparing for movement last year and deployed in March.
The unit has been able to train on everything from individual skills up through
platoon and company level, the colonel said, and conducted combined training
with the South Koreans.
“One of the events I’d like to highlight was a combined defensive live-fire
shot here on Rodriguez Range,” Hayden said from South Korea. “It was a great
event, because we partnered with a Korean tank platoon.”
The South Korean tankers partnered with the battalion’s mobile gun systems –
a 105 mm main gun on a Stryker vehicle variant. This allowed the troops of both
nations to fight a defensive live-fire battle together.
“What we found was through our troops leading procedures and our rehearsals
was both the Korean army and our Army have a lot in common – we have
high-caliber leaders, we have well-trained soldiers, we have very good
equipment,” he said. “We can communicate and fight on the battlefield today as
allies and partners.”
Many of the American soldiers are veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, Hayden
noted.
“What this has been able to do for us is focus on a higher-intensity fight,
more of a decisive action, and fight in the terrain that we would have to fight
here on the peninsula should a contingency arise,” he said. “The change of
terrain has forced my leaders to think beyond the standard mission set they are
used to in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
The colonel said his unit is ready for the type of combat that could happen
in Korea. “We are ready,” he said. “We’ve mastered the basics, and we’re focused
on our core competencies and our fundamental warfighting skills, and we remain
disciplined in what we do.”
Sources: Yahoo, News, Fox news, Youtube, Wikipedia, and global security, MSNBC news, and DOD catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, April 19, 2012
North Korea Continues to Developing A New Long Range Ballistic Missile
According to Yahoo news and Channel Pacific, After Failed
Rocket on April 12, 2012, Kim Chong Un appeared first and made Celebrations
marking the 100th anniversary which the nation founded in 1948 and the
founder's birth on April 15 are designed to build loyalty to the dynasty and
bolster the authority of the young leader, who took over when his father Kim
Jong-Il died last December But several analysts see the launch flop as a
damaging setback.
Inviting many foreign media, North Korea has become an object
of public ridicule in the world, Masao Okonogi of Tokyo's Keio University told
IHS Jane's Defense Weekly.
The North invited about 150 journalists to witness
preparations for what it called a satellite launch and the anniversary
celebrations.
But there has been only a brief mention of the failure of
the launch, which was seen by the United States and its allies as a disguised
ballistic missile test.
U.S. systems detected and tracked a launch of a North Korean TaepoDong-2
missile at 6:39 p.m. EDT.
US President Barack Obama said that Washington will work with the
international community to further isolate North Korea.
The report shows that President addressed that North Korea has been trying to
launch missiles like this for over a decade now, and they don't seem to be real
good at it. They make all these investments, tens of millions of dollars, in
rockets that don't work at a time when their people are starving, literally.
South Korea reported that the North apparently carried out four tests over 16 weeks
until early this year at a test facility on the northeastern coast.
New missile program is separate from the one
launched from last Friday. Four tests carried out over 16 weeks at facility on
northeastern coast.
On April 12, 2012 rocket exploded in mid-air after flying
for just two minutes but Japan is calling for crisis management measures. A
senior defense official says that they will surely do something in order to
restore their damaged dignity, and he raised the possibility of an upcoming
nuclear test.
One woman interviewed by AFP at the stadium through an
official guide said she had not known of the failure. Two other people said
their country would succeed soon in putting a satellite into orbit.
Failure is the mother of success, said Jong Dae-Chol, a
commerce ministry deputy director. Kim Tae-Sung, an officer in the 1.2
million-strong military, used the same phrase.
In reality, the North Korean economy today is characterized
by macroeconomic instability, widening inequality and growing corruption, said
Marcus Noland, of the Washington-based Peterson Institute for International
Economics.
Outside observers, he wrote in an op-ed piece, believe per
capita income today is lower than it was 20 years ago, partly because of a
disastrous currency reform in November 2009.
Severe food shortages have persisted since a
famine in the 1990s but the rocket launch has cost the North 240,000 tones of
US food aid.
After a visit last autumn, UN humanitarian chief
Valerie Amos reported that there have the terrible levels of malnutrition,
especially among the children.
Many countries are condemning North Korea for their immature
and provocative action which caused the world serious problem and concerns: see
below for more details what international world leaders have said:
It
was completely world tension since the North Korea rocket launching
announcement which the world had to preparing the worst cases of landing the
rocket any countries and may caused the casualties
: Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia-Pacific Security Affairs Peter
Lavoy said to the House Armed Services Committee that North Korea had indicated
the rocket would be launched southward, but the U.S lacked confidence about the
rocket’s stability and where the impact of debris would be. He said it is
probably intended to land somewhere close to the Philippines or maybe
Indonesia. He also said that South Korea and the Japanese island of Okinawa
could also be affected and that the debris could fall on their countries and
cause casualties.
Even
Air traffic control authorities in North and South Korea issued warnings to
aircraft associated with North Korea’s planned rocket launch. The warnings
followed a message issued one week earlier by authorities in The Philippines
concerning restrictions on airspace during the 12–16 April launch window. North
Korea’s authorities have closed a route that runs across the sky to the south
of the Sohae launch facility between two navigation waypoints named Bodok and
Tomuk.
UN
Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon said that seriously concerned about the
satellite launch and called on Pyongyang to fully comply with the UN
resolutions that ban any launch using ballistic missile technology. However,
North Korea continues to developing the long range ballistic missiles per
media.
Sources: Yahoo, News world HD5, AP, CNN, Asia Pacific.Wikipedia, and Youtube. catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, April 15, 2012