Sources: White House, DOD News,a Yahoo, Arirang News, NHK, Youtupe Mania, RT, Reuters, CNN, Fox News, GoNews, USA News, Arirang News, Nodong sinmoon, wikipedia, MBC Yonhap,Al jazeera and search

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, September 22, and Rev. 23rd, 2017

According To UN Report:

15 September 2017 – Condemning the launch of yet another ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the Security Council called on the country’s leadership to halt such activities and explore resumption of sincere dialogue on denuclearisation.

In a statement attributable to his spokesperson, the Secretary-General called on the DPRK leadership “to cease further testing, comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions, and allow space to explore the resumption of sincere dialogue on denuclearisation.”

The latest launch, which the statement referred to as a “manifest violation” of Security Council resolutions comes less than two weeks after the DPRK conducted a test of a nuclear device on 3 September and only three days after the Security Council unanimously adopted fresh sanctions against the country.

The statement also noted that Mr. Guterres will be discussing the situation on the Korean Peninsula with all concerned parties in the margins of the upcoming high level week of the UN General Assembly.

Also today, holding urgent consultations over the ballistic missile launch, the Security Council expressed its grave concern that the DPRK is, by conducting such a launch over Japan as well as its recent actions and public statements, deliberately undermining regional peace and stability and causing grave security concerns around the world.

Terming the ballistic missile launch as “highly provocative,” the Council members “condemned further the DPRK for its outrageous actions, and demanded that the [the country] immediately cease all such actions.”

“The Security Council stressed that these DPRK actions are not just a threat to the region, but to all UN Member States,” noted a press statement issued by the Council after the consultations, adding that all UN Member States must “fully, comprehensively, and immediately implement” all relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular 2375 (2017) and 2371 (2017).

The 15-member Security Council also emphasized the vital importance of the DPRK immediately showing sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action and stressed the importance of working to reduce tensions in the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

It also demanded that the DPRK comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions as well as the statements of its President by suspending all activities related to its ballistic missile programme and, in that context, re-establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launches.

The Security Council also reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in north-east Asia at large, and expressed its commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation, welcoming efforts by Council members, as well as other States, to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue.

Kim Jong Un Guides Hwasong-12 Launching Drill Again

North Korea:

Pyongyang, September 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, guided once again a launching drill of the medium-and-long range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 on the spot.

He was greeted by Ri Pyong Chol, Kim Jong Sik, Jo Yong Won, Yu Jin and other leading officials of the C.C., WPK, General of the Strategic Force Kim Rak Gyom, commander of the KPA Strategic Force, and Jang Chang Ha, Jon Il Ho and other officials in the field of defence scientific research.

Participating in the drill were scientists and technicians in the field of rocket research and the Hwasong-12 rocket operation unit of the KPA Strategic Force.

The launching drill was conducted with the aim at calming down the belligerence of the U.S. which has recently cried out for using military muscle against the DPRK, and at bolstering up operation capability for attack and counterattack to counter it with swift and powerful military counteraction, examining the order to deal with nuclear warheads and confirming action procedures of actual war.

The Hwasong artillerymen were rapidly deployed to the launching ground at early morning under a sudden order of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. They were waiting for the moment to launch ballistic rocket after launching preparation under skillful organization and command.

He arrived at the launching ground, learned about the launch plan and preparation and issued an order to launch the medium-and-long range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12.

At the moment, Hwasong-12 zoomed to the sky with dazzling flash and big explosion.

The fired ballistic rocket crossed the sky above Hokkaido of Japan along the preset flight track and accurately hit the preset target waters in the Pacific.

Highly appreciating that the current launching drill of very great meaning in increasing combat power of the nuclear force attained its aim, Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction over the successful launching drill.

Praising the Hwasong artillerymen for handling the rocket well with skilful firepower service, he said with pride that the combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified, operation members' capacity for actual war is also very perfect and the work for increasing combat power of Hwasong-12 has been realized.

He noted that all drills should become meaningful and practical ones for increasing combat power of the nuclear force like the current drill in the future, and the order to deal with nuclear warheads should be strictly established suited to their deployment for actual war.

He underlined the need for the scientists and technicians in the field of rocket research and Hwasong artillerymen to put rockets on a modern and ultra modern basis and develop the operation level onto a higher stage with their close combination.

He told leading officials of the Department of Munitions Industry of the Party Central Committee and the field of defense scientific research accompanying him that our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the U.S. and make the U.S. rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK. And he stressed the need to run at full speed and straight, continuing to qualitatively consolidate the military attack capacity for nuclear counterattack the U.S. cannot cope with.

As recognized by the whole world, we have made all these achievements despite the UN sanctions that have lasted for decades and none of them was made under any "benefit" of the UN, he said, adding it is narrow-minded for those countries styling themselves big powers to calculate the DPRK may yield to UN sanctions.

We should clearly show the great-power chauvinists how our state attain the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade, he said, underlining the need to finalize the work with mobilization of all-state efforts as it nearly reached the terminal. -0- (2017.09.16)T

Published on, September 11th, 2017, President Moon Jae-in held back-to-back phone conversations with his French and Australian counterparts on Monday afternoon, sharing thoughts and seeking cooperation in dealing with North Korea's recent nuclear test.

The liberal leader also made time to seek advice from ex UN chief Ban Ki Moon ahead of his UN General Assembly Address.

According to Arirang News, Hwang Hojun, President Moon's efforts to pressure North Korea with sanctions continue,.this time through separate phone conversations with his French and Australian counterparts.

"President Moon pointed out that North Korea's nuclear test was a grave defiance toward the peace and security of the international community and that its size and nature makes the latest test an unprecedented severe provocation of another level."

During his phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, President Moon expressed his gratitude for the French leader issuing a statement condemning the North immediately after the incident.

President Moon also thanked his French counterpart for requesting the UN Security Council to convene along with Seoul, Washington, London, and Tokyo.

Also noting that France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, President Moon requested France's continuous and active support so that the resolution for additional sanctions against Pyongyang,... which is currently under discussion,... would be adopted and fulfilled.

With Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, President Moon said now is the time to take powerful and substantial measures that the regime can acutely feel.

The South Korean president emphasized the two nations must closely cooperate to achieve the common goal of stabilization and prosperity of East Asia.

According to the Blue House, President Moon said to both leaders that the international community must work in unity to bring North Korea to the table for dialogue through maximum pressure and sanctions.

President Moon also met with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon earlier in the day, sharing his thoughts on North Korea and recent global events.

The meeting took place ahead of the president's address to the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

The former UN chief added that he will continue to support South Korea's national interests.using his 10 years of experience as head of the global body.

President Moon said he is aiming at achieving a meaningful outcome from the trip, especially when the Korean peninsula is going through such a critical time.

According to BBC report; The cylinder at the back is the firing set: this is the power, the electronics that will start off the explosion. They are showing off the nuclear warhead alongside a missile. In some of the photographs we see a tall tan-coloured cone with a yellow and black painted tip. That is the Hwasong-14 ICBM nose cone. This nose cone would be what is appended to the Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile, that was tested in July, and signalled that North Korea may just have made a significant leap in weapons development. There is even a chart in the background detailing how it will work. In Korean, the chart seems to detail that this device is intended to fit into the cone. The North Koreans are also showing us more detail than is required because this is a propaganda piece for outside consumption.

On the day of the test the chief of the South Korean parliament's defense committee, Kim Young-Woo, stated the nuclear yield was equivalent to about 100 kilotons of TNT (100 kt): "The North's latest test is estimated to have a yield of up to 100 kilotons, though it is a provisional report." The independent seismic monitoring agency NORSAR estimated that the blast had a yield of about 120 kilotons, based on a seismic magnitude of 5.8.

On 4 September, the academics from the University of Science and Technology of China released their findings based on seismic results and concluded that the nuclear test occurred at 41°17′53.52′N 129°4′27.12′E at 03:30 UTC, only a few hundred meters from the four previous tests (2009, 2013, January 2016 and September 2016) with the estimated yield at 108.1 ± 48.1 kt.

On 5 September, the Japanese government gave a yield estimate of about 160 kilotons, based on analysing Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization seismic data, replacing an early estimate of 70 kilotons.

On 6 September, an early assessment by U.S. Intelligence that the yield was 140 kilotons, with an undisclosed margin of error, was reported.

The United Nations Security Council met in an open emergency meeting on 4 September 2017, at the request of the US, South Korea, Japan, France and the UK.

South Korea, China, Japan, Russia, the United States, Canada, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia voiced strong criticism of the nuclear test.

US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter: "North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States". Trump was asked whether the U.S. would attack North Korea and replied: "We'll see." Defense Secretary James Mattis warned North Korea that it would be met with a "massive military response" if it threatened the United States or its allies.

North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test on 3 September 2017, stating it was its first test of a thermonuclear weapon (hydrogen bomb). The United States Geological Survey reported an earthquake of 6.3-magnitude not far from North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site. South Korean authorities said the earthquake seemed to be artificial, consistent with a nuclear test. The USGS, as well as China Earthquake Networks Center, reported that the initial event was followed by a second, smaller, earthquake at the site, several minutes later, which was characterized as a collapse of the cavity.

After a dramatic night of protests and a prolonged, ugly clash with police, the route was finally cleared for four additional THAAD launchers to arrive at a U.S. base in Seongju County, some 300 kilometers south of Seoul.

The launchers, which will be stationed temporarily, are now safely inside the base and will be set up over the next few hours.

Arirang News reporter Kim Hyun-bin reported that the four additional THAAD launchers are now inside the base in Seongju and are being installed.

Once the installation is complete and it doesn't take long, just a few hours which U.S. Forces Korea has a fully operational THAAD battery on the Korean peninsula now.

A THAAD battery consists of six launchers, a fire control and communications unit and an X-band radar however, the deployment wasn't exactly smooth sailing. Soon after the four additional THAAD launchers left Osan Air Base bound for Seongju in the wee hours of Thursday morning, hundreds of protesters clashed with police who tried to clear the way for the deployment.

Scuffles occurred as police attempted to break up a gathering of some 400 local residents and activists at a community center near the U.S. base, where the THAAD battery is stationed.

After four hours, the protesters dispersed, but dozens of residents and police were hurt during the process.

Local residents oppose the THAAD deployment, claiming the battery could make the village a military target.

They also say electromagnetic waves from THAAD's X-band Radar could cause health and environmental problems.

The deployment comes as South Korea's defense ministry announced on Wednesday that the U.S. military would install four additional THAAD launchers on Thursday.

The ministry said Seoul and Washington decided to speed up the deployment in view of North Korea's provocations in recent weeks, including two ICBM launches and its sixth nuclear test.

---------------------

Thank God THaad finally arrived 4 more to preventing the DPRK Kim Jung Un Regim, you never can predict what DPRK will do where, when. South Korea is now ready to preventing the people's live. The local people seemed concern environmental issue which DPRK nuclear arson will cause more environmentally and permernent damaging for the home land security. THAAD purpose is to saving many people's lives and protecting South Korea and neighboring countries as well including could be China, Russia, even further, Japan even saving millions and millions people'ss lives. South Korean people should appreciate if there are any alternative to saving lives by the U.S.A and U.S. Alies. When 6.25 was attacked by North Korea, they have never announced DPRK attacking they trusted supporting by their own communist but, least saved half of the land as liberty and freedom to have, now the result, have one the top 10 economic and prosperity land although, DPRK nuclear ambicious dark mind can not trust prosperity with spreading radious.. and earthquake, detonation and mud slide and bad air environment with such small land. Who knows what kind of deseases will spread with the raiation affect. Underground testing is the worst case DPRK having system and spreading radiation.....

The earth will shaken and shaken after, eventually, aftershock will no longer reamining their land and even affecting neighboring countries. China already have bad air polution and the Sun is too much red and anger light to the earth we even see the redish sun light from the smoke they spread from somewhere after and somewhere, someplace making anger to the earth after all, we don't even know what seafood we are eating...Saving environment is denuclearization MUST!!!! With that, thank GOD we have enti-missile, THAAD! It's not the machine, It's not the we love THAAD to the land far from gracious land U.S.A. but, Thank God! South Korean people should have even a bit of secure and safty surrounding with their land with alternative saving lives, ENTI-ICBM MACHINE THAAD INSTEAD, TAKING THEIR DPRK's Hydrogen Bomb ICBM TO CRASH South Korea's LAND or AND KILLING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. IS THAT WHAT CHINA, RUSSIA, WANT? NO !, THEY WANT SECURE AND SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES AND DENUCLEARIZATION FOR DPRK.

speaking of Unsecured North Korea's Under ground detonated hydrogen bomb icbm, don't even know what will happened....othe the other side, there is a well systemed and structured and secure systematic underground 24 hours controled icbm. What>The Minuteman is a strategic weapon system using a ballistic missile of intercontinental range. Missiles are dispersed in hardened silos to protect against attack and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables. Launch crews, consisting of two officers, perform around-the-clock alert in the launch control center since 196In service 1962 (Minuteman-I), 1965 (Minuteman-II), 1970 (Minuteman-III)

Used by United States, Production history: Manufacturer Boeing

Unit cost $7,000,000, Specifications, Weight 78,000 lb (35,300 kg), Length 59 ft 9.5 in (18.2 m), Diameter 5 ft 6 in (1.7 m) (1st stage)

Warhead Nuclear: W62 (retired), W78 (active), or W87 (active), Detonation

mechanism Air-burst or contact (surface)

Engine Three-stage solid-fuel rocket engines; first stage: Thiokol TU-122 (M-55); second stage: Aerojet-General SR-19-AJ-1; third stage: Aerojet/Thiokol SR73-AJ/TC-1, Operational range Approx. 8,100 miles (13,000 km), exact is classified, Flight altitude 700 miles (1,120 kilometers), Speed Approximately 17,507 mph (Mach 23, or 28,176 km/h, or 7.8 km/s) (terminal phase) Guidance, system Inertial NS-50, Accuracy 200 m CEP, Launch, platform, Missile silo.

This is how it look whent it's shoot:

The Boeing LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, is an element of the nation's strategic deterrent forces under the control of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The "L" in LGM is the Department of Defense designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; "M" stands for guided missile, the 30 stands for the Minuteman series of missile and the G after "30" is the current Minuteman III.

The Minuteman is a strategic weapon system using a ballistic missile of intercontinental range. Missiles are dispersed in hardened silos to protect against attack and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables. Launch crews, consisting of two officers, perform around-the-clock alert in the launch control center.

The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), in service with the Air Force Global Strike Command. As of 2017, the LGM-30G Minuteman III version[a] is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States.

Development of the Minuteman began in the mid-1950s as the outgrowth of basic research into solid fuel rocket motors which indicated an ICBM based on solids was possible. Such a missile could stand ready for extended periods of time with little maintenance, and then launch on command. In comparison, existing U.S. missile designs using liquid rocket propellant required a lengthy fueling process immediately before launch, which left them open to the possibility of surprise attack. This potential for immediate launch gave the missile its name; like the Revolutionary War's Minutemen, the Minuteman was designed to be launched on a moment's notice.

Minuteman entered service in 1962 as a weapon tasked primarily with the deterrence role, threatening Soviet cities with a second strike countervalue counterattack if the U.S. was attacked. However, with the development of the U.S. Navy's Polaris which addressed the same role, the Air Force began to modify Minuteman into a weapon with much greater accuracy with the specific intent of allowing it to attack hardened military targets, including Soviet missile silos. The Minuteman-II entered service in 1965 with a host of upgrades to improve its accuracy and survivability in the face of an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system the Soviets were known to be developing. Minuteman-III followed in 1970, using three smaller warheads instead of one large one, which made it very difficult to attack by an anti-ballistic missile system which would have to hit all three widely separated warheads to be effective. Minuteman-III was the first multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) ICBM to be deployed. Each missile can carry up to three thermonuclear weapons, which have a yield in the range of 300 to 500 kilotons.

