N Korea admits failure as world condemns rocket launch

Wow. Friday the 13th. Now it's going to be exciting ...

North Korea's long-range rocket appears to have broken apart in flight soon after launch, a U.S. official says.

How is it America has a report on the launch faster than Pyongyang? Hmmm. Go figure.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Did it get shot down?

N. Korea is photoshopping the pictures and editing the video now to show a successful launch! ;-)

apparently it fell into the ocean 1 minute after launch

@namabiru

Either that, or they are photoshopping the pictures to show an imperialist missile striking down the freedom rocket of truth.

Reports that the missile (erh I mean rocket) failed right after take off.

Anyone remember the scene from the movie "The Right Stuff" where all the rockets were blowing up? Just like that.

Failed attempt but an attempt none the less. Do you think there will not be other test?

update: apparently it fell apart (exploded?) in air

Reports that the missile (erh I mean rocket) failed right after take off.

LOL! If thats true, All those guys that were shown in the "Control Room" will be shot. The sad thing is, how much money was spent on this failure that could have been used in more humanitarian ways within the country.

If it was shot down,....well....thats what they get for not listening to the world.

A few North Korean scientists will be sent to the gallows today, no doubt

FAIL

@NetNinja even more interesting is the fact that the US had the news earlier than Japan. So much for Japanese military technology. I wonder if people here realize that setting up so much needless defense ( Pac3 ) is nothing but a very expensive waste of money which is a form of propaganda on its own right. That money could be better spent towards helping people who are still struggling in Tohoku, or pay off some of Japan's debt.

All of that worry for nothing, the evil rocket go BOOM! Think the person in charge of the launch and the people that launched it will be in the camps soon. If they are lucky they will be able to do honorable action.

It is easy to feel some schadenfreude, but it would probably have been better if the rocket had been a success. That would have ensured the new Kim a smooth transition into cemented a power position. I think this opens up for all sorts of nasty internal scenarios in North Korea.

It doesn't matter whether it failed. The NK government will portray it as a glorious success to the domestic population. And of course all due to the "Dear Leaders". past and present.

They'll call it a success as they did in 98 and 09.

They'll call it a success as they did in 98 and 09.

It was easier then. If it blew up in plain site today, it will be more difficult.

even more interesting is the fact that the US had the news earlier than Japan. So much for Japanese military technology

Actually, the US and Japan shared this information at the same time. the US just happened to report it first. Japanese/American high level officials sit in the same room during these times and watch/hear the exact same things at the same time.

Madness by lunatics, lets hope the fat one sees the light soon, but i read that his father left a will stating that they must pursue weapons of mass destruction to keep the "evil" U.S. at bay and ensure peace on the peninsula.

Mad Men and the citizens are too scared/brain washed to try anything like an arab spring.

Launched a "flying object" ha.

"Pyongyang we have a problem." LOL!

I'm sorry, I'm having too much fun with this. (^^)/

All that broo-haha over nothing. Epic waste of money.

@mikemcfly87 US technology picked it up first. It does not matter who the US shares the info with, and at what time. Who they let sit in the room is simply based on current allied politics.

They spent $800 million on this weapons test, it will only cost $300 million to feed the north korean people for 1 year. why is a nuclear weapon actually needed.

I can imagine some North Korean engineers are having a very bad day today.

"We the glorious people of the DPK will launch our triumph of technology in defiance of the evil outside world!!!!'

Insert fail and crash here ---

"We the glorious people of the DPK have proven that we can launch and destroy our own heroic technology in definance of the evil outside world!!!"

Glad they got it out of the way today. Now I get my weekend back... : )

Between their phony windows PC equipment command control and their fake cardboard box satellite mockup with painted foil on the top of it this was bound to happen.

LOL! If thats true, All those guys that were shown in the "Control Room" will be shot. The sad thing is, how much money was spent on this failure that could have been used in more humanitarian ways within the country.

19 million people in the country, many if not most living in poverty and not nearly enough food to survive, yet the military has the money to waste on a project that was bound to fail from the start. Go figure.

hans,

For cryin out loud its common knowledge the yanks have more means to monitor this kinda stuff!

Austin Powers saves the world. Again.

This proves NK can't fire anything for longer than a minute. Does this mean we can't get back on with our lives now? I got bored of living in constant fear from this threat.

can*

Guess it's back to the old drawing board! Honestly, did anyone here for one second ever doubt that this launch would be complete success?

even more interesting is the fact that the US had the news earlier than Japan. So much for Japanese military technology

Not interesting really when one takes into account that since the so called window of opportunity for the launch was scheduled the US was flying intelligence gathering aircraft out of Kadena to monitor any launch. Odds are that when the rocket was getting ready for take-off the plume was identified by satellite and monitored from the initial launch.

BTW Japan does not have a military per-say, it's a self defense force, and with the joint defense treaty that Japan has with the US vital information like this would of course be shared, it's really a no brainer in this case.

Epic FAIL!!! Another great from our loser neighbors in North Korea.

I guess there will be no more missle launches for a long time.....

Oh and lest I forget, congratulations to the North Korean people on the successful launch of their third Undersea Surveillance Satellite! You've again showed the world that the DPRK continues to be pioneers in this cutting edge field...

Somehow, I feel there is more to come

Must have been a stealth rocket. It's up there broadcasting the birthday songs!

USNinJapan-LOL! Enjoy your weekend!

