N Korea warns Japan that intervening in rocket launch will be act of war

God! what a bunch of idiots.

Japan has deployed battleships and Patriot missile interceptors off its northern coast...

??? Battleships? PAC3s deployed on the sea? Talk about sloppy translating...

This is no joking matter. That lunatic in NK has been training his people for war over the last 50 years and he is insane enough to launch an atomic missile and send it to Tokyo. Scary!

NK claims everything is an act of war or a hostile act, usually prior to multi-way talks in an attempt to get more free stuff from the West and from Japan.

What the DPRK crave more than anything is international recognition. The latest saber rattling is to stir up the collective douche spirit of the starving populace. I say starve them... Not a nice thought, but cut all aid, keep communication to a trickle and shoot the "satellite" down pronto.

Here's a guy who lets his people believe he shot 11 (sic) holes in one in his first ever game of golf. WHo let's people believe he was born on a mountain top and thereafter birds twittered suddenly and rainbows appeared everywhere. Now that the cognac and Asahi Dry supply has been cut off he must be getting edgy. Time to come down to earth Kimmi. Then if not you, the rocket.

Your daily dose of rhetoric gets in early.

This is hilarious. So DPRK launching a missile is not an act of war, but Japan's shooting it down in defense is?? They got the BBQ beef thing down pretty good but international policy, not so much.

Oh, I mistook N Korea for "S" Korea. I am the idiot.

combinibento: "So DPRK launching a missile is not an act of war"

True, it is a wee bit baffling, but remember that they are claiming it is a satellite, and shooting that down would indeed constitute an act of aggression. Whether or not it is actually a satellite and not a missile remains to be seen, even though it's clear there is (rightfully) a lot of skepticism.

Battleships? Has Japan been literally dredging up the past? I think Japan's last true battleship went under at Bikini Atoll (anybody care to comment). Furthermore, making the reference to PAC units off the northern coast was also a hoot. Such missiles would only go in one direction -DOWN.

On a more serious note, I wouldn't be that worried about North Korea taunting Japan at this time. If they were to declare war on Japan, I believe that they would bite off more than they can chew. At the same time, however, I ask again how long can this go on? North Korea is doing missile research, and they apparently have succeeded (at least partially) in developing the bomb. Marry these two technologies together and you have a really bad Elvis impersonator in Pyongyang with weapons of mass destruction. As I have said in previous posts, would implementing a regime change in North Korea be that bad a thing?

Let 'em shoot it (whatever 'it' is). After they shoot it, we'll eventually find out what it is that they shot: Then we can go from there.

Normally not one for saber rattling – but if there ever was a justification for regime change – N. Korea fits the bill. Too bad that they do not have a critical resource that the world supply of needs protection.

soldave: Check your own never more than a line or so,posts. Than get back to me about 'rhetoric'.

NK got it wrong. April Fool's is today, not the 4th.

combinibento is so right. How can Japan start a war while it is simply protecting people from all nations who live in Japan? but we should allow a junky, underperformed satellite to pass over Japan? Didnt other countries try to pursuade NK to not launch!? Let just wipe NK off the map. it is taking too much time. the constant hidden fear of NK "someday" nuking Japan needs to stop.

Propoganda and the spread of misinformation is what the South Korean govt seems to be good at. They are repeatedly giving press statements and telling the north that Japan is preparing to destroy anything that North Korea fires. The S.Koreans are so weak and pathetic that the only thing Pres. Lee MyungBak can do is carefully word lies in an attempt to create more tension between Japan and N.K. Japan didn't attempt to shoot down the last missle why would they attempt to shoot down anything now. The S.K govt is childish and weak and one day things like this will come back to bite them in the ass.

"the South Korean leader also voiced understanding of Japan's "intention to shoot down anything that flies out of Korea." This, as the Japanese government has the responsibility of protecting its citizens from the object which will travel through Japan's airspace and could fall into its territorial waters." -- http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=89124&code=Ne2&category=2

"Over the news that Japan has instructed its Self Defense Forces to intercept any North Korea object that flies over its territory, President Lee said he understands Japan.