Peaking at 1,000 missiles in the 1970s, the current U.S. force consists of 450 Minuteman-III missiles[3] in missile silos around Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Minot AFB, North Dakota; and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. By February 2018 this will be reduced to 400 armed missiles, with 50 unarmed missiles in reserve, and four non-deployed test launchers to comply with the New START treaty. The Air Force plans to keep the missile in service until at least 2030. It is one component of the U.S. nuclear triad—the other two parts of the triad being the Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), and nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers.

Minuteman-III MIRV launch sequence: 1. The missile launches out of its silo by firing its 1st-stage boost motor (A). 2. About 60 seconds after launch, the 1st stage drops off and the 2nd-stage motor (B) ignites. The missile shroud (E) is ejected. 3. About 120 seconds after launch, the 3rd-stage motor (C) ignites and separates from the 2nd stage. 4. About 180 seconds after launch, 3rd-stage thrust terminates and the Post-Boost Vehicle (D) separates from the rocket. 5. The Post-Boost Vehicle maneuvers itself and prepares for re-entry vehicle (RV) deployment. 6. The RVs, as well as decoys and chaff, are deployed during backaway. 7. The RVs and chaff re-enter the atmosphere at high speeds and are armed in flight. 8. The nuclear warheads initiate, either as air bursts or ground bursts.

Speaking of Environmental and securities, The Boeing B-52 Re-engine will make The Right Choice for the Air Force‬ which the Boeing B-52s will remain the backbone of the U.S. bomber force for decades to come. The final and crucial element to the aircraft’s modernization is to replace the engines. New engines will provide economic, operational and environmental benefits. New engines are the right choice to carry the B-52 into the future. Learn more about the B-52 at http://www.boeing.com/defense/b-52-bo...

Alert!! South Korea's Spy Agency Detect "North Korea is Moving its New Hwasong-14 ICBM" US Defense News and also Defense Military say that "Days after North Korea’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which possibly involved a staged thermonuclear device, the South Korean National Intelligence Service discovered that
North Korea is moving its new Hwasong-14 ICBM,
a weapon tested twice successfully in July. The Hwasong-14 meaning Mars-14, also known under alternative US designation codename KN-20 is a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile developed by North Korea. It had its maiden flight on 4 July 2017, which coincided with the United States' Independence Day. North Korea is the only known operator of this missile.

ON July 4th,

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea appeared to use a Chinese truck originally sold for hauling timber to transport and erect a ballistic missile that was successfully launched on Tuesday, highlighting the challenge of enforcing sanctions to curb its weapons program.

North Korea state television showed a large truck painted in military camouflage carrying the missile. It was identical to one a U.N. sanctions panel has said was “most likely” converted from a Chinese timber truck.

Since 2006, U.N. sanctions have banned the shipment of military hardware to North Korea. But control of equipment and vehicles that have “dual-use” military and civilian applications has been far less stringent.

The vehicle was imported from China and declared for civilian use by the North Korean foreign ministry, according to a 2013 report by the U.N. panel. Tuesday’s launch was the first time the truck had been seen in a military field operation in pictures published in state media.

China, North Korea’s largest trading partner and its sole major ally, is under increasing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said Chinese efforts to rein in North Korea’s weapons programs have failed.

The truck had been previously on display at military parades in 2012 and in 2013 carrying what experts said appeared to be developmental models or mock-ups of North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The World and including China and Rusia is condemming North Korea Nuclear Warhead although, North Korea continue to bulling neighboring countries and to the global this dangerous provocative action will make more danger own North Korea itself. There are many ways to handle which could handled 25 years ago but, have been patient and warning with constructive way by the International group, UN, South Korea, Japan, and U.S. A. Even so they have been Security homeland training for Protective drill within their land and zone but, North Korea have been passing through neighboring countries, east SEA and threatening to USA, South Korea, Japan, and to the United Kingdom, even to the global with bulling and bragging NK nuclear creation of warhead, Yet Noone attacked NK land even so, blaming to U.S.A's Protecting Alies (South Korea, Japan even other countries). North Korea Seems does not understand How God has created earth and life and universal. North Korea does not own the world, Nuclear is not all you can have power. It is better to listen what is requiring and follow the International Law and what UN council is requiring before harming your citizens and your nation. It is critical China not to support nuclear or warhead wepont support to North Korea. North Korea has 90 percent support from China import goods and export goods. It is key essential that China has to firm that follow complete UN Sactions that North Korea can not build nuclear warhead weapon any more. Also It is better not to blamming U.S.A when U.S.A contributed more than billion dollors to support North Korea's economic but, with that building missile and nuclear warhead was not the good example to the neighboring countries. It is certainly unfair to U.S.A. and South Korea, Japan and Alies even globally.

Here are timeline North Korean Missile Tests which listed only Major time as of August 29th, 2017:

Arirang News Published September 5th, 2017:
North Korea threatens more'gift packages' for the U.S.

September 5th, 2017, Arirang News Yu Joonhee reports, North Korea has fired off. yet, another thinly-veiled warning at the United States, promising to send "more gift packages" to Washington. The message was sent by Pyongyang's envoy to the UN, in the regime's latest act of defiance following its nuclear test on Sunday. The wording was more subtle at least by North Korean standards, but the message was clear. North Korea's ambassador to the UN, Han Tae-song said his country would send more "gift packages" to the United States if Washington continues to turn up the heat on the regime. Speaking at a UN arms conference in Geneva on Tuesday, the envoy said he was proud of Pyongyang's latest nuclear test, saying it's a necessary deterrent, against perceived signs of hostility from the U.S (English) "The recent self-defensive measures by my country the DPRK are gift packages addressed to none other than the U.S. The U.S. will receive more gift packages from my country as long as it relies on reckless provocations and futile attempts to put pressure on the DPRK." Han stood defiant, despite the wave of condemnation and growing isolation being faced by the regime saying pressure and sanctions would be a futile and wasted effort, in deterring his country. He ruled out the possibility of any talks on North Korea's denuclearization, saying Pyongyang's nuclear deterrent is a topic that's off-limits and non-negotiable, in any future dialogue. Washington's ambassador to the UN Robert Wood, responded by saying the regime's nuclear and missile programs were a threat to the entire world. He said North Korea can no longer be allowed, to continue its violation of international law and that it was time for the international community, to put its foot down, once and for all. "Now is the time to say to the regime that provocations, threats and destabilizing actions will no longer be tolerated." Following North Korea's nuclear test, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Monday to formulate a response. While Washington and its allies have called for a broadening of sanctions on the regime. Road blocks remain, with China and Russia still questioning the efficacy of such measures.

Former Acting CIA Director and CBS News Senior National Security Contributor Michael Morrell discusses the implications of a North Korean hydrogen bomb test.

September 4, 2017

North Korea may be preparing another missile launch.

-----------------

4 September 2017 – The top United Nations political official today urged the Security Council to remain united and take appropriate action against Sunday's nuclear explosive test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

“The latest serious developments require a comprehensive response in order to break the cycle of provocations from the DPRK,” said Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, in an emergency Council meeting, noting that “such a response must include wise and bold diplomacy to be effective.”

Mr. Feltman, however, stressed the importance of responding to humanitarian needs regardless of the political situation as the people of the DPRK rely on the international community to provide humanitarian assistance.

Today's meeting was the Council's second emergency meeting on the DPRK in less than a week and the tenth time the body has met to discuss the DPRK this year.

The latest serious developments require a comprehensive response in order to break the cycle of provocations from the DPRK

On the details of Sunday's event, Mr. Feltman said that the DPRK characterized it as a “perfect success in the test of a hydrogen bomb for intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)” and as marking “a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force.”

He said that it is evident the yield of the device was larger than any of the DPRK's previous nuclear tests and experts have estimated a yield of between 50 and 100 kilotons, or on average more than five times more powerful than the weapon detonated over Hiroshima and at the low end of the yield of a modern thermonuclear weapon.

Citing a DPRK article that stated the hydrogen bomb was “a multi-functional thermonuclear nuke with great destructive power which can be detonated even at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP [electromagnetic pulse] attack,” Mr. Feltman said that “this was a rare reference by the DPRK to the use of EMP,” which, triggered by a nuclear weapon, would aim for widespread damage and disruption to electricity grids and sensitive electronics, including on satellites.

He also drew attention to reports today indicating that the DPRK may be preparing new ballistic missile tests.

“We are alarmed by this dangerous provocation,” he said, noting that Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call on the DPRK leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions.

“We will continue to carefully follow the developments and remain in close coordination with the concerned international organizations, Members of the Council and other governments concerned,” he concluded.

United States Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said that her delegation will table a draft resolution on strengthening sanctions against the DPRK.

‬

3 September 2017

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the nuclear test conducted by
the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General condemns the underground nuclear test announced by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

This act is yet another serious breach of the DPRK’s international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts. This act is also profoundly destabilizing for regional security. The DPRK is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the DPRK leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Secretary-General remains in contact with all parties concerned.

--------------------------------------------------

3 September 2017

UN Secretary-General condemns
DPR Korea's underground nuclear test

3 September 2017 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned today's underground nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as “yet another serious breach of the country's international obligations.”

According to a statement issued by a UN spokesperson, the Secretary-General also said that DPRK's action undermined international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts and is also profoundly destabilizing for regional security.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the DPRK leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions,” the statement said, noting that Mr. Guterres remains in contact with all parties concerned.

Also today, the head of the UN atomic agency has said that the nuclear test is “an extremely regrettable act.”

“This new test, which follows the two tests last year and is the sixth since 2006, is in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community,” said Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in a statement.

In its resolutions, most recently in 2371, the Security Council has reaffirmed its decisions that the DPRK should not conduct any further nuclear tests and should abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

“Once again, I strongly urge the DPRK to fully implement all relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA,” Mr. Amano said, noting that his agency continues to closely follow developments in the DPRK's nuclear programme and remains ready to contribute to its peaceful resolution.

September 3rd, 2017

Statement by IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano on DPRK

Today’s nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is an extremely regrettable act. This new test, which follows the two tests last year and is the sixth since 2006, is in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community.

In its resolutions, most recently in 2371, the Security Council has reaffirmed its decisions that the DPRK shall not conduct any further nuclear tests and shall abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. Once again, I strongly urge the DPRK to fully implement all relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA.

The Agency continues to closely follow developments in the DPRK’s nuclear programme, which is a matter of grave concern. We remain ready to contribute to its peaceful resolution.

Published on Sep 3, 2017

Defense Secretary James Mattis holds an emergency press conference after North Korea successfully tested its most powerful nuclear weapon yet, a hydrogen bomb

September 3, 2017

After North Korea announced on Sunday that it successfully conducted a test of an extraordinarily powerful hydrogen bomb meant to be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), President Donald Trump said "we'll see" in regards to a possible attack on the country.

A newsreader for North Korean state-run television announced the test early Sunday, saying it was ordered by Kim Jong Un. The broadcaster called it a "complete success," adding that the "two-stage thermonuclear weapon" had "unprecedented" strength.

Indeed, this latest test was the most powerful of North Korea's six nuclear tests.

U.S., Trump respond to reports of test

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced Sunday morning that he’ll be drafting a new sanctions package against North Korea that could go so far as to cut off all U.S. trade with any country that chooses to do business with North Korea.

“It's clear that this behavior is completely unacceptable," Mnuchin said of the test on "Fox News Sunday." "We've already started with sanctions against North Korea, but I'm going to start a sanctions package to send to the president, for his strong consideration, that anybody that wants to do trade or business with them would be prevented from doing trade or business with us."

Mnuchin added that the U.S. will work with allies and China as it takes steps to more forcefully cut off North Korea from the global economy.

Mnuchin also mentioned that he's spoken to Trump since the test took place.

President Trump first responded to the reported test on Twitter prior to Mnuchin's warning, commenting on North Korea's continuing "hostile and dangerous" actions toward the U.S. and it being a "great threat and embarrassment to China." The president also said South Korea's appeasement" with its northern neighbor won't work. Last August 29, 2017, The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, For Immediate Released Statement by President Donald J. Trump on North Korea.

South Korea to respond to DPRK hydrogen bomb test with the "Most Powerful Punitive Measures" on September 3rd, 2017

CGTN: Reported on Sep 3, 2017

South Korea has strongly condemned the DPRK for its latest nuclear test a hydrogen bomb that the country claims can be loaded onto an ICBM.

Speaking at a National Security Council meeting, President Moon Jae-in stated that the DPRK of committing an "absurd strategic mistake" and promised Seoul would respond with the "most powerful punitive measures."

President Moon Jae In: We’re very disappointed and upset. The DPRK’s repeated provocation including ICBM launches and nuclear testing hightened tensions not only on the Korean Peninsular but also greatly threatens what peace the DPRK has committed an absurd strategic mistake which there further isolates a country from the international community.

In response to the DPRK provocation, our Government along with the international community would have measured against the north and we will make the DPRK have no option other than giving up its nuclear and missile program.

Reported on Sep 3, 2017

According to Arirang News, Kim Hyo-sun,

Turning to Washington's response to North Korea's most powerful nuclear test to date. President Trump had some strong words for the regime; calling it "hostile and dangerous" to the United States.

Further warnings followed. with President Trump's defense chief saying that any threat to the U.S. and its allies will be met with "a massive military response."

Kim Hyo-sun reports. U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter to condemn North Korea calling the regime "very hostile and dangerous to the United States."

In a pair of tweets after the North claimed it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, President Trump also described North Korea a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China.

He also took aim at South Korea, stating that "appeasement with North Korea will not work," and suggesting that more severe steps must be taken to influence the Kim Jong-un regime.

Pentagon chief James Mattis also warned Pyongyang that any threat to the U.S. or its allies will be met with an overwhelming response.

"Any threat to the United States or its territories including Guam or our allies will be met with a massive military response - a response both effective and overwhelming."

Mattis was speaking after an emergency national security meeting with President Trump and other top administration officials.

Looking to constrict North Korea's activities, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Washington will consider cutting off all trade with individuals and agencies that do business with Pyongyang.

Speaking on Fox News on Sunday, Mnuchin said a new package of sanctions will be laid out in order to economically isolate North Korea.

Breaking news today 9/2/2017/U.S. PLANS TO DEFENSE NUCLEAR ICBM MISSILE ⚠

N. Korea claims to have developed ICBM h-bomb as Kim Jong-un observes

Arirang News September 3rd, 2017: North Korea is claiming it has developed a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted onto a ballistic missile, and its leader, Kim Jong Un , says Pyongyang can now produce as many nukes as it wishes.

His comments came as Kim inspected what the North claimed was one of the H-bombs to be loaded onto an I-C-B-M. Arirang News Song Ji-sun reports that the North Korea's Central News Agency reported Sunday that Pyongyang has developed an ICBM loaded with a hydrogen bomb, running photos purporting to show leader Kim Jong-un inspecting an H-bomb to be loaded into a new ICBM.

The claims have not been verified independently.

But the state-run news agency reported that all components of the hydrogen bomb were 100-percent domestically-made and that Pyongyang can produce as many powerful nuclear weapons as it wants.

It added the H-bomb is a multi-functional thermonuclear nuke... whose power can be adjusted from tens to hundreds of kilotons -- and is also capable of detonating an EMP or electromagnetic pulse at high altitude.

North Korea last year conducted its fourth and fifth nuclear tests, saying the fourth in January 2016 was a successful hydrogen bomb test, although outside experts questioned whether it was a full-fledged hydrogen bomb.

Still, many agree that Pyongyang is capable of conducting its sixth nuclear test at any time.

North Korea has exhibited more refined and improved missile technology each time it has conducted another missile launch this year - with its latest intermediate-range ballistic missile flying over Japan last Tuesday, threatening to target the U.S. base in Guam.

Two intercontinental missile tests in July had a range of about 10-thousand kilometers, which could potentially hit the mainland U.S.