I heard reports that that the reason for the missle blowing up in mid flight was becasue they for got to unplug the cord before the launch

North Korea is good at making themselves look stupid a lot of the time. This launch is just the latest case of that. Also I love the speculation about America knowing things first. Of course they know things first what do you think all of those spy satellites are for. Any rockets missiles or other things launched by North Korea over any other country should be cause for concern because even if they aren't carrying warheads the falling debris from their failure is still a threat.

North Korea has said the rocket would place a satellite in orbit for peaceful research purposes, but Western critics see the launch as a thinly veiled ballistic missile test, banned by United Nations resolutions.

When I read that, it reminds me of Japan hunting whales stating it's for scientific research purposes....

wanted to see if the PAC3 could shot it down that rocket in the sky.

Stupid, stupid, stupid DPRK also known as North Korea, so this cheap ass missile, sorry peaceful satellite fell in to the sea?? Boo hoo hoo, while the poor slaves of that country starve to death, their idiot dictators waste $$$$$ and food etc..on stupid things like this so called peaceful satellite, I hope the world also puts pressure on CHINA since CHINA is 100% behind the DPRK, just using it like a pawn in a North East Asian game of political CHESS.

All that fuss for nothing. And anyway if N Korea want to send a sattelite into space who are the US and its stooges to stop them? Yes, they act like crazy (not unlike a number of other Asian countries) but apart from the attack on the South and the occasional minor spat, they haven't actually fired missiles at or attacked anyone in any way to justify this type of hatred. Just another example of the US needing an enemy to justify its imperial ambitions and huge military spending.

Lol! Now they will find an way to blame Japan!

people here have a short memory, like the US rocket never fail!

look at the Titan, didn't even make of the ground.

here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBzigaTSPZY

Wow. And after all the hoo ha and worldwide coverage too. Thats got to be embarrassing.

Back to Sakura Viewing, Nikkei to add atleast 100 points, Happy Weekend :)

Failed missile launch like the failed leaders, failed policies, failed regime, failed country, failed millitary, the whole place/thing/outift is a FAIL.

The FAILURE that is NORTH KOREA

Cue foghorn now...

Bwaaaaa Bwooorrr

I'm no rocket scientist, but it seems common sense that a rocket should be straightish, like a pencil. (I used to simulate pencil missile launches with accompanying "vroom!" sounds in elementary school when the subject matter failed to hold my attention. This is an unfair comparison, though: most NK youngsters lack pencils.)

Look closely at the photographs: this missile seems to have tolerance deficiencies so bad they're visible. Apply the stresses of speed and temperature and pressure changes and it's amazing it even survived a minute.

Governor Ishihara at ease please!

So much for all the hysterical scaremongering on NHK over the past few weeks. I was amused this morning when NHK TV said that KBS had reported the launch of the missile and it was another ten minutes or so before Japan's defence ministry made any announcement.

If the missile is meant to represent the power and strength of the Fat Doofus (Kim Jong Un), a complete failure is an appropriate bit of symbolism.

In other news, Kim Jong-un hit 8 holes in ones today.

Now that they shot off the rocket...they passed up a chance to get food aid from the International community. With that said, ...Whats for launch?....er....lunch.

The sad part of this news is , whilst the rest of the world knows the truth about the failure...the NK population will be told it was a big success and that the satellite is now orbiting the earth and they will believe it.

Lee Yun-Keol, a high-ranking North Korean defector who now heads a think-tank in Seoul, told AFP that he had obtained Kim Jong-Il's last will and testament, which urged the state to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Excerpts of the will were published by Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun based on the document provided by Lee, who worked for North Korea's bodyguard bureau, the organisation in charge of protecting the Kim family.

"Keep in mind that constantly developing and keeping nuclear (weapons), long-range missiles and biochemical weapons is the way to keep peace on the Korean peninsula, and never drop your guard," the will purportedly said.

"We have to win the psychological war with the United States. By standing up imposingly as a legitimate nuclear power, we have to weaken American influence in the Korean peninsula and work toward lifting international sanctions to prepare external conditions for economic development," it added.

With this launch failure it sure looks like NK is "winning" the psychological war lol. NOT.

I'm no rocket scientist,

@Laguna-

It seems, they aren't either, LOL!

What a waste of money and resources!

It's funny .

Toy missile!!

The Great Leader placed a satellite in the ocean.

Truly revolutionary socialist technology at work,

did you REALLY expected otherwise?

Netninja is heartbroken

True. Somehow in his convoluted thinking yesterday, he equated worldwide condemnation of the Hermit Kingdom with reverse sexual discrimination he has supposedly been suffering from here in Japan. (No. I don't get it, either)

The failure calls the question about the entire missile force of the Peoples Republic of Korea. Why is Japan afraid?

Now will someone pls remove those PAC3's from my front yard so I can enjoy my spring garden!

Hahaha! It fell apart right after take-off! In Japan they call it Hanabi.

WMD = Weapons of Mass Dysfunction

Almost 1 billion dollars that could have been spent on keeping those millions of starving kids alive. Nothing at all to be smug or laugh about here - the situation over there is tragic. Down with the military junta and the evil generals starving the poor people of korea!

$850,000,000 up in smoke!

Today, is a day of great things. Its a day in which North Korea can now decide to look to it's own peoples welfare, instead of its powerbase elites. Today they realize, that they cannot succeed on this path, and to continue is pointless, for it will only lead to collapes. Today thier policy will shift. Today perhaps they will begin to develope some common sense and compassion for their citizens. Peace, love and compassion to the people on North Korea. Let this be the beginning of a new day for North Korea, amen!