``That's a decision made by the Japanese government with the sole purpose of protecting its own citizens,'' Lee said." http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/03/116_42275.html

Everything is an act of against NK....

If you dare to fart, that would be an act of war against NK.

Let em' starve for a while and let them come begging to be heard again.

Meanwhile, no use spoiling further the spoiled child that keeps crying to get what it wants.

I thought invading another country's airspace or sovereign terrritory was an act of war.

I'm so riled by this, that I'm going to write a similar comment over on the KCNA homepage.

So, it's OK for NK to shoot a missle over Japan huh? Dosen't Japan has the right to defend itself? If Japan were to launch a missle over NK for 'testing purposes' then what ?? If NK shoots it down, will Japan call that an 'act of war' ?

The leaders of NK are so stupid. Japan must stand its ground. Anything that even threatens Japan, then they must shoot it down. NK cannot bully anyone just to get attention.

If nK has enough knowledge and resources to put up a satellite (for what, all the radios sold in that nation can only get the offical gov't stations and the rest of the frequencies are blocked, same as with TV sets so it can't be for boradcast reasons)then I say cut off their food aid and let them go their own way. If they want help, then keep the "Dear Leader" but at least learn to cooperate with the world when it comes to helping out your people vice all of the false bravado they seem to display.

I imagine that when the rocket is launched, and it comes crashing down, they will say it was the US/Japan's fault, and demand payment or go to war. I say let's just get it over with and go to war with them.

north korea vs. japan, s. korea, the usa, and possibly china.

i wonder who will win?

I got an idea lets just take the powers to be in NK out then problem is solved.

nutsagain - Nice that you comment on me making short posts with a post of your own coming in at under a line!

Also, rhetoric is using language to influence or persuade. Not sure how that correlates to the length of writing. Care to expand on that?

I am just cracking up on N. Korea's paranoid beliefs that US/Japan/S. Korea have been planning for 60 years to take over their country.

Seriously, lol.

To put it quite bluntly, NK does not need a satellite launch platform, thier good buddies, China, are big players in the commercial satellite launch business. If they need a communications satellite (and they are entitled to them) the other member of the 6 party talks could foot the bill to put one up for them. You have to remember that the Korean War is in a state of truce, no peace treaty has ever been signed, therefore launching a potential offensive weapon in the direction of other belligerants could be considered a breach of the truce. What ever happened to Obama's pledge to engage these rouge nations in dialogue??

Call me cynical but this sounds like the beginning of an alternative Chinese economic stimulus plan.

NK is really funny. I like them very much. Starving them won't help. Giving them aid does not work either.

Japan should shoot the missile. If they don't, Japan will loose face.

the satellite is for what reason? they dont even have receivers spread around N.Korea. whats next? Mobile communications? NK going to the moon? I see no reason for NK to have satellites unless its for war.

Assuming it is a satellite for a sec... I don't think it's that NK needs a satellite for themselves per se, but more the money that an established satellite business would bring in. If NK can show the world, especially their previous customers, that they have the capability of launching satellites into orbit, then that could bring in lots of money and free them from their dependence on help from countries like the US and China. What their ultimate aim is, though, is anyone's guess. They are not rational folks. Plus, if it is a satellite launch, and is then shot down by Japan and/or the US, where does that lead us all (especially here in Japan)?

@escape artist: People looking to put a satellite into orbit look for the most reliable platform, not necessarily the cheapest. No one is going to give NK a satellite to lose.

@escpe artist: Also, NK would make much more money if they spent the cost of producing rockest on ink and print more bogus $100 bills.

Over the news that Japan has instructed its Self Defense Forces to intercept any North Korea object that flies over its territory, President Lee said he understands Japan.

``That's a decision made by the Japanese government with the sole purpose of protecting its own citizens,'' Lee said.

Is it a missile or a rocket? A missile is a rocket with a warhead of some sort. It could be a training missile by having a dummy warhead, but a rocket without a warhead – is just that – a rocket.