North Korea conducts 6th nuclear test, says it was H-bomb

According to Associated PressSeptember 3, 2017: : undated image distributed on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, by the North Korean government, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at an undisclosed location. North Korea’s state media on Sunday, Sept 3, 2017, said leader Kim Jong Un inspected the loading of a hydrogen bomb into a new

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said it set off a hydrogen bomb Sunday in its sixth nuclear test, which judging by the earthquake it set off appeared to be its most powerful explosion yet.

South Korea's weather agency estimated the nuclear blast yield of the presumed test was between 50 and 60 kilotons, or five to six times stronger than North Korea's fifth test in September 2016. That would mark a significant step forward in the North's quest for a viable nuclear missile capable of striking anywhere in the United States.

On North Korean television, a newsreader called the test a "complete success" and said the "two-stage thermonuclear weapon" had "unprecedented" strength. Hours earlier, Pyongyang claimed its leader had inspected a hydrogen bomb meant for a new intercontinental ballistic missile.

Seoul's weather agency and the Joint Chiefs of Staff said an artificial 5.7 magnitude quake occurred at 12:29 p.m. local time, in Kilju, northern Hamgyong province, the site where North Korea has conducted nuclear tests in the past. Seoul officials revised their earlier estimate of 5.6 magnitude quake. The U.S. Geological Survey called the first quake an explosion with a magnitude 6.3.

The U.S. State Department had no immediate reaction. South Korea's presidential office said it will hold a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Moon Jae-in. South Korea's military said it has strengthened its monitoring and readiness while mulling a variety of possible responses that could be executed in collaboration with the U.S.

Japan confirmed that North Korea conducted a nuclear test, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said. "It is absolutely unacceptable if North Korea did force another nuclear test, and we must protest strongly," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

The USGS and China's earthquake administration detected a second tremor in North Korea minutes after the first, describing it as a cave-in or collapse. South Korea's weather agency, however, said no second quake occurred.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year, the last nearly a year ago, on the Sept. 9 anniversary of the nation's founding. It has since maintained a torrid pace in weapons tests, including its first two intercontinental ballistic missiles test in July. Last month, North Korea fired a potentially nuclear-capable midrange missile over northern Japan.

Earlier Sunday, photos released by the North Korean government showed Kim talking with his lieutenants as he observed a silver, peanut-shaped device that was apparently the purported thermonuclear weapon destined for an ICBM. What appeared to be the nose cone of a missile could also be seen near the alleged bomb in one picture, which could not be independently verified and was taken without outside journalists present. Another photo showed a diagram on the wall behind Kim of a bomb mounted inside a cone.

State media said Kim visited the Nuclear Weapons Institute and inspected a "homemade" H-bomb with "super explosive power" that "is adjustable from tens (of) kiloton to hundreds (of) kiloton."

North Korea's nuclear and missile program has made huge strides since Kim rose to power following his father's death in late 2011. The North followed its two tests of Hwasong-14 ICBMs by threatening in August to launch a salvo of its Hwasong-12 intermediate range missiles toward the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam.

It flew a Hwasong-12 over northern Japan last week, the first such overflight by a missile capable of carrying nukes, in a launch Kim described as a "meaningful prelude" to containing Guam, the home of major U.S. military facilities, and more ballistic missile tests targeting the Pacific.

It may be difficult for outside experts to confirm that the nuclear device detonated Sunday was an H-bomb. State media reported that the test left no trace of radioactive material. The U.S. and its allies attempt to detect blast material to gauge North Korea's progress, but Pyongyang has become better at containing it as its nuclear program has evolved.

To back up its claims to nuclear mastery, such tests are vital. The first of its two atomic tests last year involved what Pyongyang claimed was a sophisticated hydrogen bomb; the second it said was its most powerful atomic detonation ever.

It is almost impossible to independently confirm North Korean statements about its highly secret weapons program. South Korean government officials said the estimated explosive yield of last year's first test was much smaller than what even a failed hydrogen bomb detonation would produce. There was speculation that North Korea might have detonated a boosted fission bomb, a weapon considered halfway between an atomic bomb and an H-bomb.

It is clear, however, that each new missile and nuclear test gives the North invaluable information that allows big jumps in capability. A key question is how far North Korea has gotten in efforts to consistently shrink down nuclear warheads so they can fit on long-range missiles.

North Korea is thought to have a growing arsenal of nuclear bombs and has spent decades trying to perfect a multistage, long-range missile to eventually carry smaller versions of those bombs.

South Korea's main spy agency has previously asserted that it does not think Pyongyang currently has the ability to develop miniaturized nuclear weapons that can be mounted on long-range ballistic missiles. Some experts disagree.

The White House said President Donald Trump spoke with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan regarding "ongoing efforts to maximize pressure on North Korea." The statement did not say whether the conversation came before or after the North's latest claim.

A long line of U.S. presidents has failed to check North Korea's persistent pursuit of missiles and nuclear weapons. Six-nation negotiations on dismantling North Korea's nuclear program in exchange for aid fell apart in early 2009.

The North said in its statement Sunday that its H-bomb "is a multi-functional thermonuclear nuke with great destructive power which can be detonated even at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack according to strategic goals."

Kim, according to the statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, claimed that "all components of the H-bomb were homemade ... thus enabling the country to produce powerful nuclear weapons as many as it wants."

In what could be read as a veiled warning of more nuclear tests, Kim underlined the need for scientists to "dynamically conduct the campaign for successfully concluding the final-stage research and development for perfecting the state nuclear force" and "set forth tasks to be fulfilled in the research into nukes."

The two Koreas have shared the world's most heavily fortified border since their war in the early 1950s ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. About 28,500 American troops are deployed in South Korea as deterrence against North Korea.

___

Associated Press writers Youkyung Lee, Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.

According to Pyongyang, September 2nd, 2017 (KCNA) -- The Nuclear Weapons Institute of the DPRK gave the following statement in connection with the perfect success in the test of a hydrogen bomb for ICBM:

Scientists in the nuclear field of the DPRK successfully carried out a test of H-bomb for ICBM in the northern nuclear test ground of the DPRK at 12:00 on September 3, true to the Workers' Party of Korea's plan for building a strategic nuclear force.

The H-bomb test was carried out to examine and confirm the accuracy and credibility of the power control technology and internal structural design newly introduced into manufacturing H-bomb to be placed at the payload of the ICBM.

The result of the experimental measurements showed that the power specifications of nuclear warhead including total explosion power and fission to fusion power rate and all other physical specifications reflecting the qualitative level of two-stage thermo-nuclear weapon fully complied with design figures. It was also confirmed that even though the recent test was carried out with the bomb of unprecedentedly big power, there were neither emission through ground surface nor leakage of radioactive materials nor did it have any adverse impact on the surrounding ecological environment.

The test re-confirmed the precision of the compression technology of the first system of the H-bomb and the fission chain reaction start control technology and proved once again that the nuclear material utility rate in the first system and the second system reached the levels reflected in the design.

Symmetrical compression of nuclear charge, its fission detonation and high-temperature nuclear fusion ignition, and the ensuing rapidly boosting fission-fusion reactions, which are key technologies for enhancing the nuclear fusion power of the second-system of the H-bomb, were confirmed to have been realized on a high level. This helped prove that the directional combination structure and multi-layer radiation explosion-proof structural design of the first system and the second system used for the manufacture of the H-bomb were very accurate and the light thermal radiation-resisting materials and neutron-resisting materials were rationally selected.

The test helped draw the conclusion that the Korean-style analytic method and calculation programs for the complicated physical processes occurring in the first and second systems were put on the high level and that the engineering structure of the H-bomb as a nuclear warhead designed on the Juche basis including the structure of the nuclear charge of the second system was creditable.

The test once again confirmed the reliability of the concentration-type nuke detonation control system fully verified through a nuclear warhead detonation test and test-launches of various ballistic rockets.

The perfect success in the test of the H-bomb for ICBM clearly proved that the Juche-based nukes of the DPRK have been put on a highly precise basis, the creditability of the operation of the nuclear warhead is fully guaranteed and the design and production technology of nuclear weapons of the DPRK has been put on a high level to adjust its destructive power in consideration of the targets and purposes. It also marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force.

The Central Committee the WPK extended warm congratulations to the scientists and technicians in the nuclear field in the northern nuclear test ground on their successful H-bomb test for ICBM.

DEFENSE UPDATES: WHY US DID NOT SHOOT DOWN THE NORTH KOREAN MISSILE FLYING OVER JAPAN?

Published on Sep 2, 2017

HOW POWERFUL IS F/A 18 SUPER HORNET | AIRCRAFT JETS FIGHTER SPECIFICATION

U.S., South Korean Defense Leaders Meet in Wake of Most Recent North Korean Missile Launch

According to Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2017 — U.S. and South Korean defense leaders are today discussing ways to make the alliance stronger in face of continued outrageous acts by North Korea.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis hosted South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo at the Pentagon today, the day after North Korea shot an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan.

The visit is Song’s first in his position. “It says a great deal about the priority you and your president [Moon Jae-in] place on the relationship,” Mattis said in opening remarks at the meeting.

Mattis said the world will continue to seek diplomatic solutions to the problem posed by North Korea. “We are never out of diplomatic solutions,” he said. “The minister and I share a responsibility to provide for the protection of our nations, our populations and our interests, which is what we are here to discuss.”

The secretary noted the U.S.-South Korea alliance has been a cornerstone of peace in the region since the armistice halted the Korean War in 1953. “We share a commitment to democratic values and work together to maintain a stable environment so all can prosper,” Mattis said.

“As we have seen, the threat to security in the Northwest Pacific has become more severe and our nations’ defense relationship becomes more important than ever and remains the bedrock for international efforts to temper North Korea’s aggressive actions,” he said.

Sanctions

Mattis pointed to recent United Nations actions to impose sanctions and the communique that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations released following its most recent meeting as proof that the international community is resolved to counter North Korea’s destabilizing actions.

“Here in Washington, we are keenly aware that South Korea is on the front line and we are not complacent,” Mattis told Song.

“Clearly, the world is paying close attention to the [South Korean]-U.S. alliance because of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile strides,” Song said through a translator. “I have no doubt these issues will be resolved due to the strength of the U.S.-[South Korean] alliance.”

(Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneDoDNews)

Remarks by Secretary Mattis and Minister Song Young-moo at the Pentagon

Press Operations

Aug. 30, 2017

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JIM MATTIS: Welcome, Minister Song.

Ambassador, good to see you again.

Excellency and military officers, members of the delegation, welcome to the Pentagon. You're most welcome here.

Thank you for traveling to Washington so soon after you were assigned to this post. It's good to meet you in person after we had already spoken earlier this month. It says a great deal of the priority that you and the president place on the relationship that you would come so soon.

The Republic of Korea-United States alliance has played an enduring role in regaining and maintaining South Korea's security since 1950. And as President Moon remarked earlier this week, our alliance serves as the foundation of peace on the Korean peninsula.

Our countries share a commitment to democratic values and we work together to maintain a stable environment in which all the separate nations can prosper. And for 64 years, our countries' mutual defense treaty has provided a rock solid basis for collaboration on defense measures, measures designed to keep that peace and to protect the South Korean people and to uphold vital American interests.

As we have seen, the threat to security in the northwest Pacific has become more severe. And our nations' defense relationship thus becomes more important than ever in remaining the bedrock for international efforts to temper North Korea's aggressive actions.

The recent United Nations Security Council sanctions and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) communique demonstrates the international community's resolve against North Korean actions. Last evening's United Nations Security Council action shows the world is united in diplomatic efforts to stop North Korea and their reckless, intolerable behavior. And here in Washington, we are keenly aware that South Korea is on the front lines and we are not complacent.

We note with confidence that you have pledged to increase defense spending under President Moon. And in the interest of keeping our alliance fit for these times, we must continue to deepen our military relationship, building on the high level of trust that exists between our two nations.

As you say in Korean, Katchi Kapshida, or, "We go forward together." And Minister Song, I look forward today to the usual transparent dialogue on how we will work together in what you've called for, an honest and candid conversation.

And again, Minister, Excellency, members of the delegation, welcome to the Pentagon.

DEFENSE MINISTER SONG YOUNG-MOO (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): In the interest of saving time, I will keep my opening remarks brief.

First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude to you for hosting an excellent honor guard ceremony in front of the Pentagon in this good weather.

And because General Dunford to your right and you, yourself, are Marine generals, I -- I feel a sense of camaraderie towards you, as a naval officer.

And I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences for these people who were sacrificed as a result of Hurricane Harvey, as well as those service members who were sacrificed on the USS McCain.

SEC. MATTIS: Thank you very much.

MIN. SONG (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Currently the world is paying close attention to the ROK-U.S. alliance because of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile threats.

I have no doubt in my mind that these issues will be resolved through the strength of the ROK-U.S. alliance, as we have done in the past.

And, as Secretary Mattis yourself has noted just now, after World War II, the alliance relationship that the -- Korea and United States share has been a key factor in terms of geo-economics, geopolitics, history, and militarily. In these all fields and beyond, this is an alliance that is exemplary and firmer above all other alliances in the world.

And I have a -- I have a humble dream to have add another stone on top of this great alliance, to add to this brick and mortar.

And, starting now, I will engage in an honest conversation with you in this dialogue. And, as a military man and as a Navy and Marine gentleman, I hope that today's conference will be fruitful.

SEC. MATTIS: I'm sure it will be. Thank you very much, Minister. Again, welcome to all of you, and thank you, members of the press, very much for coming.

Q: Secretary Mattis, you've often said that you seek a diplomatic solution with North Korea. The president this morning tweeted that talking isn't the answer. Are we out of diplomatic solutions for North Korea?

SEC. MATTIS: No.

Q: What additional diplomatic solutions could be taken?

And then, for Minister Song, what additional U.S. military support might South Korea need to be able to increase pressure on North Korea?

SEC. MATTIS: Now, you're testing us, here, you know. We bring you up here to take pictures.

But, no, the -- we're never out of diplomatic solutions. We continue to work together, and the minister and I share a responsibility to provide for the protection of our nations, our populations and our interests, which is what we're here to discuss today -- and look for all the areas which we can collaborate within an already very strong collaboration. We always look for more. We're never complacent.

SEC. MATTIS: Okay. Thank you.

-END

S. Korean military to take a more aggressive stance during a crisis on the peninsula

According to Arirang News, Reporter, Kim Hyun-bin, The ministry of national defense vows to take a more aggressive role than previously planned if a conflict breaks out on the peninsula.

In contrast to the previous administration's measures, the military will go on the offense and destroy key North Korean facilities

A ministry report to President Moon-Jae-in on Monday, which looked at reform and the future role of the military, focused on establishing a wartime concept where the military will take a more aggressive role.

The concept reflects Seoul's aim to be able to better seize the initiative in the early stages of a conflict, in case deterrence fails.

"Our military will establish a new concept of how to fight, a new concept of operation, and will restructure our forces and command structure among others to better adapt to the new concept."

South Korea's defense minister Song Yong-moo has stressed that the military will take more of an offensive stance by destroying key North Korean facilities at the outbreak of war, in contrast to the previous administrations' stance which focused on maintaining a defensive posture until reinforcements arrived from the U.S. mainland.

North Korea's nuclear and missile threats are the most serious threats so we plan to speed up development of our three layer defense system, consisting of Kill Chain, KAMD and KMPR."

The three layer defense aims to preemptively strike and destroy key North Korean facilities when a threat is deemed imminent.

President Moon made clear that there shouldn't be any war, but he emphasized that deterrence is based on a strong defense.

He also pointed out that Seoul will lead all security issues regarding the Korean peninsula.

One of President Moon's campaign pledges is for Seoul to regain wartime operational control from Washington at an earlier date.

Seoul handed over OPCON to the U.S. shortly after the start of the Korean War in 1950, and if war breaks out on the peninsula, the commander of the U.S. Forces in Korea will take a leading role.

Seoul plans to speed up this transfer to the early 2020s from the current mid-2020s.