A 'dud rocket' is about all the Kim dynasty seems able to produce. I had be hoping for a disintegration above a certain palace in Pyonyang though!

NK doesn't need a remote sensing agency it needs to grow out of their 50s culture. I thought JASDF was joking when it thought it needed patriot missiles. SAR(conjecture 30cm or better) spy satellites in were place NE way. It must have been a diversion. Best April fools day ever!

to coincide with Sunday’s centenary of the birth of its founding leader Kim Il-Sung.

Most countries have large lavish parties or festivals. N Korea celebrates the birth of a leader by spending who knows how many hundreds of millions of dollars, to throw metal into the ocean while it's country starves to death??

Luckily, however, Mr Noda already signed the arms contracts with David Cameron earlier in the week so we can spend even more of our tax revenue on weapons against these non-existent threats.

Mmm, there are a few posters conspicuous in their absence this morning who were bleating about how nasty and alarmist the good people of the region were in their concerns over this launch......and look what happened. Once again all of the money they could have spent on other more pressing social issues has been wasted on a failed launch. A launch that, fortunately, ended up in the sea this time around and not in some Korean, Chinese or Japanese front yard. What folly. What irresponsibility on the part of the NK regime. What poor leadership.

So the Unha was just an oversized bottle-rocket, huh?

Now we have 2 satellites broadcasting the glories of the fat troll leader from the bottomn of the ocean...

I'm looking forward to the excuses from the NK brass. Let's make a list of potential ones.

"We were merely trying to achieve lift-off and never intended for the rocket to fly over the Pacific and reach space, at the behest of other nations. Therefore we initiated self-destruct soon after the rocket cleared the launch pad."

(Kim Jr.) "I decided I wanted fireworks for daddy more than a satellite in his honor. The destruction was intentional."

"It was sabotage by other nations! We shall exact vengeance for this heinous crime!"

Playing the devil's advocate... is NK a member of the UN?

So north korea launched a new submarine this morning it seems.

Losers: North Korea - 1 Missile - Perhaps 10M plus Japan - 50 Missiles purchased from the U.S AND Tax Money wasted setting them. Lets say 100M

Umm. Netnija, your numbers are off just a tad bit. Let's be a little more realistic

N korea 1 Missile - guessing 400,000,000 to 750,000,000 US

Japan 500 land to air missiles. Ummm.. Wait.. they already had these, since they weren't purchased just for this event - $0. Fuel to move ships and land missiles into place.. 100,000 - 300,000US I see a completely different loser here.

And the reason everyone wants it to fail, is because it is pretty commonly known that N. Korea already has the technology to make nuclear weapons. We don't WANT N Korea to have the ability to lob these things at others every time THEY do something ignorant and are chastised for it. These morons STARVE their own people while wasting money on "satellite" failures? (gotta bridge in New York waitin on ya) . Where is the common sense in this? How about spending that money on technology to create more food for their people?? Are you not seeing the lack of any real cognizant grey matter here??

"It was sabotage by other nations! We shall exact vengeance for this heinous crime!" @SmithinJapan. I put my money on this one!

That was bad idea to launch it in such unlucky day.

Nobody intentionally STARVES their own people. You have absolutely no information about their agricultural sector. It is only America's and Japan's desire to sell their products there that they make such claims. You make it sound like they don't know how to grow potatoes onions. You're the one reaching with outlandish claims.

This is all politically motivated and you know it. Until you see YOUR style of government in place or until you start making a buck off of them like Apple does China, you'll continue to make such claims.

Don't think for a second that if NK opened it's doors to foreign investment that you wouldn't go in there and have those SAME people you claim are starving start making your tablet PCs and peripherals for your own creature comforts.

All these horrible things you claim would suddenly quiet down if the right group of people in this country were somehow making a buck from NK.

Japan has done much worse to it's own people. Who do you have working in those nuclear contaminated areas? Who's making your license plates for your cars? Who do you have doing public works for FREE?

Hate to say this but I sense the Dorian Gray in most of the posts here. I understand though. It's a defense mechanism. You can't help it.

A few North Korean scientists will be sent to the gallows today, no doubt

Hoserfella, this is a scary thought. I have been talking with my friends in Japan today. They tell me that this is not far from the truth. Here's the scary part. If (big if) N Korea selected their best scientists to build this missile, and they go to the gallows (this could be true if not worse), who is going to build the next one? Their second best??

"Nobody intentionally STARVES their own people. You have absolutely no information about their agricultural sector. It is only America's and Japan's desire to sell their products there that they make such claims. You make it sound like they don't know how to grow potatoes onions. You're the one reaching with outlandish claims. "

@Netninja. OK, so can I deduce that you are from North Korea....?

NetNinjaAPR. 13, 2012 - 01:18PM JST Nobody intentionally STARVES their own people. You have absolutely no information about their agricultural sector. It is only America's and Japan's desire to sell their products there that they make such claims. You make it sound like they don't know how to grow potatoes onions. You're the one reaching with outlandish claims.

Stalin and Pol Pot come to mind but I guess it could've been done on accident.

Nobody intentionally STARVES their own people

You don't think spending 500m to 750m on a space (cough) project, instead of spending that kind of money on food products, either bought, or grown, or towards technology to grow more and better food isn't "intentionally wasting"?? Do you have any idea how much food that could have purchased, or applied towards growing food? Do you actually have any brains at all? N Korea needs to stop EVERYTHING they are doing, and start working on feeding their people. I don't care WHERE they get it from, they NEED it.