A rocket that is being tested to eventually carry a warhead – is still a rocket, just as is a rocket that is delivering a satellite into orbit.

Japan or any other country would be justified in shooting down a missile that crosses into airspace – but not a rocket. Since there is no way of knowing for sure, save for intelligence that provides confirmation – then Japan risks committing an act of war by shooting down a rocket.

This said, any “act” that Japan does with NK is by definition an act of war – since that is the current state of the relationship – since we are still in a period of truce. So I would not worry too much about the NK declaration that it be an act of war – unless one were to believe that NK might actually start something more active.

In some other parts of the world, were this scenario unfolding – you can be sure that a preemptive strike would prevent launch. That this is not being considered at this point suggests that no true threat is perceived, or that someone is practicing appeasement.

I agree that this should be dealt with. Being a veteran of the U.S. Army and spending 2 years in South Korea (3 months of that on the DMZ) I feel this problem needs to be once and for all erraticated. But be careful in advocating war. Currently there are hundreds of field artilery batteries fix aimed at Seoul. Once you go off the cliff to war, there will be easily millions of casualties in South Korea. 9 years ago we (the U.S.) had 30,000 troops stationed in S Korea. Now with some deployed ot Iraq and some decommisioned it might be even less. It will take the U.S. and any coalition of Allies aprox 48 to 72 hours to mobilize re enforcments for those troops. N. Korea has at least 1 million troops on the boarder. Now that being said, I'd say about half of them will desert the military if war broke out, but your still looking at all those Field Artillery Batteries that will let the shells fall on Seoul. Would we win, yes. I dont think their would be an all out invasion of N.Korea, but there would be carpet bombing and air sorties flown like you've never seen before. In the long run N. Korea would be wiped off the map, but you still looking to lose millions of S Koreans in the process and once you attack be sure that the dear leader will exhaust all his missles on the South and Japan. I hope whoever is advocating war factors in the loss of life you are going to see in the South and maybe even Japan.

@TJrandom. I beg to differ with your definition. A missle has a guidance system, a rocket is bacisally a "lob" system. The german V2 was a rocket as are the first generation scuds etc.

@techall

A guided-missile has a guidance system - some rockets do too, as in those used to launch satelites, but these are not missiles. A rocket with a warhead, but no guidance system, al la the V2 - you have me stumped there. I suppose it is still just a rocket. Point to you.

what a bunch of looney tunes. the smoke does not go all the way up the chimney with these guys..

As I wrote in my earlier post, NK's reason for engaging in such provocative behavior comes from a twisted logic that if they can manage to marry this rocket techology to an atomic warhead, everybody will start treating them as grown ups.

Then again, there sattelite launch this time might be justified like it was last time, when I believe the main objective was to throw a small projectile into orbit that could circle the globe while singing songs praising the deeds of Kim Ill Sung and his son, the best Elvis impersonator in Asia (got to love that hairstyle and the jumpsuits).

Isn't a missile any object, guided or not, that is launched by humans with the intention to reach a target instead of just going as high as possible? There's a reason arrows are called missile weapons ^_^.

@adm

the intention to reach a target

My earlier point was that to be a missile the intent needed to be to do some damage to the target, not just to reach it. Rockets too are launched to go as high as is possible, but except for thje cases as techall (V2,s etc.) pointed out - rockets are not designed to cause damage. As you suggest - a thrown stone is a missile if directed at a person, but just a rock if thown into a pond to create ripples.

comparing this to, lets say, your own home - if someone were intentionally shoot a bottle-rocket over your house (though it could be dangerous), would you accept this? or would you prevent them from shooting it? and, if you were to confront the person shooting the bottle rocket over your home, he threatened to hit you, how would you handle this? Even after you called the police (UN) about this man threatening you if you dont allow him to shoot a bottle rocket over your home,what would you do? i personally would feel quite alone to make my own decision with assistance from my neighbors. and, we are seeing this now.