The ministry also reaffirmed its determination to root out corruption related to arms development and procurement.'

US, SOUTH KOREA DISCUSSED OPTIONS ON N.KOREA, DEPLOYED WARSHIP TO JAPAN

N.KOREA TENSIONS - KIM WARNS PACIFIC & GUAM THE NEXT TARGETS

Arirang News, Go News, Fox News

Published on Aug 26, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/StimmeKorea

Pyongyang, August 26 (KCNA) -- A target-striking contest of the special operation forces of the Korean People's Army (KPA) to occupy islands took place on the Day of Songun, the 57th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of the Songun revolutionary leadership.

Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, guided the target-strike contest.

He was greeted by KPA Vice Marshal Ri Myong Su, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, Army General Ri Yong Gil, first vice-chief of the KPA General Staff and director of the General Operational Bureau, Army Col. General Pak Jong Chon, director of the Artillery Bureau of the KPA, and other commanding officers of the KPA at the drill ground.

The respected Supreme Commander heard a report on the program of the enemy target-striking contest at an observation post and issued an order to start the contest after going round the special operation forces which took up attack positions.

Airplanes which received an order for sortie ceaselessly hit hard the enemy targets.

And multiple-missile launchers of different calibers and self-propelled gun howitzers fired in salvo.

Shells hit the islands simulating Paekryong and Big Yonphyong islands.

A combat of the special operation forces to occupy the islands of the enemy started.

Combatants, who landed on enemy targets after dropping from light transports flying at a low altitude and infiltrated by stealth into the islands from underwater, rained fire at the enemy before they came to their senses.

Combatants who took rubber boats closed in upon the enemy camp and landed by surprise.

Combatants wiped out the desperate enemy with various combat methods.

Such enemy targets as the headquarters of the puppet 6th marine brigade and the headquarters of the unit for defending Yonphyong Island situated on Paekryong and Big Yonphyong Islands were enveloped in flames in a moment and shouts of hurrahs rocked heaven and earth.

Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction over the successful target-striking contest.

Saying that the officers and men of the special operation forces are in high spirits, he highly appreciated the realistic organization of battle and commanding of drill true to the Party's policy of bringing about a radical turn in training.

What he regarded to be good in this contest is that formalism has been overcome in training and it has been put on a diversified and multilateral basis, he said, stressing the need for the officers and men of the special operation forces to focus on improving the quality of training and strengthen drills of arms and special arms and coordinated drills.

He said that in the future, too, the KPA should organize more drills simulating real battle for rounding off coordination among all services and arms, remarkably strengthen the combat capability in order to prepare for any forms of operational fields and combat conditions, and wipe out the strongholds of aggression where the enemy are entrenched once an order of attack is issued.

He noted that KPA should firmly adhere to the ideological and moral qualities peculiar to our revolutionary armed forces, which no other country's army can have, and should think of mercilessly wiping out the enemy with arms only and occupying Seoul at one go and the southern half of Korea.

He underlined the need to positively arouse the officers and men to the struggle to attain the KPA's goal for army building.

After the target-striking contest, the chief of the KPA General Staff announced the standing of the contest. -0-

Timeline to be updated as necessary:

• 1976–81 – North Korea commences its missile development program using Scud-B from the Soviet Union and a launchpad from Egypt.

• 1984 - First Scud-B missile test firing

• 1988 - Operational deployment of Scud-B and Scud-C missiles.

• 1990 - First Rodong missile test.

• 1993 North Korean missile test - (May 29/30, 1993) - Nodong

• 1998 - North Korea fires off its first ballistic missile, the Unha-1 rocket, also known as the Taepodong-1 missile, from the launch site of Musudan-ri in North Hamgyong Province.

• 1999 - North Korea agrees to a moratorium on long-range missile tests.

• 2002 - North Korea pledges to extend moratorium on missile tests beyond 2003.

• 2004 - North Korea reaffirms moratorium.

• 2005 - North Korea fires short-range missile into Sea of Japan.

• 2006 North Korean missile test - (July 5, 2006) - Taepodong-2 failed

• 2009 - Failed orbit of the Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite aboard an Unha-2 carrier rocket (April 5, 2009)

• 2009 North Korean missile test (July 4, 2009)

• 2012 - Failed launch of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 satellite aboard an Unha-3 carrier rocket (April 13, 2012)

• 2012 - Successful launch of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 satellite aboard a three stage rocket (December 12, 2012)

• 2013 North Korean missile tests (May 18–20, 2013 - part of 2013 Korean crisis)

• 2014 North Korean missile tests (March 2014) including Nodong, success

• 2015- North Korea claims to launch a missile from a submarine (May 2015)

• 2016 - Successful launch of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 satellite (Feb. 7, 2016)

• 2016 - Test of engine designed for an intercontinental ballistic missile (April, 2016)

• 2016 - North Korea claims to launch a Pukkuksong-1 missile capable of striking the United States (August 2016). The missile is a Submarine-launched ballistic missile.

• 2016 - Failed North Korean ballistic missile launch (Oct 15, 2016)-

• 2016 – Failed launch of an intermediate-range missile (October 19, 2016)

• 2017 – North Korea test-fired a Pukguksong-2 missile over the Sea of Japan. This was the first launch of the new medium-range ballistic missile (February 11, 2017)

• 2017 – North Korea launches four ballistic missiles from the Tongchang-ri launch site in the northwest. Some flew 620 mi (1,000 km) before falling into the Sea of Japan. (March 6, 2017)

• 2017 – North Korea test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile from its eastern port of Sinpo into the Sea of Japan (April 4, 2017)

• 2017 – North Korea test-fired an unidentified land-based missile from the naval base in Sinpo but it exploded almost immediately after the takeoff (April 15, 2017).

• 2017 - North Korea test-fired an unidentified missile from Pukchang airfield (April 28, 2017). Missile, believed to be a medium-range KN-17 ballistic missile, falters and breaks apart minutes after liftoff.

• 2017 - North Korea test-fired a Hwasong-12 missile from a test site in the area of Kusong (May 13, 2017). The missile, later revealed to be an intermediate range ballistic missile, traveled 30 minutes, reached an altitude of more than 2,111.5 km, and flew a horizontal distance of 789 km (489 miles), before falling into the Sea of Japan. Such a missile would have a range of at least 4,000, reaching Guam, to 6,000 km.

• 2017- North Korea test-fired another Pukguksong-2 medium-range ballistic missile from Pukchang airfield (May 21, 2017), which traveled approximately 300 miles before falling into the Sea of Japan. The missile landed about 217 miles from North Korea's east coast.

• 2017 - North Korea Fired a Short Range Ballistic Missile into the Sea of Japan (May 29, 2017). It traveled 450 km.

• 2017 - North Korea fired several missiles into the Sea of Japan (June 8, 2017). They are believed to be anti-ship missiles. The South Korean military said the launches show the reclusive regime's "precise targeting capability."

• 2017 - North Korea tested a new rocket engine that could possibly be fitted to an intercontinental ballistic missile (June 23, 2017).

• 2017 – North Korea tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Hwasong-14 on July 4. It launched from the Panghyon Aircraft Factory 8 km southeast of Panghyon Airport. It was aimed straight up at a lofted trajectory and reached more than 2,500 km into space. It landed 37 minutes later, more than 930 km from its launch site, into Japan's exclusive economic zone. Aiming long, the missile would have traveled 7,000-8,000 km or more, reaching Alaska, Hawaii, and maybe Seattle. Its operational range would be farther, bringing a 500 kg payload to targets in most of the contiguous United States 9,700 km away.

• 2017- The 14th missile test carried out by North Korea in 2017 was another ICBM launched at 23:41 North Korea time (15:41 GMT) from Chagang Province in the north of the country on July 28, 2017. Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Boston, and New York appear to be within range. The missile's reentry vehicle (RV) was seen by people in Japan as it entered the atmosphere and landed near the northernmost Japanese island, Hokkaido. Analysis later revealed that the RV broke up on re-entry; further testing would be required. The CIA made an assessment expecting adequate performance of the RV under the different stresses of a shallower trajectory towards the continental US.

2017: North Korea test fires three short range ballistic missiles from the Kangwon province on August 26. Two travel approximately 250 kilometers in a northeastern direction and one explodes immediately after launch.

According to Arirang News, Yu Joonhee Reporter, A chorus of condemnation is streaming in from across the world,... following North Korea's latest missile provocation.

Strong reactions have come out of Japan's government in particular,... after it was forced to warn local residents to take shelter,... as the missile, whizzed over its territory.

Yu Joonhee reports. Japan was rattled on Tuesday morning... after Pyongyang fired a missile that flew over its northern province of Hokkaido,... the first time a North Korean rocket had violated the country's airspace since 1998.

Local residents were ordered to take shelter, while train services were temporarily halted, as the missile cut across the country's skies, and out towards the Pacific Ocean.

Tokyo's denouncement of the regime's action, was immediate and swift... with Japan's Cabinet Minister Yoshihide Suga also promising a firm response. "This ballistic missile passed over our nation and represents the greatest and most serious threat to the nation ever. It also is a threat to the peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region."

Other leaders and top officials across the world have also joined in unison to protest North Korea's latest missile launch.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, slammed the regime in a statement posted on Twitter, saying he was outraged at North Korea's "reckless provocations".

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also condemned the reclusive regime, while calling on nations across the globe, to tighten the screws on the North.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters on Tuesday, that he spoke with President Donald Trump over the phonewhere he was assured... Washington was standing "100 percent" with Japan.

The two allies, along with South Korea have requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss North Korea's missile launch.

The UNSC will convene on late Tuesday, where Prime Minister Abe is expected to request council members to pile further pressure on Pyongyang.

President Trump, White House statement released that all options are on the table on Augusts 29th, 2017.

According to UN August 29th, 2017:

29 August 2017 – The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the latest ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which flew over Japan, as well as the series of launches that took place on 25 August.

Convening a formal meeting this evening immediately following urgent, closed-door consultations, the Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement through which it condemned the DPRK for its “outrageous actions” and demanded that the North-East Asia country “immediately cease all such actions.”

“The Security Council stresses that these DPRK actions are not just a threat to the region, but to all UN Member States,” the statement continued, expressing the 15-member body's grave concern that the DPRK is, by conducting such a launch over Japan, “as well as its recent actions and public statements,” deliberately undermining regional peace and stability and have caused grave security concerns around the world.

Moreover, the Council demanded that the DPRK abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes “in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and immediately cease all related activities” and not conduct any further tests or provocations.

Earlier today, Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the latest ballistic missile launch, in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

“The launch undermines regional security and stability and efforts to create space for dialogue,” said a statement issued by UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko.

According to press reports, early Tuesday morning, the DPRK launched a ballistic missile that travelled some 2,700 kilometers, flying over Japan before crashing into the Pacific Ocean.

“The Secretary-General calls on the Government of the DPRK to fully comply with its international obligations and to work to re-open channels of communication,” the statement said, adding that Mr. Guterres remains in close contact with all parties concerned.

Trump Dayz, Arirang News, CNN, GoNews, Youtupe Mania, Fox News:

Asia 6:49 A.M. South Korea time, the first of three missile launches were detected.

And then two more were fired within the next half an hour.

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, they were fired from Kitdaeryong in the eastern part of Kangwon-do Province, flying some 250 kilometers into the East Sea. The facility place site, Kitdaeryong is which borders South Korea. It is used for launches of short to medium-range missiles and has a pad for mobile launchers.

The U.S. Pacific Command also said its initial assessment indicates three short-range ballistic missiles were fired.

However, the second is said to have exploded shortly after launch.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, confirmed that the missiles did not pose a threat to North America.

President Moon Jae-in was said to have immediately been informed of the launch, and a National Security Council meeting was convened to formulate a response.

The launches are being interpreted as a protest against the joint South Korea-U.S. military drills, called the Ulchi Freedom Guardian, which began this week.

Pyongyang labels the exercises as a provocative rehearsal for an invasion, while South Korea and the U.S. insist they are purely defensive in nature.

The North's latest missile provocation comes after two successful ICBM launches last month.

Since then, new UN sanctions have been imposed, and a war of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un escalated, with the U.S. territory of Guam threatened and the international community on edge.

However, after weeks of no missile activity from North Korea, the United States had started to express hope that perhaps the regime was starting to back down.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, said he was pleased to see the regime had demonstrated some level of restraint, while President Trump said he respected that Kim Jong-un was starting to respect the U.S.

August 25th launch could be seen as a rejection of that claim.

The ballistic missle facilities are located in Musudan-ri and it is a rocket launching site in North Korea at 40°51′N, 129°40′E. It lies in southern North Hamgyong province, near the northern tip of the East Korea Bay. The area was formerly known as Taep'o-dong (대포동), from which the Taepodong rockets take their name.

Kittaeryŏng site is located in Kangwon province, which borders South Korea. It is used for launches of short to medium-range missiles and has a pad for mobile launchers.

Kalgol-dong site is located in Chagang province and houses Hwasong-5/6 missiles, targeting South Korea

Kusŏng site is located in North P'yongan province and houses Rodong missiles. It targets U.S. forces in Japan.

Okp’yŏng-dong site is located in Kangwon province and houses Hwasong and Rodong missiles.

Pongdong-ri site is located on North Korea's west coast, about 50 km south of the North Korean-Chinese border.

According to Youtupe Mania, North Korea waned U.K:

The media reported: Before shooting the Ballistic Missile from North Korea, the North Korean state media shows photo of what appears to be regime's latest SLBM & ICBM, The following shown by Ariring News

According to Arirang News, Kim Hyo-sun reports Fresh new image from the regime appears to be boasting of its techncal capabilities,showing the new submarine-launched ballistic missile on the regime's state-run media.

This, after its leader Kim Jong-un ordered for more production of rocket engines and nuclear warheads for ballistic missiles at a chemicals research institute

Watchers say this could be an indirect message that the regime could test fire the missile soon.

North Korea's state-run media has shown a photo of what is presumed to be a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, called the Pukguksong-3.

It's the first time the regime has revealed information about its new SLBM.

The media outlet also revealed information about its new intercontinental ballistic missile, what looks like the Hwasong-13.

The same photos were shown behind North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as he visited a chemicals research institute to observe and learn about the process of manufacturing ICBMs.

Kim ordered the institute to expand the production of both rocket warhead tips and solid-fuel rocket engines, required for ballistic missiles launched from submarines.

As the U.S.-based North Korea monitoring website, 38 North recently said satellite images show Pyongyang could be preparing for a new SLBM launch, pundits say the photo can be perceived as an indirect message that its test launch could be imminent.

The regime launched the Pukguksong-1 in August last year, and the Pukguksong-2 earlier this year.

Experts say both missiles used solid fuel rocket engines.

According toS-Korea Institute at John Hopkins SAIS,

Dated April 25, 2017. Young-Keun Chang, Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Director of Global Surveillance Research Center at Korea Aerospace University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

In Kim Jong Un’s 2017 New Year’s speech, he announced that North Korea is in the final stage of preparations to test launch an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM). Since then, North Korean media has repeatedly threatened that the launch will occur at a time and place of the North Korean leader’s choosing. On February 12, following multiple failures of the Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), North Korea conducted a test launch of a new type of IRBM, the “Pukguksong-2.” Although not quite a mobile ICBM, this test suggests that Pyongyang has made greater-than-expected progress toward the test launch of a solid-fuel ICBM. North Korea also unveiled what appears to be its new solid propellant ICBM, presumed to be the Pukguksong-3, enclosed in a canister in the massive military parade on April 15.

Pukkuksong-2/KN-15 is Medium-range ballistic missile Used by North Korea

Manufacturered by North Korea which is Produced 2016

Specifications: Length ~9m, Diameter ~1.4m

Warhead nuclear, conventional the Engine is Solid fuel rocket Propellant Solid range: 1,200km ~ 2,000km (est) Launches with platform 8x8 tracked TEL.