Sitting in that chair attempting to defend NK's actions is only going to be painful for you in room full of individuals that can see this difference.

N Korea needs to stop EVERYTHING they are doing, and start working on feeding their people. I don't care WHERE they get it from, they NEED it.

Thumbs up!!!

Trapped

Playing the devil's advocate... is NK a member of the UN?

Yes, since '91.

Must've been made in China.

Must've been made in China.

parts made in Russia and China apparently.

money well spent - NOT (they could have fed all their poor for 2+ years with this money)

Hey, they wanted a Commemoration, they wanted fireworks…most fitting....The biggest bottle rocket ever!!!!! Outstanding display...Schematics and all!!!

Release the hounds!!!!

NetNinja, do you really understand what you are defending here?! You are defending a Stalinist Totalitarian regime. That means it affords it citizens no right of choice, it assumes complete centralized control of everything in the country, complete authority over all it's citizens, it controls and coerces people through all-encompasing propaganda regimes whilst blocking all access to outside information, and when all that doesn't work, it tortures, imprisons or kills those who oppose it. And yes, during the famines that have occured in NK, Kim Jong Il pursued a program of militarization to strengthen the country, so he ignored the starving to buy more weapons. You are completely confused in interpreting people's objection to the NK regime as some kind of political imperialist agenda. No, that's not it. The people of NK are suffering and getting a very raw deal - even if they don't know it. That's the nature of totalitarianism - people are effectively brainwashed into thinking that the Dear Leader and the Kim family are making NK a paradise. But pretty much everyone else can see what a load of complete sh*t that is. My guess is that most people on this board aren't interested in making money from NK, they just want to see the people there get a fair go. You are away in the ether, as far as nailing down an argument on this.

So Mote it Be...

Yes, the sad part is a lot of money went up in smoke. Because it was unfortunately a failure, more money will be spent to make better ones leading once again to the deprivation of food for the ordinary people of NK. I wished they weren't so stubborn and ask for international help for their next satellite launch.

China has not joined in the western chorus of disapproval mentioned in the article, but she must be playing a longer hand. How could she or Russia possibly want competition in valuable rocket or missile technology right on their own doorsteps?

China's Xinhua and China Daily have reported blandly on the DPRK's announcement that the satellite failed to reach orbit.

China must be breathing a huge inner sigh of relief at the failure, all the while keeping a straight face. Pure speculation here, but if China had sabotaged the launch, I would not be surprised.

Like a cold beer and a warm cat....? Or, something else...Woooooof!!!!! Hold on, the Hounds just began to bay!!!!! Go Ol'Yeller!!!!

The failure calls the question about the entire missile force of the Peoples Republic of Korea. Why is Japan afraid?

Because of the "Tom and Jerry" cartoon show running NK. Yosemite Sam could do better!

War on ocean successful. Juche forever!

look at the Titan, didn't even make of the ground

That was before disco.

My bet is that Chinese sabotaged it.... its way insuring that US is committed to region that is financially costly plus they get to keep them even more in their pocket selling the fools in power more supplies to build another.

I was so looking forward to the JSDF shooting that sucker out of the sky which you know would get the knee jerk reaction from China... America lurking in DPRK backyard is all a part of China's plan to beat the US at its own game... bankrupting your enemies. However if Japan were to rethink its interpretation of Article 9 the Chinese cool collected handling of US influence in East Asia would be out the window... nothing raises the hackles of the Chinese than the thought of an active Japanese military. That would have made for an interesting Friday the 13th... Oh well I guess I have to sulk in the AKB48 news posts.

the US had the news earlier than Japan

No, we had the news a few weeks ago. You expected the rocket would transform into 2 super-missiles, Gundam style, and succeed in its goal of blowing Tokyo and Washington ? Japan would still have got his before the US.

You don't think spending 500m to 750m on a space (cough) project, instead of spending that kind of money on food products, either bought, or grown, or towards technology to grow more and better food isn't "intentionally wasting"??

I do, totally. What about spending officially 18 billions (and in reality probably 3 to 5 times this) ? Isn't it the case that we could feed all the malnourished people of the planet with this budget ?Conclusion : the US is a much much much bigger waster than North-Korea. And we can read :

“North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Irony ? The thing the money would necessarily transform into food for the malnourished if NK (or the US) stopped the projects. Then if paying the equipment of the millions of guys that stand near the border (on Okinawan beaches) is useless, research effort is never really lost, even if it's not in the good domain. The NASA projects have been ridiculously vain too, no ? But other industries have benefited. North-Korean make their guys research and that's essential for development of everything. Feeding people has to be done too.

My guess is that most people on this board aren't interested in making money from NK, they just want to see the people there get a fair go.

Come on, it's our world. Millions can die of famine (not even counting the political bullying) and nobody cares in rich countries. People don't care for Africans, for people in the Andes, for those in Bangladesh.... and now they care about North-Korean ? Let's be honest, that's the least concern. I included myself. Whenever I hear "North-Korea", I would say "Oh, so sad...". I no longer do. I made a North-Korean friend. Of course, we couldn't keep in touch. Now I think "I hope he and his family are doing well...".

competition in valuable rocket or missile technology

That too. Not the case at all. NK has the technology of 1860, and we've known that forever.

the money would necessarily transform into food for the malnourished

I meant : would NOT (sorry for one more typo)

“scientists, technicians and experts are now looking into the cause of the failure.”

hahahaha what a joke

Perhaps the US used that massive laser they have to destroy rockets.