Having just done a little research, it seems that the military and the scientific community have different definitions. As I stated before, the military deems it a missile if it is propelled by a rocket motor and has a guidance system and can be turned to reach a specified or moving target. A rocket is a trajectory aimed weapon which is vectored in the direction of the target and elevated so as to fall at the desired distance. The scientific community call anything with a rocket motor for propultion a "rocket". So there you have it, I stand corrected.

I worry more about if they shoot the missile down with a patriot missile (fat chance!) it will create only more debry and just create a cluster bumbe that will (hopefully not) come down in the Tohoku area and what if the warhead or satelite contains nuclear material 0__0

One can stand corrected or not. NK is still going to shoot "something" over Japan...problem remains. Because a TD-2 is suitable to carry both a satellite and a warhead. But good we now all now the difference between a rocket and a missile........sigh

TD-2 is suitable to carry both a satellite and a warhead

As they used to say back in the days - they have us by the short hairs.

Dear North Korea:

The world is not your enemy. Who actually is eating well while most of you are starving? You are not starving because the world is your enemy. You are starving because a despot runs your country, and his clique is stealing from you.

Hey roomtemperature, the man posed a question at 1:39.

Does not each country have the right to protect its own airspace?

Hmmmm

Lets fire things over NK see how they like it!!

Japan jumps high because they know behind stands big brother USA

Its high time that the evil regime running North Korea was ousted from power and put in jail. That includes the "Great Leader" whos is actually a Great Nitwit. I hope Japan and the USA and South Korea get together and shoot down this rocket, or better still, put it into reverse so that any damage done is done on the soil of North Korea. I pity the ordinary, brainwashed, robotic-like people ofr North Korea, who have suffered for such a long time under this evil communist regime.

from what has been written in the news (which may partially be true or false), NK just wants to hit something. All the buzz seems to be around Japan and not US. if you have a read on: http://www.kcna.co.jp/index-e.htm (NK news outlet)

it states: "Should Japan dare recklessly intercept the DPRK's satellite, its army will consider this as the start of Japan's war of reinvasion more than six decades after the Second World War and mercilessly destroy all its interceptor means and citadels with the most powerful military means."

This seems that NK is trying to pull Japan into a war. i cant believe they are still thinking that way.

I will concede this about the DPRK - they are in a bad geopolitical position which hasn't changed significantly even after the Cold War. Their only chance to break free of the situation is to be able to find a solution in the 6way talks or to remain locked in its position. At this point, the military option is the only card they have to play.

OK? It's war then. Given Japan's industrial and technological might, if she were to start development of atomic weapons tomorrow, how long would it take to have a feasible bomb? Probably a damp sight quicker than Elvis and the boys in Pyongyang. At the same time, North Korea is now threatening Uncle Sam vis-a-vis aircraft flights in the general vicinity. Sooner or later, Pyongyang might have a lot more to worry about than just screwing with Japan.

Mad man of NK talks about peace this peace that but always quickly threatens its neighbor with war if he doesn't get his way. Well, it looks like that he will get much more than he could wish for this time : A fully- armed Japan in the making...I wish Japan all the best in blowing up Kim's toy into pieces.

It would be really bad if the missile crashed into Rokkasho mura (Japan's refined nuclear waste containment facility is located there). Aside from Kim being a maniac who starves his people, I love the glasses. NK wont attack Japan because of the pachinko money that goes by boat from Japan to NK. I read somewhere it is close to half of their GNP. NK attacks and then Japan remembers (conveniently) that gambling is illegal. The boats stop taking money to NK. People think that China is keeping NK in check. Japan has Kim right where they want him. His brinksmanship is impotent at best. Kim presents a much larger threat to his own countrymen. And the boat that takes the money to NK also brought the electronics for the taepodongs from Akihabara. Ooops, guess they should have thought of that one. I remember the last one they put up and nothing of consequence was done to address it. Nothing will be done this time either because it will have no positive effect. There is no way to have a productive conversation with Kim. Japan must protect itself in case of malfunction and duck for cover.

nutsagain and soldave, hold on. let me get a bag of popcorn and you guys can get right back at it. your arguments are way too entertaining.

also, I always thought rethorical was a question you ask that you don't expect an answer to.