11 February 2017, about 8:00am in North Pyongan, Pyongyang Standard Time, out come was success :

The report stated that United States and South Korea military were initially trying to determine whether the missile was a Rodong-1 or a modified Musudan missile, with some analysis by Jeffrey Lewis of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies suggesting this test be treated as North Korean's test of an ICBM first stage.

However, North Korea announced less than a day later that this is a successful land-based variant, named Pukguksong-2, a new Korean's nuclear capable strategic weapon that uses high-angle trajectory with due consideration of the safety of neighboring countries.

KCNA also announced that this test is the upgraded, extended-range version of its submarine-launched ballistic missile (see above), which also uses a solid fuel engine, that this allows them to verify a "feature of evading interception," and that this represents "the mobility and operation of the new type missile launching truck".

Military sources from South Korea note that this missile reached an altitude of 550 km (340 miles) and flew a distance of about 500 km, landing off its east coast, towards Japan.

Kim Jong Un recently announced during his New Year's that his country is in the final stages of testing its ICBM.

This launch occurred during a state visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the golf resort of President Trump in Florida and also the first missile test under Trump's administration. The two heads of state presented a united front in response. At the White House on Friday, Shinzo Abe called the test absolutely intolerable and said that Trump 'assured the United States will always stand with Japan 100 percent.

21 May 2017, about 4:29pm Pyongyang Standard Time 21 May 2017, about 4:29pm Pyongyang Standard Time outcome was success:

On May 21st, another successful missile test occurred, following the same lofted trajectory, with identical range and apogee. Following the test, North Korea reported that it was the final test launch to verify all technical characteristics performed "perfect" and initial operating capability and mass-production would soon proceed. The launch site was geolocated to 39.6180283°N 125.8035851°E.

Professor, Young-Keun Chang, says that The transition from liquid to solid propellant missiles will bring about a fundamental paradigm shift in North Korean missile systems employing solid propellant rocket motors could easily achieve the range performance required to hit the US mainland in the future, making it a serious potential threat to the United States.

Breaking News August 21, 2017

According to Arirang News:

South Korea, U.S. joint military exercises should not be taken by North Korea as a pretext for any future provocation.

That's President Moon Jae-in as the two allies kick off their annual drills designed to ensure readiness against any possible provocation by the North.

Our chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung reports.

Full readiness against any possible provocation... ordered South Korean President Moon Jae-in to his military as they launched their annual joint exercises with the U.S. on Monday.

President Moon stresses defensive nature of UFG exercises}Speaking to his Cabinet on the first day of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian drills... the South's commander-in-chief also made clear the nature of the joint drills which North Korea has long denounced as a war rehearsal to invade Pyongyang.

(Korean)

"The Ulchi Freedom Guardian drills are defensive exercises intended to ensure our defense readiness in protecting the lives and safety of our people.

이번을지훈련은우리국민의생명과안전을보호하기위한민관군의방어태세를점검하기위한것입니다. 방어적성격의연례적인훈련이며,

North Korea must not distort our efforts to maintain peace and should not use the drills as a pretext for further provocation."

북한은평화를지키기위한우리의노력을왜곡해서는안될것이며, 이를빌미로상황을악화시키는도발적인행동을해서도안될것입니다.

President Moon called out on the North's leadership saying it is, in fact, Pyongyang's continued provocations that make the Seoul, Washington joint drills necessary.

The liberal leader did, however, reaffirm that the door to dialogue for peaceful resolution remains wide open should the isolated regime choose to take that path.

(Korean)

"Not only will North Korea's courageous decision help ease military tensions in and around the Korean peninsula, it will ensure a stable and prosperous future for the regime."

북한이용기있는선택을한다면한반도를둘러싼군사적대립이완화되고우리스스로한반도평화를지켜낼수있으며국제사회와협력하여안정과번영의미래를가져올수있을것입니다.

President Moon convenes NSC meeting on 1st day of joint drills} Earlier in the morning, the president chaired a meeting of his National Security Council as Seoul and Washington forged ahead their first

large-scale military exercise since North Korea successfully flight-tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles in July.

President Moon ordered the two militaries to remain on high alert and vigorously strike back in the event of any hostile action by Pyongyang.

"Again, the ball has landed in North Korea's court. How Pyongyang responds in the next few days will decide the security situation in the Northeast Asian region.

Experts say... however, that the move by Pyongyang will be carefully calculated this time around... given the recent tensions... and that should be an indicator of whether the North is really serious about some room for negotiation.

Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House."

Breaking News August 20, 2017

According to DOD:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2017 — A joint U.S.-South Korean computer-simulated defensive exercise set to kick off tomorrow is meant to strengthen joint efforts for the defense of South Korea, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today.

Ulchi Freedom Guardian, which runs to Aug. 31, is focusing on command post operations for the integration of efforts, Mattis told reporters traveling with him while en route to Jordan on the first leg of an overseas trip.

"This right now is an exercise to make certain that we're ready to defend South Korea and our allies over there," he said, adding that "because of the specific circumstance, we want it to be a command post-heavy, command post exercise."

The exercise is defensive in nature, Mattis said, noting that joint exercises have been going on for decades. The exercise operates transparently and is carefully planned out to prevent any misinterpretation on what is occurring, he said.

"It's calculated to not allow for miscalculation," he added. The number of troops involved is because of the focus of this year's exercise -- command and control -- and not in response to any factor from North Korea, he explained.

Highlights Long-Standing Partnership

Ulchi Freedom Guardian is designed to enhance readiness, protect the region and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula, Defense Department officials said. About 17,500 U.S. service members will participate, with about 3,000 coming from installations outside South Korea. They will join military forces from major South Korean units representing all services, as well as South Korean government participants.

In addition, United Nations Command forces from seven nations -- Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom -- will participate.

Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission observers will monitor the exercise to ensure it complies with the 1953 armistice agreement, defense officials said. Training exercises like Ulchi Freedom Guardian are carried out in the spirit of the Oct. 1, 1953, South Korean-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and in accordance with the armistice, the officials added.

"These exercises also highlight the longstanding military partnership, commitment and enduring friendship between the two nations, help to ensure peace and security on the peninsula, and reaffirm U.S. commitment to the alliance," a defense official said in the statement announcing the exercise.

(Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoD)

Breaking News August 16, 2017

According to DOD:

Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following readout:

On August 16, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo to congratulate him on his confirmation as ROK Minister of National Defense and to discuss a range of U.S.-ROK Alliance issues.

Both Secretary Mattis and Minister Song strongly condemned North Korea’s second intercontinental ballistic missile test on July 28 and resolved to continue to closely coordinate responses to the North Korean threat.

Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to defend the ROK and emphasized the military’s role in providing extended deterrence. He expressed his commitment to the on-going diplomatic effort to achieve the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Both Secretary Mattis and Minister Song reiterated the importance of the U.S.-ROK Alliance and expressed their commitment to build a stronger partnership based on mutual trust and cooperation. Secretary Mattis and Minister Song will be meeting later this month in Washington D.C.

Exercise to Strengthen Efforts in Defense of South Korea, Mattis Says

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

According to Secretary State, DOD, Fox News, NHK, CNN, Golden State, Youtupe Mania, Arirang News; Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson conduct a news conference with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and Foreign Minister Taro Kono for a security consultative committee at the State Department in Washington, Dean Acheson Auditorium, Washington, DC on August 17, 2017.

Here is full Remarks With Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, and Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera at a Press Availability:

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, good afternoon. I’d like to start by acknowledging the incident in Barcelona which has the hallmarks, it appears, of yet another terrorist attack. We offer our condolences to the loss of life and the injuries that have occurred to so many innocent people yet again. We will continue to monitor the situation. We stand ready to assist law enforcement, national security authorities in Spain. Our consulates in Barcelona and our entire Mission Spain team are currently assisting Americans in Spain who are affected by these events. We ask U.S. citizens in the area to let your loved ones know you are safe. Terrorists around the world should know the United States and our allies are resolved to find you and bring you to justice.

Secretary Mattis and I are grateful for the opportunity today to host Foreign Minister Kono and Defense Minister Onodera today. The bonds of America and Japan have – forged over previous decades will continue to endure. Today’s honest and productive discussions reaffirmed our mutual commitment to confronting threats to regional peace and security.

As you might imagine, we spent a fair amount of time discussing North Korea. North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile and other missile launches are unacceptable provocations, and they must stop immediately. We agreed to bolster our alliance capabilities to deter and respond to North Korea’s unacceptable behavior and other challenges to regional security. In cooperation with other nations, we will continue to employ diplomatic and economic pressure to convince North Korea to end its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile program.

I think, as was clear by all peace-seeking nations and the unanimous UN Security Council resolution that was adopted, as well as very strong statements being made by the ASEAN nations and others throughout the world, we all seek the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea. We again call upon all nations to fully enforce the UN Security Council resolution imposing additional sanctions on the regime in North Korea. We will remain vigilant against the North Korean threats through our military preparedness.

The United States will honor our treaty agreements with Japan without reservation, whether in times of peace or in the face of conflict. We will also cooperate to advance trilateral and multilateral security and defense cooperation with other partners in the region, notably the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, and other southeast Asian countries.

We also discussed our concern about the security environment in the East China Sea and South China Sea. The United States and Japan oppose any unilateral action that seeks to undermine Japan’s administration of the Senkaku Islands, and we reaffirmed that Article V of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty covers these islands. We also oppose militarization activity in the South China Sea. Maritime disputes should be settled peacefully and maintain the freedom of navigation in accordance with the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea.

We maintain our unwavering commitment to the 2015 Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation, and we have instructed our staff to accelerate their implementation. We also will explore new and expanded activities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance training and exercises, research and development, capacity building, and joint or shared use of facilities. Our conversation stressed the critical role that U.S. extended deterrence plays in ensuring the security of Japan, as well as the peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region, and we plan to deepen our engagement through the extended deterrence of dialogue.

Both the United States and Japan are committed to the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, which seeks to maintain operational and deterrent capability while limiting the impact on local communities. I welcome the resumption of the plan to construct the Futenma replacement at the Camp Schwab Henosaki[1] area and adjacent waters, as this is the only solution that addresses operational, political, financial, and strategic concerns, and avoids the continued use of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. We hope to avoid further delays that will impede our ability to provide peace and security to Japan and the region. We do express our sincere appreciation to Okinawa for hosting U.S. military personnel and for playing a central role in the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The United States and Japan will continue our shared resolve to protect our citizens and work for security and stability in northeast Asia. Our conversations today reaffirmed that we are stronger and more secure when we work together, and we will continue that course of action.

And with that, I turn it to Foreign Minister Kono.

FOREIGN MINISTER KONO: (Via interpreter) My name is Taro Kono, Foreign Minister. At the outset, with regard to the incident that occurred in Barcelona, to all those that have been sacrificed and to their families, I’d like to express my deepfelt condolences. And to those that have been injured, I should also like to express my sympathy. Under no reason can terrorism be condoned. We absolutely condemn this. And at this very difficult time, I’d like to express our solidarity to Spain.

At the 2+2 conference between Japan and the United States, we had discussions, which were very rich in substance, allowing us to achieve major outcomes. I’d like to thank Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis and all those who have worked to make the conference a success.

The conference was convened based on instructions from the leaders of the United States and Japan on the occasion of Prime Minister’s Abe visit to the United States in February of this year. The security environment in the Asia Pacific is becoming increasingly severe. Never has there been a time that calls for a more united and concerted response by the United States and Japan. From such a perspective, we had an in-depth discussion on the strategic environment of the Asia Pacific region, beginning with the North Korean situation. At this first 2+2 conference since the start of the Trump administration we were able to reaffirm the strong commitment of the United States and Japan, which is extremely significant, the strong commitment to the region, which is extremely significant.

On North Korea, towards its denuclearization, we agreed we would ramp up effective pressure. We will call on China to take specific measures to make North Korea change its behavior. On the threat of ballistic missiles, as an alliance, we will strengthen our defense posture and capabilities and respond. We have agreed on this point. We have confirmed the importance of cooperation through the security treaty.

We shared our concerns regarding the situation surrounding East and South China Sea. We reaffirmed that the Senkaku Islands are within the scope of Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and that we would oppose any unilateral behavior attempting to undermine Japan’s administration of the Senkaku Islands. For the peace and stability of East Asia and the East China Sea, we will continue to cooperate with the United States.

On the South China Sea, we have confirmed that we need to continue to engage ourselves and watch for any acts which would impede freedom of navigation. Under this severe security environment, under all situations, the alliance must secure seamless response, and it’s extremely important. And we agreed that we would properly examine ways to strengthen the alliance.

And in area of cyberspace and space, we would steadily promote Japan-U.S. cooperation in new areas. We were able to achieve agreement on this.

ROK, Australia, India, and Southeast Asian countries – we will promote more than ever before cooperation and security and defense. The coastal nations of the Indo-Pacific region and with regard to capacity building in the area of marine security, for Japan, we will provide assistance to the tune of approximately $500 million in the three years from this year to 2019. We want to deepen our cooperation with the United States on this front as well. For the transparent economic development of this region between Japan and the United States, we agreed that we would closely cooperate.

At the conference today, we reaffirmed that it is indispensable to steadily promote realignment of the U.S. armed forces in Japan from the perspective of maintaining the deterrence of Japan-U.S. alliance while mitigating the impact on Okinawa and other local regions. In order to avoid Futenma Air Station becoming a permanent facility, it was reaffirmed between the U.S. and Japan that the only solution was relocation to Henoko. I explained that in compliance with the present agreement between Japan and the United States that we would proceed with relocation to Henoko with strong resolve. We will make an all-out effort to realize the complete return of Futenma Air Station. I also pointed out that it is important to make the effort to have the understanding of the local citizens on issues such as that of Kadena Air Base.

As a result of the conference today, we were able to elucidate the path that the Japan-U.S. alliance should pursue in a security environment that is becoming increasingly severe. Based on the results obtained today, we want to firmly move forward with measures to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of a Japan-U.S. alliance. Thank you.

SECRETARY MATTIS: It’s been an honor for us to host Japan’s defense and foreign ministers here. I don’t think anything better demonstrates that importance that our two nations place on this alliance than our counterparts traveling here so soon after assuming their positions.

As you’ve heard, we’ve just completed warm and very productive, detailed conversations about the situation facing our nations, and we’ve achieved very highly useful results. First, of course, we never take alliances for granted, and what we’ve done is we’ve reaffirmed the trust between us.

Second, we have deepened and broadened our combined military efforts by improving on our bilateral relations and exercises. As President Trump noted in February, the United States commitment to defend Japan through the full range of military capabilities is unwavering under Article V of our mutual defense treaty and the extended deterrent commitment.

As demonstrated by the UN Security Council resolution and by the ASEAN communique, the international community also recognizes North Korea as a threat to Asia and to the world. Japan and the Republic of Korea are on the front line against the North Korean threat. We in the United States recognize any confrontation with North Korea would pose an immediate danger to our allies and their populations.

Today’s meeting is a reminder that each nation gains security in concert with other nations. The international community is speaking with one voice: North Korea must stop its dangerous actions as we work to maintain security and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. In light of the serious situation we face, we are accelerating implementation of the 2015 Guidelines for the U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation and continuing to realign U.S. forces in Japan and Guam. Our militaries are also cooperating in new ways, and you’ve heard several of them mentioned here already. This includes our emerging cooperation in such areas as space and counterspace – cyberspace as well as ballistic missile defense and maritime security.

Together, we will deter and, if necessary, defeat any threat. Any initiation of hostilities will be met with an effective and overwhelming response. Our two nations will demonstrate the strength of our alliance by continuing those bilateral activities and by enhancing cooperation with the Republic of Korea. We call on North Korea to choose a better path than one of provocation and threats. Such a path is not in its own best interests nor in the best interest of any other nation.

Thank you. Minister Onodera.