North Korea had been so successful in making chaos and setting his own rule of game, showing its disdain for Japan and USA.

@Tamarama - Excellent post, best I've seen for a while.

Interesting that the Norks have come straight out and admitted failure of the rocket without blaming anyone else, without any belligerence or bluster, apart from warning S Korea against recovery of the remaining parts. Maybe, just maybe, things are starting to change up there.

Cos: "the US is a much much much bigger waster than North-Korea."

You are of course correct, Cos, and there is more than enough hypocrisy going around the G-8 and other nations condemning NK on this, but you DO have to admit there's quite a difference in quality of life for most people in the US vs. what we assume is the case for your average Joe Kim in NK. I don't agree with the hypocrisy at all, but such a waste in NK is FAR more detrimental to the general public than in other nations. That said, it would be nice if the nations condemning NK for exactly this point would play their own comments back and rethink their military budgets and the fact that, as you say, they could end malnutrition or put all of Americans through school FOR FREE (for a mere one year of the military budget).

Anyway, I'm surprised to hear NK so easily admit it was a failure rather than first state some lame excuses, but I guess there's really not much they can do. I also see it as a possible means of 'admitting' they are behind and asking for help from the 'advanced' nations in other ways -- a kind of reverse ego boost. It's not like they can take a strong military stance at the moment, with their head between their legs like this.

Sad! In a way I wish it had been a success cos you know they are already planning the next billion dollar fail. I am just glad that no other country shot it down cos that could have meant war.

I picture their chief technicians as Donald and David Stott, "We like to start procedings with a little explosion ".

the North went ahead with what it said was a launch to put a peaceful satellite into orbit,

If you want to put something into orbit, especially with rudimentary technologoy, you launch to the east to use the earths rotation to help it make escape veloctiy.

The club of countries which have made orbital launches comprises about a dozen of members. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_first_orbital_launches_by_country. Korea aspires and attempts to join this club. But unlike other countries, which have joined this club without causing any criticism, Korea's attempt elicits an enormous loud scandal and moral censure. This moral censure is blatantly hypocritical.

And you know what? I am about as worried about it today as I was yesterday...which is to say I was not worried at all!

I don't approve of North Korea's rocket/missle tests. Better they don't have the technology. What is really spooky for me is how the people, the press, and the government can get their panties in such a twist, or pretend to,over the one lousy launch they can do or attempt every few years,

I hope this a lesson to everyone to cool it and not let themselves be led on by all the pathetic over-reactions we had to the launch when it was upcoming.

Sure, we need to keep on eye on North Korea. But the panic attacks and dramatics (PAC-3 junk at the Defense Ministry, daily reports of Japan on high alert, etc. are completely unnecessary. In fact, they actually play into North Korea's propaganda aims.

Japan has done much worse to it's own people.

You should go to North Korea to live. Perhaps they will give you Charles Jenkins' old place? Maybe you could get a job reporting all the happiness in North Korea, and of course laud their rocket program.

I am extremely critical of the Japanese government and the American government and military even more. But to claim North Korea has done better for her people than Japan? I just cannot figure out what you are waiting for! Surely you could into Dear Leader's paradise in a few months?

there's gonna be a lot of NK scientists/engineers heading for the gulag, and a lot of pissed off military/Un-hangers on out for revenge aginst this diabolical western plot which has somehow sabotaged their big 100th anniversary celebration in memory of the Dear One (or Two).

Now is the time to get worried..

YGHome3: I've no problem being labeled a hypocrite if I choose to criticize NK's aspirations.

North Korea should proceed to unification with South Korea as soon as possible, so that Korea can become a powerful nation with the know-how to launch successfully missiles. Of course, this is contrary to US geopolitics... South Korea should remove its US military bases as Japan has to remove its military bases in Okinawa! A pan East Asian military force, meaning a military coorporation between Japan, China and a United Korea, is the way to go for East Asia, and for guaranteeing peace and prosperity for the 21st and the following centuries (see European Union and its common military coorporation between Germany, France, GB,...)!

It's Friday 13th after all :)

Those NK rockets are a real menace to the whole Asia!! NK deserves a smack on the rear for catapulting those debris just to disintegrate all over the sky. : /

Heads will roll!

I hope the satellite that was destroyed wasn't too expensive!

There really WAS a satellite onboard the rocket. It was verified by international experts. The only problem is the satellite was of similar capability to the U.S.'s Vanguard 1 satellite launched back in March 1958. Speaking of Vanguard - type satellites, lest we Americans crow too much about this failure of the North Korean's rocket, we have our own embarassment in the televised failed launch of Vanguard TV3 in December of 1957 (dubbed "Flopnik", "Kaputnik", "Oopsnik", "Stayputnik", etc. by the press):

(54 second video of launch attempt) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVeFkakURXM

Who knows who's truth is the real one. Afterall, I just saw a picture of Kim Jong-Un waving from the surface of the moon. Well down great leader. Well Done!!!

wonk wonk

Where's just-a-guy when you need him? I'd be curious to get his comments. But he's not here. That's odd. :)

Interesting isn't it that some 2,000 people cancelled their visit to Okinawa because of the danger from this North Korean "rocket."

Why would they do that?

Because they think that the primary target for NK would be Okinawa because of its many US bases.

Therefore, having US bases in Okinawa makes the environment dangerous.

The US bases are not protecting anything.