DEFENSE MINISTER ONODERA: (Via interpreter) My name is Onodera. I think we had a wonderful discussion. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt respect to Secretary Mattis and Secretary Tillerson for leading us to have such a great outcome of the meeting. In 2015, we have drawn up the guideline and we have changed the guideline following the new – the new legislation. And since that, the defense cooperation between Japan and U.S. has greatly progressed and the alliance has never been so solid.

However, if we look to the regional strategic environment in front of us, in front of our alliance, we have the pressing issue of North Korea. North Korea has plans to launch ballistic missiles to the waters close to Guam and it is also advancing on their efforts to launch ICBM-class ballistic missiles, miniaturizing nuclear weapons to warheads.

So for this threat of North Korea, at this meeting we agreed to increase the pressure and to strengthen the alliance capability. In light of the threat of North Korea, the four of us confirmed the importance of the unwavering U.S. commitment to extended deterrence. Also, the U.S. forces have been deploying even more assets in the Asia Pacific region and has been showing their commitment visibly to this region. I would like to highly evaluate the efforts of the United States and also, continuing with the United States, I would like to make efforts to enhance the defense capability and defense posture of Japan.

Also, we shared our concerns on East China Sea and South China Sea situation. We will deepen our defense cooperation in securing the peace and stability in East China Sea as well as engaging coastal nations in the South China Sea.

In order to secure a seamless response of the alliance to any situation, we must constantly continue our efforts to strengthen the alliance. Through today’s discussion, we were able to seek out a specific direction for our future efforts. Moving forward, we will accelerate the implementation of a guideline and we will further promote cooperation under the peace and security legislation. We will expand peacetime cooperation such as surveillance and joint training. And furthermore, we will continue to promote cooperation in ballistic missile defense, including acquisition of new assets, and enhanced capability in new domains such as space and cyberspace. Through this, we intend to strengthen further our joint responsive posture. Along with this, in order to strengthen our own defense capability, we intend to review the national defense program and also work on the new midterm defense program, and this was explained in the meeting today.

The presence of the U.S. forces in Japan is at the core for the alliance to function as deterrence. At the same time, the operation of U.S. forces should take into consideration the local residents and secure safety. These are indispensable. From this standpoint, we were able to confirm our steady advancement of the realignment of the U.S. forces in order to reduce the burden on the local people, maintaining the deterrence at the same time. The transfer of Futenma Air Station to Henoko would – is the only solution to avoid continuous usage of the Futenma Air Station, so we will steadily proceed with the construction of this transfer. Kadena Air Base issue and the Osprey are matters that I have renewed my request for the consideration to the local residents and securing the safety. In light of today’s outcome, we would – I would devote myself even further for the securing the safety and security of the people in preparation for any situation to occur.

MS NAUERT: Elise Labott from CNN for Secretary Tillerson. Elise.

QUESTION: Thank you very much. Actually, I’d – I would love if both Secretary Tillerson and Mattis could answer a question on North Korea. You wrote in your op-ed last week that, obviously, the U.S. prefers a diplomatic solution to the crisis in North Korea, but you said that that diplomatic and economic efforts and pressure were, quote, backed by a credible military option. In recent days, the White House strategist Steve Bannon called the ratcheting – the diplomatic and economic ratcheting up of North – tensions with North Korea a, quote, “sideshow.” He said that there was no military solution and that the real issue is an economic war with China. Does this reflect some kind of new opinion by the administration or was he speaking for himself, and are you afraid that comments like this might dilute the credible military deterrent that is backing your diplomatic and economic efforts? Thank you.

SECRETARY TILLERSON: Well, I don’t really have a comment on what Mr. Bannon’s remarks were in that particular interview. I read those. I think we have been quite clear as to what the policy and the posture towards North Korea is, and I think Secretary Mattis and I in that op-ed wanted to inform – as best we were able to do, inform the American people first, but also inform our important friends and allies as to what our approach is.

And our approach has been endorsed by the President. It is reviewed with him periodically in terms of the status of how the approach is working, and it is first and foremost, as you have seen, to undertake a very concerted, deliberate campaign of exerting pressure on the regime in North Korea to an extent that, as best we can tell – and we did study previous attempts over the past two decades. What’s different about this campaign is, I think, the level of international unity around this campaign, the level of cooperation we are getting from China and from others in the region, and the intensity with which we are carrying out the campaign.

Obviously, any diplomatic effort in any situation where you have this level of threat that we’re confronted with – a threat of proportions that none of us like to contemplate – has to be backed by a strong military consequence if North Korea chooses wrongly. And I think that is the message that the President has wanted to send to the leadership of North Korea, and it was really in response to this ever-escalating levels of threat and rhetoric that were coming from the regime in Pyongyang. And you’ve heard the words; you’ve seen the videos that they have produced. I think the President just felt it was necessary to remind the regime of what the consequences for them would be if they chose to carry out those threats. We are prepared. Our – we’re prepared militarily, we’re prepared with our allies to respond if that is necessary. That is not our preferred pathway, and that was – that’s been made clear as well.

So we continue our full-out efforts, working with partners, working with allies, to bring that pressure on the regime in North Korea with a view that at some point, with a unified international message like we’ve never had before, they will realize the level of isolation they find themselves in and that the future that they will face with that level of isolation is bleak and will only become bleaker if they continue this pathway. So that is – our effort is to cause them to want to engage in talks, but engage in talks with an understanding that these talks will led to a different conclusion than talks of the past. And so we will continue that effort diplomatically first and foremost, but knowing that North Korea sits with a significant capability already within their grasp, I think it is only prudent that they fully understand the consequences should they make a bad choice for themselves and, obviously, there are consequences for others as well.

MODERATOR: The next question from Japanese media. Mr. Sugimoto.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter) My name is Sugimoto from Sankei Shimbun newspaper. My question is addressed to Minister Kono and Secretary Tillerson. The question is the following: It’s related to dialogue and pressure in connection with North Korea. With regard to North Korea, what conditions must be met for you to decide that you can start a dialogue? Could you outline your thinking? And in addition, at today’s conference, to China, which has influence over North Korea, you’ve asked for resolute measures to be taken. However – and there was agreement on this. However, up until now, with regard to China, they have not sufficiently applied the kind of pressure that the United States and Japan are seeking. In the efforts made by Japan and the United States, in what respect is it lacking so that you’re – China is not being fully mobilized, please?

FOREIGN MINISTER KONO: (Via interpreter) The July Japan-U.S.-ROK summit meeting confirmed that North Korea, if it changes its course and if it refrains from intimidating and provocative action and toward denuclearization, if it is ready to come back to serious dialogue, these measures to be taken are important, first and foremost. There’s no sense to dialogue for the sake of dialogue; we agreed on this point between Japan and the United States, or Japan, U.S., and ROK at the center.

The international community will continue to apply maximum pressure to North Korea. I think there’s a necessity of doing so. The trade amount with North Korea is such that 90 percent is accounted for by China, and their role is very important. And I agree with that. The new UNSC Resolution 2372, if that’s fully implement – strictly and fully implemented, foreign reserves of North Korea can be decreased to the tune of over $1 billion. China must fully and strictly implement – we would like to encourage China to strictly and fully implement these measures after the 15th. Oil and steel and seafood – China announced that it would restrict importation of this. As we saw an agreement to encourage a specific action by North Korea, we will work on China to take responsible and constructive action, and we would like to continue to seek that China do this.

MS NAUERT: Yeganeh Torbati from Reuters for Secretary Mattis.

QUESTION: Thank you. Secretary Mattis, I wanted to ask you first about Afghanistan. Do you expect to have a decision on the administration’s South Asia strategy after tomorrow’s meeting at Camp David, and what should we expect that strategy to look like? And just very quickly, your service chiefs have spoken about the events of Charlottesville and condemning white supremacy and racism and hate, and I was just wondering if you wanted to add to any of those comments as well. Thank you.

DEFENSE SECRETARY MATTIS: Certainly. First, in response to CNN’s earlier question, I can just assure you that in close collaboration with our allies, there are strong military consequences if DPRK initiates hostilities.

In regards to the Afghanistan meeting tomorrow, we will meet with the President – Secretary Tillerson and I and several others on the national security team. We will move this toward a decision. As I said, I think it was yesterday, publicly, we are coming very close to a decision and I anticipate it in the very near future.

On the service chiefs and the comments after Charlottesville, these are leaders of our diverse armed forces. They simply said the same message that we have lived by for decades and we continue not to serve in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps; we serve in the United States Army, United States Navy, et cetera. And in that regard, it’s a widely diverse force. We look at E Pluribus Unum on our coins. Out of many, one. They were simply emphasizing on the battlefield we are one team and that’s the way we stay.

Thank you.

MODERATOR: One more question from the Japanese media. Mr. Shiga.

QUESTION: My name is Shiga from NHK. I have a question to Secretary Mattis and to Minister Onodera on the missile defense. North Korea has plan to launch some ballistic missile to the surrounding waters of Guam and we are seeing tension mount. In the 2+2 joint statement, the – it is incorporated that Japan’s role would be expanded in the alliance. When the missile is launched, what specific actions would the U.S. take?

And then for Japan, what would Japan’s role be in the missile defense? Also, what would the U.S. expect Japan to do in the case of the launch of the missile?

DEFENSE SECRETARY MATTIS: In the event of a missile launch towards the territory of Japan, Guam, United States, Korea, we would take immediate, specific actions to take it down.

Minister Onodera.

DEFENSE MINISTER ONODERA: (Via interpreter) Yes, simply if – my response would be in the event there’s an attack on Japan, then we will use the asset available to us for the missile defense and we will defend Japan. But should different circumstances occur, then we will solidify the relation that we have with the U.S. with a closer communication, we will defend the country. And that is – we discussed today.

FOREIGN MINISTER KONO: Thank you.

According to Reporter Yu Joonhee, Arirang News Dated August 15, 2017,

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says dialogue between the United States and North Korea is still possible but only if Pyongyang abandons its nuclear program.

In a sign tensions could be easing somewhat, his comments followed a statement from North Korea, where the regime backed down from its threat to launch missiles toward Guam.

Yu Joonhee reports.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday that the U.S. remains interested in finding a way to restart talks... but the onus is on North Korea, to create a suitable climate.

"We continue to be interested in finding a way to get to a dialogue, but that's up to him."

He said the regime must *first send a clear signal. it's willing to put a stop to its ballistic missile tests, before any dialogue can take place.

Tillerson declined to comment on North Korea's latest statement however, where the regime appeared to back down from its threat to fire missiles toward Guam.

On Monday, Pyongyang's state-run news agency said Kim Jong-un would watch the actions of the U.S.,. before deciding on whether or not to launch missiles at the island territory.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis said the U.S. stands ready to defend itself if the regime carries out hostile actions.

" Here in the Pentagon, we're part of the Sentinel for our nation and we stand ready to defend our nation."

With Washington and Pyongyang taking a step back... from trading belligerent threats, there's hope for progress on the diplomatic front.

Reports say back-channel dialogue between the two countries had been taking place even during the height of their harsh verbal exchanges last week.

Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un inspected the Command of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army (KPA) on Aug. 14.

He examined the plan for a long time and discussed it with the commanding officers in real earnest.

He praised the KPA Strategic Force for having drawn up a close and careful plan as intended by the Party and examined the firing preparations for power demonstration.

Being told by the commander of the Strategic Force that it is waiting for the order of the Party Central Committee after rounding off the preparations for the enveloping fire at Guam, he said with great satisfaction that the spirit of Hwasong artillerymen is very high and he was freshly determined, seeing by himself the combat preparedness and the sky-high spirit of the Hwasong artillerymen of the large combined unit.

He said that the U.S. imperialists put their own necks into the noose through their reckless military confrontation racket, adding that he would watch a little longer the conduct of the foolish and stupid Yankees spending a hard time of every minute for their miserable lot.

He said that he wants to advise the U.S., which is running helter-skelter to driving the situation on the Korean peninsula into the worst brink of explosion, to take into full account the gains and losses with clear head, whether the present situation is more unfavorable for which side.

In order to defuse the tensions and prevent the dangerous military conflict on the Korean peninsula, it is necessary for the U.S. to make a proper option first and show it in action, as it deployed huge nuclear strategic equipment around the peninsula to provoke the DPRK, he said, adding: The U.S. should stop at once its arrogant provocation and unilateral pressure on the DPRK and provoke the latter no longer.

He said that if the Yankees persist in their extremely dangerous actions around the Korean peninsula, testing the self-restraint of the DPRK, the latter will make a crucial decision as it had already declared, warning the U.S. that it should think reasonably and judge properly so as not to suffer another shame by the DPRK under the eyes of the world.

If the planned fire of power demonstration is carried out due to the U.S. rashness going beyond the limit line, this will be the most delightful historic moment when our Hwasong artillerymen wring the windpipes of the Yankees and point daggers at their necks, he said, underlining the need to always stand on fire readiness for going into action once our Party decides.

Then the Supreme Leader went round a military training school and a gymnasium and called for firmly establishing Juche in education and steadily improving the quality of military training to prepare all the Hwasong artillerymen of the large combined unit to be fighters good at the campaign of brains, well versed in the modern military science and technology, the enemy's changed ways of war and Korean-style war methods against them.

He stressed the need to establish a system of reeducating commanding officers and technical personnel of the Strategic Force in line with the modernization and upgrading of ballistic rockets.

Going round the supply service facilities of the large combined unit, including a dining hall of sub-unit, he showed paternal care for servicepersons' life.

He enjoyed a performance given by an art squad of the large combined unit at the soldiers hall.

Expressing satisfaction over the good performance which vividly represented the operational mission and features of the Strategic Force and the desire, thoughts and feelings of the Hwasong artillerymen, he gave precious teachings for the art squad's performance activities.

The Strategic Force has a very important position and duty to play in carrying out the strategic plans of the Workers' Party of Korea, he said, calling on the Strategic Force to firmly establish the monolithic leadership system, the monolithic command and management system of the Supreme Commander over the nuclear force and further complete the Juche-oriented rocket strike methods.

Saying with deep trust that it is reassuring to have the KPA Strategic Force, reliable treasured sword guaranteeing the everlasting future of the country and nation, he expressed expectation and belief that all the officers and men of the Strategic Force would bring about a fresh turn in rounding off the combat preparedness, well aware of the important mission they have assumed before the Party, the country and the people.

With his deep trust, the officers and men of the KPA Strategic Force hardened their resolve to win the final victory in the standoff with the U.S. by scorching with super strong strikes the targets in south Korea, Japan, operational area in the Pacific and the U.S. mainland, flying the sacred red flags of the Party and flags of the Supreme Commander at every matchless launching pad once he gives an order.

According to Washington Post, Andrew deGrandpre dated August 12, 2017, Public safety officials in Guam have distributed a two-page pamphlet advising island residents how to prepare and react should North Korea follow through on threats to launch a nuclear strike against the U.S. territory.

The document includes several ominous warnings, the first being: “Do not look at the flash or fireball — It can blind you.”

It also highlights steps for determining what shelters are “safe” — and for removing radioactive material that may accumulate on people's clothes, skin and hair. (Do use shampoo, it says. Don't use conditioner, as it will bind the toxins to your hair.)

The fact sheet's title: “In Case of Emergency — Preparing for Imminent Missile Threat.”

Distributed by Guam's Homeland Security Department, the guidance comes as President Trump trades increasingly hostile and alarming statements with the regime in Pyongyang, which has said it's developing plans to attack the Western Pacific atoll.

Amid escalating tensions, Trump tweeted Friday: “Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely.”

[Military is ‘locked and loaded,’ Trump says in latest warning to North Korea]

The government fact sheet would seem a jarring departure from an announcement from Guam Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo, who sought Wednesday to reassure the island's 160,000 citizens, saying in a video address:

“I know we woke up to media reports of North Korea’s talk of revenge on the United States and this so-called newfound technology that allows them to target Guam. I'm working with Homeland Security, the rear admiral and the United States to ensure our safety, and I want to reassure the people of Guam that currently there is no threat to our island or the Marianas.”

from North Korea events” and that “there are several levels of defense, all strategically placed to protect our island and our nation.”

Though officials on the island are clearly mindful of the heated back-and-forth between Washington and Pyongyang, the guidance issued to residents Friday is simply an extension of long-standing public safety practices designed for typhoons and other natural disasters that menace the region.

“Our office hasn't received too many concerned calls,” Jenna Gaminde, a spokeswoman for Guam Homeland Security, told The Washington Post on Friday about the U.S.-North Korean rhetoric. “We've had a few here and there, [but] our lines blow up when there's a natural event. People are calm. We try to assure them there are defense capabilities in place, and people are putting their faith in them.”

[Why North Korea threatened Guam, the tiny U.S. territory with big military power]

Approximately 2,200 miles from North Korea, the island houses about 7,000 U.S. troops, including special operations forces, spread between Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam. It's a launching point for the strategic bombers that make routine show-of-force flights over the Korean peninsula, and for nuclear submarines home ported there.

Local public safety officials have maintained constant communication between base commanders and the governor's office, Gaminde said.

The fact sheet, first reported Friday by the Pacific Daily News, explains that brick or concrete structures are the safest places to shelter from nuclear fallout, and that those with thick walls and roofs best absorb radioactive particles. Plan to remain inside for at least 24 hours, it says.

Those who can't get indoors or behind some type of protections should simply lie down and cover their heads.

“If the explosion is some distance away,” the fact sheet says, “it could take 30 seconds or more for the blast wave to hit.”

To prevent radioactive material from spreading, people should remove their outer clothing, seal it in a plastic bag and get as far away as possible, the fact sheet says. If possible, shower with soap and water — no conditioner! — but be careful not to scratch the skin. Blow your nose, and wipe out your ears and eyelids, it says.

Officials say the fact sheet was created during a period of similar tension four years ago and dusted off now with hopes that it would encourage residents to plan.

Still, Dee Cruz, a senior watch officer with Guam Homeland Security, concedes that “folks here are concerned because there's a lot of talk about it” — alluding to extensive media coverage of the public statements made by Trump and his counterpart in North Korea, Kim Jong Un.

The island remains on alert, she said, but its government and its people have steeled themselves for the worst.

“Our island has been a target since 2013, and even before that,” Cruz told The Post. “We're ready, and prepared, as much as possible.”

On August 12, 2017, President Trump President Trump emphasized Pyongyang should realize the gravity of his earlier comments that the military solutions were fully in place, locked and loaded should North Korea act unwisely. The war of words between the United States and North Korea has reached an alarming point amid attempts by other US officials to resolve the situation diplomatically.

Meanwhile, AMAZING: President Donald Trump Calls the Governor of Guam says "We are with you 1000%" Golden State Times, GoNews reports via youtube that Footage of Trump phone call, with GUAM GOVERNOR on North Korea Threat.

Preparing and Protecting Homeland security and to make safe and global security B-1 Bomber Brothers – ‘FIRE & FURY’ – in a rare SIMULTANEOUS TAKEOFF! (North Korea Latest News.)

Air Force Tests Massive B-2 Stealth Upgrade

US Military Newssident

On August 6, 2017, DPRK continue to protest that DPRK will not give up nuclear Missile produceing, and DPRK started provocating and blaming United States after, UN Security Council passes a resolution 2317 unanimously for much tougher sanctions against North Korea. The resolution targets North Korea's primary exports, including coal, iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood. The sanctions also target other revenue streams, such as banks and joint ventures with foreign companies. The U.N. sanction resolution 2371 targets North Korea’s main exports, slashing their annual revenue by $1 billion.

The resolution also bans countries from hiring additional North Korean workers, a move designed to shut off another source of hard currency for the Pyongyang regime. A Security Council diplomat said the workers are kept in deplorable conditions in many countries. Haley termed it "modern slavery."

The resolution also placed nine people and four business entities -- including a major North Korean bank -- on a UN blacklist, slapping all with asset freezes or travel bans.

President Trump emphasizing to denuclearization once and for all for DPRK's bulling neighboring countries including United States, especially, GUAM attacking mid August announcement by DPRK.. However, USA Military is Lock and ready If there are any dangerous action starting by DPRK.

According to , Immediate Press Release, Operations Release No: NR-286-17 2017, Statement by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis

Press Operations

Release No: NR-286-17

Aug. 9, 2017

The United States and our allies have the demonstrated capabilities and unquestionable commitment to defend ourselves from an attack. Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council’s unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability. The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people.

President Trump was informed of the growing threat last December and on taking office his first orders to me emphasized the readiness of our ballistic missile defense and nuclear deterrent forces. While our State Department is making every effort to resolve this global threat through diplomatic means, it must be noted that the combined allied militaries now possess the most precise, rehearsed and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on Earth. The DPRK regime’s actions will continue to be grossly overmatched by ours and would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates.

-----

Pyongyang, August 10 (KCNA) – General Kim Rak Gyom, commander of the Korean People’s Army, released the following statement on August 9:

As already clarified, the Strategic Force of the KPA is seriously examining the plan for an enveloping strike at Guam through simultaneous fire of four Hwasong-12 intermediate-range strategic ballistic rockets in order to interdict the enemy forces on the major military bases on Guam and to Signal a crucial warning to the US.

On Tuesday, the KPA Strategic Force is a statement of its spokesman fully warned against the US on its all-round sanctions on the DPRK and moves to maximize military threats to it. But the US president at a gold [SIC] link again let out a load of nonsense about “fire and fury,” failing to grasp the on-going grave situation. This is extremely difficult to obtain.

It seems that he has not yet understood the statement.

Sound dialogue is not possible with such a bereft of reason and only absolute force can work on him. This is the judgment made by the KPA Strategic Force.

The military action of the KPA will take about an effective remedy for restraining the frantic moves of the US in the southern part of the peninsula and its vicinity.

The Hwasong artillerymen of the KPA Strategic Force are replete with a strong determination to fully demonstrate once again the invincible might of the force, which has been developed into a nuclear force of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the world’s

According to Arirang News, dated, August 10, 2017, South Korea issued a firm warning to Pyongyang in response to the regime's recent belligerence. Seoul vowed strong retaliation in response to any attack from up North.

Kim Hyun-bin has the details.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff have issued a strong response to Pyongyang's threat toward Guam and other recent threats to South Korea and the U.S.

The JCS are calling the rhetoric a serious challenge to the Korean people and the Seoul-Washington alliance, and warned that any provocations will cost Pyongyang dearly. "If North Korea ignores our warning and carries out this provocation, it will face strong and firm punishment from our military and the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

The military said it's maintaining a state of stern readiness to counter any North Korean threats.

And with the North's nuclear and missile threats rapidly growing, South Korea aims to get its three-stage defense system done sooner by 2022 rather than the *mid-20's.

South Korean government plans to inject 210 billion dollars into three programs: Kill Chain, Korea and Missile Defense and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation plan.

The Kill Chain system carries out a pre-emptive strike on the North's nuclear and missile facilities when a threat is imminent,... while the KMPR focuses on eliminating the North's leadership. "We are pouring our efforts into bolstering South Korea's defense capabilities by focusing our energy on completing the three-stage defense system."

However, with North Korea's nuclear weapons development advancing more quickly than anticipated, experts say Seoul may have to fast-track its own schedule to get the defense system in place sooner.

S. Korea's military vows retaliation if N. Korea attacks.

Accoding to Washington Post, dated August 11th, 2017, China warns Pyongyang:
Beijing warns Pyongyang: You’re on your own if you go after the United States

BEIJING — China won’t come to North Korea’s aid if it launches missiles threatening U.S. soil and there is retaliation, a state-owned newspaper warned Friday — but it would intervene if Washington strikes first.

The Global Times newspaper is not an official mouthpiece of the Communist Party, but in this case its editorial probably does reflect government policy, experts said.

The stern Chinese warning came as government leaders and politicians around the world urged calm after a series of threats and counterthreats by the U.S. and North Korean governments. The brinkmanship has spread jitters and weighed on global financial markets, which were down Friday for a fourth consecutive day.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday called the escalating rhetoric “the wrong answer.” She pledged her country’s support for “any nonmilitary solutions,” telling reporters in Berlin, “I don’t see a military solution to this conflict.”

Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said there had been an “overwhelming amount” of “belligerent rhetoric” from Washington and Pyongyang. “The side that is stronger and cleverer” will take the first step to defuse tensions, he said.

China has repeatedly warned both Washington and Pyongyang not to do anything that raises tensions or causes instability on the Korean Peninsula, and it strongly reiterated that message Friday.

“The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is complicated and sensitive,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement.

“China hopes that all relevant parties will be cautious in their words and actions, and do things that help to alleviate tensions and enhance mutual trust, rather than walk on the old pathway of taking turns in shows of strength, and upgrading the tensions,” he said.

In an editorial, the Global Times said China should make it clear to both sides that “when their actions jeopardize China’s interests, China will respond with a firm hand.”

“China should also make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten U.S. soil first and the U.S. retaliates, China will stay neutral,” it added. “If the U.S. and South Korea carry out strikes and try to overthrow the North Korean regime and change the political pattern of the Korean Peninsula, China will prevent them from doing so.”

On Tuesday, President Trump threatened to respond to further threats from North Korea by unleashing “fire and fury like the world has never seen.” Pyongyang in turn said it could strike the U.S. territory of Guam in the Western Pacific with ballistic missiles. In his latest salvos in the war of words, Trump said Friday that the U.S. military was “locked and loaded” and that North Korea would “truly regret it” if it attacked Guam.

The saber-rattling has had an impact on world financial markets. Main indexes were down Friday in Frankfurt and Paris, and London’s FTSE 100 touched its lowest level since May. Asian markets also slumped, including South Korea’s KOSPI, dropping 1.8 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average was largely flat after the opening bell.

The Chinese paper’s comments reflect the 1961 Sino-North Korean Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, which obliges China to intervene if North Korea is subject to unprovoked aggression — but not necessarily if Pyongyang starts a war. China has been a key ally of North Korea, helping prop up its economy as it has been hit with repeated rounds of international sanctions.

“The key point is in the first half of the sentence: China opposes North Korea testing missiles in the waters around Guam,” said Cheng Xiaohe, a North Korea expert at Renmin University of China in Beijing.

With the situation on the Korean Peninsula sliding dangerously toward the point of no return, Chinese media are starting to declare their positions on any potential war, he said. “Secondly, in a half-official way, China is starting to review and clarify the 1961 treaty.”

China has become deeply frustrated with the regime in Pyongyang and genuinely wants to see a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. But it has always refused to do anything that might destabilize or topple the leadership of a country that has long been both ally and buffer state.

That’s because Beijing does not want to see a unified Korean state allied to the United States on its border. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers died during the 1950-1953 Korean War to prevent that from happening.

So for now, the current uneasy status quo for China still seems better than the alternatives.

That is doubly true ahead of a Communist Party congress in the fall, at which President Xi Jinping wants to project an aura of stability and control as he aims to consolidate his power at the start of a second five-year term.

Nevertheless, experts said debate is underway behind the scenes in China about its support for the North Korean regime.

In an article on the Financial Times China website in May, for example, Tong Zhiwei, a law professor at the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai, argued that China should make terminating the 1961 treaty a near-term diplomatic goal, because North Korea, also known as the DPRK, has used it as cover to develop its nuclear program and avoid punishment.

That, he wrote, was not in China’s interests.

“In the past 57 years, the treaty has strongly protected the security of the DPRK and peace on the Korean Peninsula, but it has also been used by the North Korean authorities to protect their international wrongful acts from punishment,” he wrote.

China was not the only country considering its treaty obligations if the U.S.-North Korean rhetoric escalates to war.

In a statement to the radio station 3AW, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Friday that if North Korea launches an attack on the United States, Australia would have America’s back.

“America stands by its allies, including Australia of course, and we stand by the United States,” Turnbull said, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. “So be very, very clear on that. If there’s an attack on the U.S., the ANZUS Treaty would be invoked and Australia would come to the aid of the United States, as America would come to our aid if we were attacked.”

ANZUS stands for the Australia New Zealand United States treaty, a collective security pact dating to 1951.

Erickson reported from Washington. Shirley Feng in Beijing and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.

-------------------

Any Country who says will attacking their country, they will say anything what they can say and preparing to defending and preparing to secure the country which is President's duty. President Trump wants denuclearization for DPRK once and for all. It has been too long and never listening to any organization including United Nation, even their own supporter, China, even Russia. United State, South Korea, Japan have been constructive way dealing with DPRK even if North Korea is on the stage of making nuclear warhead.

Hopefully, DPRK will listen this time although DPRK is planning to attack Guam, DPRK still have the chance to listen and follow the International laws to keep safe for the world peace. With that, DPRK has more chance to have prosperity and higher economic to come, bulling your neighboring country is not helpful and your own country will be more harming with no economic support.

According to The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, For Immediate Release dated August 06, 2017: Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea

President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea to discuss North Korea’s July 28 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The two leaders affirmed that North Korea poses a grave and growing direct threat to the United States, South Korea, and Japan, as well as to most countries around the world. President Trump and President Moon welcomed the new United Nations Security Council resolution that unanimously passed 15-0. The leaders committed to fully implement all relevant resolutions and to urge the international community to do so as well.

Also , White House Office of the Press Secretary, For Immediate Release, August 05, 2017; Statement from the Press Secretary on North Korea, President Donald J. Trump commends the United Nations Security Council for passing a new resolution that increases sanctions on North Korea in response to its recent ballistic missile tests. The President appreciates China’s and Russia’s cooperation in securing passage of this resolution. He will continue working with allies and partners to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea to end its threatening and destabilizing behavior.

Meanwhile, For South Korea, According to Breaking News, news today, august 8,breaking news today 8/8/2017/South Korea Washington considers revising missile guidelines

At the request of President Moon Jae-in, the U.S. military says it's taking another look at its guidelines governing the size of the missiles in South Korea's arsenal.

The Pentagon says it's working closely with Seoul... to see if the restrictions could be modified to allow Seoul to deploy heavier, and more powerful ballistic missiles.

Lee Unshin has more.

With North Korea's accelerating missile advancements... South Korea seeks to expand its defense capability, and one of its closest allies seems to be on the same page; Washington is now reviewing the so-called missile guidelines for Seoul.

Pentagon spokesperson Jeff Davis says the U.S. is actively considering Seoul's request to double the maximum payload limit on its missile warheads.

The missile guidelines were first required by the U.S. in 1979 due to its concern over a regional arms race... but it's only been revised twice, in 2001 and 2012.

The current terms allow Seoul to develop ballistic missiles with a range of up to 800 kilometers... and warheads weighing no more than 500 kilos.

But in June, President Moon Jae-in asked the U.S. to amend the restrictions as the current limits are thought to be inadequate for keeping the rogue state in check. "Recently North Korea is working on a missile program utilizing tunnels and transporter erector launchers. To properly defend against possible strikes with the latest technology the South should be able to carry and launch heavier ballistic missiles. It's expected those will be able to damage underground bunkers and missile silos."

In the past, some South Korean officials even blamed the missile guidelines, claiming the guidelines allowed their missile development to fall behind that of the regime's.

Given North Korea's 2 ICBM launches last month, experts stress now more than ever, the importance of revising the terms to up the South's defense capacity. But as Davis added, the time line for the actual revision is still unknown.

5 August 2017 – United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at the UN Security Council Briefing on North Korea.

UN Security Council passes a resolution unanimously for much tougher sanctions against North Korea. The resolution targets North Korea's primary exports, including coal, iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood. The sanctions also target other revenue streams, such as banks and joint ventures with foreign companies. The U.N. sanction resolution 2371 targets North Korea’s main exports, slashing their annual revenue by $1 billion.

The resolution also bans countries from hiring additional North Korean workers, a move designed to shut off another source of hard currency for the Pyongyang regime. A Security Council diplomat said the workers are kept in deplorable conditions in many countries. Haley termed it "modern slavery."