In fact it's quite the opposite.

@Thunderbird

This is a double standard. I bet that you did not use these words when SK did the same.

@NetNinja:

So, what you're saying is that the leaders of North Korea aren't living high on the hog, in addition to wasting money on weapons while the common North Korean starves? How is it that everyone on here is wrong, and you happen to be right about the situation? Are you currently living in North Korea? I doubt it, seeing as how you are posting on here.

@Fadamor:

LOL... I wasn't even born then, so I'll take your word for it.

LOL... I wasn't even born then, so I'll take your word for it.

Neither was I (I showed up 2 1/2 years later). The video clip I linked was pretty convincing, though. Truly a "DOH!" moment in the U.S. Space Program. Let's give N.K. a few more tries before we write them off as clowns in space. For our part, we finally got it "right" only two months after the Vanguard TV3 debacle with the launch of the Explorer 1 satellite.

YGHome3

Gimme a friggin break. Do you fail to see the fundamental difference between all of the countries on the list of space-faring nations and North Korea? They all did it without subsisting off of aid from other nations. If North Korea's sworn enemies didn't literally feed their populace through food aid it couldn't afford to have something as frivolous and unnecessary as a space program. The situation with North Korean and their food-aid-for-satellites set up is like someone on welfare/food stamps using it to buy booze. There's absolutely no hypocrisy if other nations criticize the DPRK for this.

@Fadamor:

That was one hell of an explosion!!

Anyone noticed how similar NK looks to Japan? The government control, the minders, the blank expressionless faces, the orchestrated tour of the launch site (just like the journalists' tour of Dai-ichi; actually it semmed more open than the Daiichi tour..), the false optimism, the self-importance? etc.

Or is it just me.

almostshat

Yes, it's just you.

I support starving Korean people and not the Peoples Republic of Korea. If there is a food shortage they will allow the people they do not like to starve to death. People who may oppose them. So when the governments of the world allow starvation in the Peoples Republic, they are doing the opposite. The plan dealing with them has not worked. So by cutting off food aid the Americans, Japan and Republic of Korea is making it possible for the peeps to kill their unwanted. Giving food and and making sure it reaches the right people is just and right. Think of starving men, women and children when making self righteous statements.

Or is it just me.

Hands-down it's just you.

Johninnaha: "Therefore, having US bases in Okinawa makes the environment dangerous."

Is there ANY thread you don't try to turn into an anti-US base rant? I mean, we know this has nothing to do with the US base issue, but seriously! If Okinawa were a target for the rocket 'pieces' (how do you target where the garbage is going to fall, anyway -- you must think NK has the greatest technology in the world... how sad for the Okinawans!) it would be because of the history between Japan and the Koreas, not because you're against the presence of US military bases. Please leave your baggage at the door.

Next you'll be saying they deployed anti-missile batteries in Tokyo because the Okinawa governor is against the government's agreement on base relocation within the prefecture!

The rocket failed because it was a piece of crap, built with scraps in a nation that simply doesn't have the materials to deal with the know-how. It doesn't matter if it was the 'missile' the Japanese media is in a frenzy about or an actual rocket with a satellite, it failed big-time, and no one was ever in any threat. It had nothing to do with the US presence any more than had it been projected to fly over the Philippines it was an objection to some small bananas. Again... see that window you're about to type in? place baggage before you type; it has nothing to do with the base issue.

I support starving Korean people and not the Peoples Republic of Korea. If there is a food shortage they will allow the people they do not like to starve to death. People who may oppose them. So when the governments of the world allow starvation in the Peoples Republic, they are doing the opposite. The plan dealing with them has not worked. So by cutting off food aid the Americans, Japan and Republic of Korea is making it possible for the peeps to kill their unwanted. Giving food and and making sure it reaches the right people is just and right. Think of starving men, women and children when making self righteous statements

I agree that to deliberately starve people is cruel and callous. But this in NK's doing. They have been given food aid many times, and they just hoard it for the elite, it never reaches the poor downtrodden, starving, brutalised masses. A change needs to take place, the aid should only be delivered if the process of distribution is made more transparent. This is a difficult issue, I don't want to block any food aid delivered to NK, but if it doesn't go to the people who need it, what is the point? All you're doing is providing free food to an already pampered elite and enabling the regime to continue, the cadres and party members in Pyongyang must be laughing

oginome: "This is a difficult issue, I don't want to block any food aid delivered to NK, but if it doesn't go to the people who need it, what is the point? "

It's a very valid point, and not at all limited to NK. In fact, the same thing happens even in developed nations to an extent and not even military regimes -- the rich see the benefits in deals made and the poor see nothing but the rich getting good deals. This is ideally why UN peacekeepers are put in to see distribution, but when they are denied, and in a country like NK when service guarantees food and money, it becomes extremely unfair and needless to say unbalanced. You are right it is not easy, but then... what do you do? It's easy to say you can hope and wait for the regime to fail, but when it's guaranteed they do not due to the suffering of others, it's impossible to come up with a good solution. Invade? overtake? overthrow? Sounds easy enough, but like we're seeing in Syria no one wants to do it because it will lead to more suffering of the masses while the leadership try and make deals to stay in power. And then what do you compare it to? The 'greatest' countries in the world suffer the exact same problems on a lesser scale, as has been noted with the hypocrisy -- the US could drop their military spending for ONE YEAR and feed all of their hungry and educate them all for free, and probably even give them free health care, but no.