The resolution also placed nine people and four business entities -- including a major North Korean bank -- on a UN blacklist, slapping all with asset freezes or travel bans.

United Nations Security Council.

Security Council Report: Type of Sanctions on UN Fact Sheet was done on 2006 via committee:

Types of Sanctions:

General arms embargo (w/catch-all provision); travel ban and asset freeze; embargo on all items relevant to the DPRK’s nuclear, ballistic missiles and other weapons of mass destruction programmes (w/catch-all provision); financial sanctions; measures targeting proliferation networks (including obligation to expel individuals and close representative offices and restrictions targeting DPRK officials, diplomats and diplomatic missions); ban on importing from the DPRK coal, iron, iron ore, gold, titanium ore, vanadium ore, copper, nickel, silver, zinc and rare earth minerals as well as statues; ban on selling or supplying aviation fuel, jet fuel and rocket fuel to the DPRK; ban on exporting luxury goods, new helicopters or vessels to the DPRK; ban on the provision of bunkering services; ban on leasing or chartering DPRK flagged vessels or aircraft or providing crew services to the DPRK; obligation for member states to inspect cargo, de-register DPRK owned or controlled vessels, deny permission to aircraft carrying prohibited items to take off from, land in or overfly their territory and deny port entry for vessels owned or controlled by a designated individual and/or entity.

Sanctions measures do not exepire (open-ended).

Mandate with: Take appropriate action on information regarding alleged violations of sanctions measures; seek from all states information regarding the actions taken by them to implement effectively the sanctions measures; consider and decide upon notifications and requests for exemptions; designate individuals and entities and determine additional items as subject to sanctions; examine member states’ reports and examine the reports presented by the Panel of Experts assisting the Committee.

Travel Ban/Asset Freeze Listing Criteria :Persons or entities engaging in or providing support for the DPRK’s nuclear-related, other weapons of mass destruction-related and ballistic missile-related programmes, or by persons or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction.

Persons being responsible for, including through supporting or promoting, DPRK policies in relation to its nuclear-related, ballistic missile-related and other weapons of mass destruction-related programmes.

Entities and individuals that have assisted in the evasion of sanctions or in violating the provisions of resolutions 1718 and 1874.

Decisions :Committee decisions are made by consensus. According to the Committee guidelines, decisions may be taken by a written “no-objection procedure” within five working days or in urgent situations a shorter period “but usually no less than two working days.” Members can place a hold on a proposed decision, but normally not for more than six months. An extension of up to three months can be requested based on “extraordinary circumstances.”

Security Council:

The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or an act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. Under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Security Council can take enforcement measures to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such measures range from economic sanctions to international military action. The Council also establishes UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions.

Peacekeeping:

Peacekeeping has proven to be one of the most effective tools available to the UN to assist host countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. Today's multidimensional peacekeeping operations are called upon not only to maintain peace and security, but also to facilitate political processes, protect civilians, assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; support constitutional processes and the organization of elections, protect and promote human rights and assist in restoring the rule of law and extending legitimate state authority. Peacekeeping operations get their mandates from the UN Security Council; their troops and police are contributed by Members States; and they are managed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and supported by the Department of Field Support at the UN Headquarters in New York. There are 15 UN peacekeeping operations currently deployed and there have been a total of 71 deployed since 1948.

Peacebuilding:

United Nations peacebuilding activities are aimed at assisting countries emerging from conflict, reducing the risk of relapsing into conflict and at laying the foundation for sustainable peace and development. The UN peacebuilding architecture comprises the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Support Office. The Peacebuilding Support Office assists and supports the Peacebuilding Commission with strategic advice and policy guidance, administers the Peacebuilding Fund and serves the Secretary-General in coordinating United Nations agencies in their peacebuilding efforts.

Countering Terrorism:

The United Nations is being increasingly called upon to coordinate the global fight against terrorism. Eighteen universal instruments against international terrorism have been elaborated within the framework of the United Nations system relating to specific terrorist activities. In September 2006, UN Member States adopted the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This was the first time that Member States agreed to a common strategic and operational framework against terrorism.

Disarmament:

The General Assembly and other bodies of the United Nations, supported by the Office for Disarmament Affairs, work to advance international peace and security through the pursuit of the elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and the regulation of conventional arms.

UN Security Council passes a resolution unanimously for much tougher sanctions against North Korea. The resolution targets North Korea's primary exports, including coal, iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood. The sanctions also target other revenue streams, such as banks and joint ventures with foreign companies. The U.N. sanction resolution 2371 targets North Korea’s main exports, slashing their annual revenue by $1 billion.

The resolution also bans countries from hiring additional North Korean workers, a move designed to shut off another source of hard currency for the Pyongyang regime. A Security Council diplomat said the workers are kept in deplorable conditions in many countries. Haley termed it "modern slavery."

The resolution also placed nine people and four business entities -- including a major North Korean bank -- on a UN blacklist, slapping all with asset freezes or travel bans.

North Korea's Last year in January, 2016, North Korea claims that they tested a hydrogen bomb. Images as released by North Korea of hydrogen bomb test. On January 6, 2016, the United States Air Force confirmed plans to soon deploy the WC-135 to test for radiation near North Korea to examine North Korea's claim that they had successfully conducted a hydrogen-bomb test on.

UN sanctions 'formidable instrument for global peace and security,' Security Council told

3 August 2017 – United Nations Security Council sanctions are “a formidable instrument for global peace and security,” a senior UN political official said today, stressing that these measures, when implemented effectively, can contribute to preventing conflict, countering terrorism and constraining the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

“Sanctions are not an end in themselves. At their most effective, sanctions should contribute to a comprehensive political strategy, working in tandem with other Charter-based instruments, to prevent and peacefully resolve conflicts,” said Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun as he briefed the 15-member Council.

Today's discussion on UN sanctions was held against a backdrop of wide-ranging and sustained challenges to international peace and security.

He said that examining the efficacy of UN sanctions is “timely” because the Organization recently carried out a review of its peace and security architecture.

Today, there are 13 Security Council sanctions regimes on; Somalia and Eritrea; the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) and Al-Qaida; Iraq; the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); Sudan; the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK); Libya; Taliban; Guinea-Bissau; the Central African Republic (CAR); Yemen; South Sudan and the one against those suspected to have carried out the February 2005 terrorist bombing in Beirut, Lebanon that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others.

Sanctions play various roles. They are intended to deter the unconstitutional change of governments, illicit exploitation of natural resources to fund the activities of armed groups, as well as violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including sexual violence in conflict. They are also aimed at supporting implementation of peace agreements and peacebuilding efforts.

Mr. Zerihoun went on to say that “sanctions are also a flexible instrument, subject to regular reviews, adjustments and terminations.” Since 1966, the Council has established 26 sanctions regimes, and has terminated 15.

He said the sanctions regimes on ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida, and on the DPRK are “central to international efforts to tackle terrorism and non-proliferation, respectively.”

“Both have been continually adjusted to meet specific and evolving challenges, with due regard to the impact on civilian populations,” he said.

In 2016, three sanctions regimes on Iran, Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia were terminated. As of 31 July, the Security Council's consolidated sanctions list contains 1031 entries – 654 individuals and 377 entities.

Mr. Zerihoun said that sanctions are adopted in New York, but are implemented mainly at border crossings, ports, and airports, as well as in banking and financial institutions, bringing together a multitude of governmental institutions at various levels as well as the private sector.

Therefore, effective UN sanctions require the broad-based support of Member States and the international community at large.

“Even the best designed UN sanctions resolutions are not self-implementing,” he said, stressing the obligations of those countries to implement these measures while underscoring the need for the Council and its sanctions committees to provide support for Member States, especially to those affected by these restrictions.

UN official urges Security Council to delink political, humanitarian concerns in response to DPR Korea missile launch

5 July 2017 – Briefing an emergency meeting of the Security Council convened following the launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of a ballistic missile of intercontinental range, a senior United Nations official reminded the Council of the importance of separating political and humanitarian concerns as it considers a response to the situation.

“Amidst the escalation of the security situation in the region, the UN and partners play a critical role in saving the lives of the most vulnerable people in the DPRK,” Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenča told the Council today.

Stressing that the DPRK must stop any actions that are a violation of Security Council resolutions and allow space for the resumption of sincere dialogue, he added: “All parties must work to reopen communications channels, particularly military to military, to lower the risk of miscalculation or misunderstanding.”

In his briefing, Mr. Jenča also called on the 15-member Council to support the life-saving humanitarian work carried out by relief organizations in the country.

On the launch itself, the Assistant Secretary-General said that, according to the DPRK, the Hwasong-14 ballistic missile covered a distance of 933 kilometres during its 39-minute flight and reached an altitude of 2,802 kilometres before impacting into the sea.

“According to these parameters the missile would have a range of roughly 6,700 kilometres if launched on a more typical trajectory, making it an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), according to widely used definitions,” he said.

He also told Council members that the DPRK had not sent any pre-launch notifications to international organizations responsible for airspace and maritime safety.

Mr. Jenča also recalled Secretary-General António Guterres' strong condemnation of the launch yesterday and his message underlining the importance of unity of the international community in addressing this serious challenge.

The UN, Mr. Jenča reaffirmed, will remain in close contact with all concerned parties and remains ready to assist in any way possible.

ACCORDING Secretary of State News:

One of the first threats we were confronted with upon entering office is North Korea, and it was the first policy area that we felt an urgency to deal with. And I think, as many of you have watched over the last several months, that threat has materialized in the ways that we expected it would. And that’s why early on we identified it as a very urgent matter, and the North Koreans have certainly proven the urgency of that to us.

We initiated a sustained and continued intensified campaign on what I like to call peaceful pressure, because the options available to us, I think as all of you well understand, are limited, and particularly if we think we are operating under a short period of time. So we felt the appropriate thing to do first was to seek peaceful pressure on the regime in North Korea to have them develop a willingness to sit and talk with us and others but with an understanding that a condition of those talks is there is no future where North Korea holds nuclear weapons or the ability to deliver those nuclear weapons to anyone in the region much less to the homeland.

In doing so, we’ve sought to partner with China. China does account for 90 percent of economic activity with North Korea. The Chinese have been very clear with us that we share the same objective, a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. They do not see it in their interest for North Korea to have nuclear weapons, just as we do not see it in anyone’s interest. China has ways that they can put pressure on and influence the North Korean regime because of this significant economic relationship that no one else has.

We’ve been very clear with the Chinese we certainly don’t blame the Chinese for the situation in North Korea. Only the North Koreans are to blame for this situation. But we do believe China has a special and unique relationship because of this significant economic activity to influence the North Korean regime in ways that no one else can.

And that’s why we continue to call upon them to use that influence with North Korea to create the conditions where we can have a productive dialogue. We don’t think having a dialogue where the North Koreans come to the table assuming they’re going to maintain their nuclear weapons is productive. So that’s really what the objective that we are about is.

We have reaffirmed our position towards North Korea, that what we are doing, we do not seek a regime change; we do not seek the collapse of the regime; we do not seek an accelerated reunification of the peninsula; we do not seek an excuse to send our military north of the 38th parallel. And we’re trying to convey to the North Koreans we are not your enemy, we are not your threat, but you are presenting an unacceptable threat to us, and we have to respond. And we hope that at some point, they will begin to understand that and that we would like to sit and have a dialogue with them about the future that will give them the security they seek and the future economic prosperity for North Korea, but that will then promote economic prosperity throughout Northeast Asia.

This is going to be a continued effort to put ever greater pressure on the North Korean regime because our other options, obviously, are not particularly attractive.

Now, in saying that, I want to – I want to acknowledge a couple of people, and I’m going to give some credit to people as I go through this. These first six months, we’ve been carrying out this activity, as you know, with largely people in acting assistant secretary positions, using our ambassadors, the strength of the organization, and I’m quite proud of what we’ve accomplished. In dealing with North Korea, Acting Assistant Secretary Susan Thornton and Ambassador Joseph Yun have been stellar in helping us develop these policies and carry them out. Susan Thornton also has been key to our relationship with China, and I think it’s important that everyone understand that North Korea does not define the relationship with China.

Our relationship with China, obviously, is much broader. And if you go back to the summit in Mar-a-Lago between President Trump and President Xi, much of that summit was a discussion about what should the relationship between the U.S. and China be. It has been defined, since the opening of China with the historic Nixon visit, the adoption of the “one China” policy, the three documents and agreements, and that has given us a long period of no conflict between China and the U.S., creating conditions for enormous economic growth and prosperity in China, which the U.S. and the rest of the world has seen benefits from as well. That has defined the last 40 to 50 years of our relationship.

The question now is that we – we believe we’re at a bit of a pivot point in that relationship because of how China has progressed now to become the second largest economy in the world, and they will continue to grow in their importance to the global economy. What should define this relationship for the next 50 years? And those are the discussions that we have with the Chinese in the broadest contours: How should we define this relationship and how do we ensure that economic prosperity to the benefit of both countries and the world can continue, and that where we have differences – because we will have differences, we do have differences – that we will deal with those differences in a way that does not lead to open conflict. And that has been the success of the past policy. It’s one that we must continue, but we recognize conditions have changed and to simply rely upon the past may not serve either one of us well.

So these are very in-depth conversations and discussions we have with the Chinese, and we test this relationship through things like the situation in North Korea. Can we work together to address this global threat where we have a common objective? And where we have differences – in the South China Sea, and we have some trading differences that need to be addressed – can we work through those differences in a way without it leading to open conflict and find the solutions that are necessary to serve us both?

Out of Mar-a-Lago came, I think, some very important commitments to one another. We established four very high-level dialogues. We had many, many dialogues with the Chinese in the past – over 20 dialogues – but these were at a level that we felt were insufficient to deal with this question of our relationship, so the Chinese agreed to designate very high-level individuals so we have four dialogues. The Diplomatic and Security Dialogue is led by myself and Secretary Mattis with our counterparts in China. We have had two meetings of the Diplomatic and Security Dialogue. The Economic and Trade Dialogue has met twice. That’s led by Secretary Mnuchin and Secretary Ross. We have two other dialogues that are yet to meet: law enforcement and cyber security; and then social or people-to-people.

More details via Youtube:

Alert: U.S. Launches Minuteman III, will uses it when Needed to: Youtupe Mania

/

Alert: WATCH U.S. MINUTEMAN III ICBM LAUNCH, RAW FOOTAGE

Alert : July 29th, 2017, U.S, South Korea And Japan Response To North Korea's ICBM Launch

Alert : It is Worldwide Concerns over NEW ICBM from North Korea

Alert : How Does the THAAD Anti-Missile Defense Work?

Ref: Military Today

In a show of force against Pyongyang, South Korea and the United States conducted a round of combined ballistic missile drills on Saturday, within six hours of North Korea's missile launch.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that at 5:45 A.M. local time, they fired a volley of Korean Hyunmoo-2 missiles and American ATACMSs into the East Sea.

They said the live-fire exercise demonstrated their capabilities for a "precise strike on the enemy's leadership"...while the U.S. military also stressed the "deep-strike precision capabilities" of the ATACMSs as well as their rapid deployment.

The following icons showing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Remark, B2 Bomber guarding protection of Neighboring Land from North Korea, some are Millitary drill spots within the zone area in South KoreaAlso showing Minuteman III ICBM success of the test launch icons showing as you clicking larger size of icons etc....

Good to know about ICBM, There are many regulations to follow, before complete and safe maner to build any arms especially ICBM: Want to example Boeing, Since 1958, Boeing has been a key integrator of the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system, the nation’s land-based nuclear deterrent. Through more than 50 years of continuous enhancements, Boeing’s innovations in design, sustainment, maintenance and modernization have ensured the safety, security, and effectiveness of the Minuteman system.

The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) is the U.S. Air Force’s intended replacement for the Boeing LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM weapon system, the land-based, silo-launched backbone of the nuclear deterrence triad. GBSD deployment is expected to begin in 2027, and GBSD will remain in service through 2075.