The only way this could have been a better result is if the flaming wreckage had fallen on the dear pudgy porkchop and his entourage. Now that would have been a Friday the 13th to remember....

So it very difficult way. Now we know that NK have not missile, they have young peace rocket. NK was not attack to Japan and trash not fall on Japan. So Noda have nice day. He can lambada dance. NK have aggressive neighbors, but they need peace and going to technological progress way. I am respect of NK. Also we know that Japanese politics losers that buy expensive trash PAC-3 and Aegis.

Different site told they they fly 120 second, other told 10 minutes. What height where was crushed rocket?

First Russian and USA rocket was crushed up on cosmodrome. But all three rocket in NK was fly. Also may be NK rocket was fly up to 120 km so it almost space. In NK live about 20 million people. They have not oil, gas, hi-tech. They have not best result but they have big step to space. I have not paranoia they can not build ballistic missile also they can not find target for that missile. 20 million people can not attack USA, Japan and SK too.

BessonovYan, So it was the 3rd stage that failed? Just wondering how you know this information дружо́к ?

smithinjapan Apr. 14, 2012 - 01:03AM JST. what do you do? It's easy to say you can hope and wait for the regime to fail, but when it's guaranteed they do not due to the suffering of others, it's impossible to come up with a good solution. Invade? overtake? overthrow? Sounds easy enough, but like we're seeing in Syria no one wants to do it because it will lead to more suffering of the masses while the leadership try and make deals to stay in power.

The only way for any chance of change is to cut aid to North Korea. People aren't stupid, and they'll figure out why they're dying, only fools will place blame on other nations that didn't 'help' as that's not the reason or problem. No matter how tough to some, accountability has to start some time, let it be now. China and Russia can feed them as they have been backing up North Korea regime. The U.S. have been too generous and bowing too much to North Korea bluffing. Malnourishment in North Korea is man made, it is their regime doing to make the population in masses suffer, starve and the armed forces follow.

If the U.S. start delivering food it will definitly go to Noth Korean armed forces not to its starving people. Why feeding the enemy that are ungrateful anyway and will continue blackmailing to get free food from U.S., so let CHina and Russia feed them is their cohort. The US need to look what had happen in the past when dealing with North Korea, never kept it's promises or pledges.

@USNinJapan2 (APR. 13, 2012 - 10:41PM JST)

The enormous scandal goes way beyond the "welfare stamps wasted on booze" argument. But regarding this argument: Every proud nation wants to enjoy science and technology achievements. Among the list of countries which master satellite technology you will find one which suffers pervasive and horrid poverty; still, they want this technology, and rightly so.

When a North Koreans who escaped and live in South Korea, they reveal how most of the child-like bawling is coerced, fear-driven and for the media to send out to the world. They agree younger crowed are split in their absolute dedication to these dictators and their feeble county. It may seem cold-hearted, but let them starve. When millions of the people bury their babies, children and grandchildren; when the young adults bury their parents, grandparents, uncles and aunt, two things will happen. First, with a million soldiers, this mass starvation willh hit home with a majority of them, and their personal will to die for the government may be weak. Secondly, there will be fewer of them. The best way to conquer a nation is to let it fall from the bottom up. Pro-longed lack of attention to the basics of life for its citizens will always destroy a nation.

sfjp330, that is a very cold position. I wrote a way had to be found to deliver it to the starving people. I would ask the US President, Japanese PM and Republic of Korea President this question? What do you do when the ghosts of these people come back to haunt you? The little boys and girls with the stick limbs and swollen tummies. The isolation of this countries and in fact all of the others never lead to change. It is a bad theory, how many Presidents has Castro out lasted? Yes China and Russia could of helped more but when you look in the mirror what do you see? Leaving the propaganda aside, these are people like you and me. They have no choice of what their government does but their paying the price. Sort of like standing around at the scene of an accident. Nobody else is doing anything, why should I? So the Peoples Republic will get out of starvation mode. Seed grain will be available and people will be in better physical condition. A starving country has never come into peace. Conditions have to be right for peace. So I appeal to the Peoples Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russia to give enough food and aid so all will be feed and healthy. Perhaps China and Russia could send in people to monitor the distribution of the food. Again and again, the isolation of a country and the starving to death of millions of people has NEVER done any good.

Yuri...Where is China while their supposed friends are starving? Just proof that China cares nothing about North Koreans other than having a buffer to western ways at their border. Just sickening how the world scorens the U.S. at every chance. Yet when it comes time for feeding other nations, who spend billions on weapons rather than feed their own people, it's the U.S.'s responsibilty to feed thy enemy. Well, naturally like many I am torn by this issue, but in the end a deal to sell China excess grain to give to N.K. sounds better than a ungrateful handout once again. Or put it to a vote in South Korea help or no help for the North.

We was hungry too, but we fist enter in space, we was build Ruslan, Mriya, Buran, Souz. We had not Nintedo, pepsi but we was happy. Now we eat synthetic food, use Japanese cars, but we not happy.

@YuriOtaniApr. 14, 2012 - 03:04AM JST

BessonovYan, So it was the 3rd stage that failed? Just wondering how you know this information дружо́к ?

So what problem? I read internet news. NK live under Japanese and USA satellite. They would write all sad information about NK.

BessonovYan, perhaps but the USA sold food to the Soviet Union. Well until Jimmy Carter and his embargo of 1980. Lucky it failed as all plans that use starvation as a weapon. Come on Peoples Republic of China and Russian Federation, step up to the plate and give food to hungry people! It would show you are on the side of righteous and order. Help make it impossible for food to be used as a weapon. Think it of a way to stabilize your border. Starving people and countries have been known to do rash things. Like rocket launches, atomic tests and invasions of other countries.

If I may say, NK is Chinese protectorate. Russia has really nothing to do with the situation. Last time I checked Russia generally shared the same position with the US about NK, and the NK side wanted Russia out of negotiations, but only China, who protects, and the US, who could give money in exchange for slowing down nuke developments. Bringing Russia to the NK discussion is pointless, IMHO.

@YuriOtaniApr. 14, 2012 - 04:27AM JST

Why all world suppose that we richest than China, Japan, EU and USA? The 60% of our area it permafrost! Our climate it so difficult. We have some business project with NK: transport gas, cargo, electricity through NK to SK . So that enough. Japan can also send food to NK. What problems? Don't lose money for Aegis and PAC-3. Do it.

Does North Korea even acknowledge there's even a starvation problem in their country? For the longest time, the NK goverment denied such a problem. The NK gov't never allowing independent press into document anything. The NK gov't has shown nothing but their best, well-fed side to the world all these decades. So I say, make the NK gov't confess up before the world. Make the NK gov't give the world honest, visual, photographic evidence of mass starvation. Make the NK gov't open their doors wide so the world can truly see what's going with their poor. Then let the world decide if NK truly needs food aid or not. And then and I agree with everyone else, make China/Russia help. It's way cheaper to truck in food from China than ship/fly it from the West. Plus China's got all the money.

In the end China will have to provide the food aid. They have the means to do it. The West is doing it as a way of negotiations but that obviously isn't working. China has the most to lose from a starving NK population (besides the North Koreans themselves) so we might as well throw it in their lap and get them to actually do something.

COS;

I do, totally. What about spending officially 18 billions (and in reality probably 3 to 5 times this) ? Isn't it the case that we could feed all the malnourished people of the planet with this budget ?Conclusion : the US is a much much much bigger waster than North-Korea. And we can read :

I can't believe you even tried this comparison?? Another no brainer (meaning, you have no brains). Does the US waste money? Hell yes. We do a lot of things wrong here. However, we have never taken money from people that needed to eat to survive to play with our toys. You're trying to compare 2 completely different economic situations. We don't allow MILLIONS of people to die because they have no food to eat. Forgive me for quoating wikipedia but,

"Estimates state that, from a population of approximately 22 million, between 900,000 and 3.5 million people died from starvation or hunger-related illnesses"

We don't allow this in America. How can you possible compare the 'wasted money' in America to what Korea wastes? Yes, we waste, but not at the expense of our peoples lives... Please, at least attempt to keep this apples and apples

@gregoryharuko

South Korea should remove its US military bases as Japan has to remove its military bases in Okinawa!

You do realize that you are showing your lack of knowledge about the region by making a statement like this

nteresting isn't it that some 2,000 people cancelled their visit to Okinawa because of the danger from this North Korean "rocket."

Why would they do that?

Because they think that the primary target for NK would be Okinawa because of its many US bases.

Wrong answer. They cancelled their plans for Okinawa because of the reported flight plan of the missile. ANA, JAL and other airlines as well changed or cancelled flights too.

“North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

God bless America. Let it be known, that in the end, brutal truth, triumps all.

"North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

You might say the same about the U.S.A. in the 21st century. With the erosion of the constitution and basic freedom, it won't be long before the United States resembles NK.

@yubaru.

Where is that Kimigayo spirit of the Nihonjin? You do realize by allowing US military bases on the holy Japanese soil, the Japanese government is now singing "Oooh say, can't you see, Japan is just a colony!" Get those 50000 plus American Military Gaijin out of Nihon, and as a matter of fact out of East-Asia, South-Korea included of course, so the North Korean problem can get solved! Let East-Asia not become a new Afghanistan or Iraq !

Pyongyang had agreed to suspend its nuclear and missile tests in return for U.S. food aid. Hey USA... how can you be so blind. The food aid you're giving is just being sold by NK government and use the money for propaganda and rockets that won't fly. For them it is not a waste because it's USA food money hehehehehe. Don't send Food aid for NK anymore cuz they will just divert it to cash. China is helping them big time anyway.

The launching failed big time.... I am sure heads will be rolling hehehehehe...

@gregoryharuko and @yubaru..... just my analysis... since Okinawa is trying soooo hard to throw away US Military bases in their island, then came this rocket launch by NK. Talks in removing the US base in Okinawa halted. US and Japan started collaborating in building the defense to shoot the rocket. Japan defense force spending for this interceptors that US will supply for sure. Business..business... Japan is spending lots of money in US military bases maintenance for what? For USA arms business. Okinawa is full of US Marines. Very problematic division who rape japanese girls, bullies and cause fights with locals and still Japan government cannot touch them. Geezzzz this gaijins are plain foreigners in your land and should under Japanese control not Japan following their regulations. Beside Japan is paying their bases maintenance. Throw them away like what the Philippines did with their Naval bases. Their Airforce base doesn't want to move out because of the importance of balance in asia's security but left hurriedly when Mount Pinatubo erupted. Ain't that plain bluffing about asia's security by USA military.....Hehehehehe I am sorry though but I cannot trust USA ways of dealing with asian countries.

@bajhista65

I totally agree with you !

bajhista65 - Spot on!

This whole thing is a contrived story. Hype. Like the "war on terror."

Looking forward for an armed conflict at the north's behalf