N Korea warns Japan that intervening in rocket launch will be act of war

Ok, Well its appears N Korea wants war.. any person can see N Korea is pushing the boundaries for it, and unfortunatly japan can't do much else (well they could but i wont go into that)... I really want N Korea to see the stupidity in what they are doing. They should think about it in this way, If it were Japan going to launch a rocket over them what would they do? how would they feel? they should also consider the people in N Korea and japan, how they will feel about war... and more importantly a POINTLESS war. After all 'war doesn't determines who is right, it determines who is left.'

True, it is a wee bit baffling, but remember that they are claiming it >is a satellite, and shooting that down would indeed constitute an act of >aggression. Whether or not it is actually a satellite and not a missile >remains to be seen, even though it's clear there is (rightfully) a lot >of skepticism.

Wrong. Whether it's a satellite or warhead is simply a matter of what's loaded on top. The 2006 UN Resolution prohibits NKora from launching a "missle" and what they are launching regardless of what's on it, is a "missle". Any counry shooting it down over it's own airspace would not be considered an act of "aggression". Except by the North Koreans of course. Only a DPRK lover could concievably argue on behalf of that country's unnecessary lunatic antics in the face of it;s own population suffering.

Most of you may not know that during the annexation of Korea by Japan, the north suffered much more at the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army. The southern kingdoms of Korea (Paekche & Kaya) historically have had alliances with Japan during the Three Kingdoms period of Korean history. NK has an innate hatred for Japan and the west.

South Korea has problems with Japan because Japan has still not fully accepted blame for the invasions in asia and the participation of WWII – Japan still believes it was trying to help unite Asia (with weapons and killing). It's no wonder that NK wants to pull Japan into a crisis situation. The only allies Japan would have in a war situation is the US and Europe. South Korea still sees the north as it's own people, albeit, run by a crazy tyrant. The South would be in a predicament if war started – brothers killing brothers, again.

Hope for an assassination from within NK... this will solve a huge problem for S.Korea, Japan, China & the west. It would take another 30 to 50 years for normalization before re-unification could begin. Remember the two Germanies during re-unification? Maybe re-unification of the two Koreas is not such a great idea, especially for Japan since the united Korea would have the LARGEST army in the world in numbers! Karma? I hope not.

However, Japan & South Korea need to keep one eye open during this missile launch... for sure if NK launches its rockets, there will be debris in their territories for sure.

Mr. Kim Tae-woo is both a missile expert and psychologist and understands that it is "natural" to want to make a nuclear phallus that can go farther. Just what we need, another sick psychologist.

Farmboy is on the right track. Problems with NK are really meant to scare the Japanese public into accepting re-militarization. I personally think Japan should be left to bankrupt itself with $400 toilet seats just as Ronnie Raygun did to us.

Japan doesn't jump high because of US backing, especially after Kissenger flew right over their heads and direct to China, Japan jumps high at US bidding. Similarly, NK is awfully close to China. Hmmm!

A better question is why does the US want a militarized Japan?

A better question is why does the US want a militarized Japan?

Because China is our self-declared opponent in East Asia.

It's time for Japan to become a mighty force capable of defending itself. At this moment Japan is pretty much a sitting duck for for evil regimes to play with it as they wish. Of course big brother USA is there to interfere but how many people would have to die from nuclear attack before big brother jumps in? Aegis destroyer? Thats a joke. We all know aegis is not almighty device and it can easily fail. Japan must start arming itself with the most powerful defence system ever made.

I dont think that it would sit well with the neighbors and could furher escalate. It has only been about 60 years. I could not picture the Japanese military being confident floating around the pacific. especially if they were equipt with nukes.

North Korea is playing a dangerous game. Anyway I wonder if smoking in public places in this country is allowed

perhaps, but starving their people seems to be allowed.

It's time for Japan to become a mighty force capable of defending itself.

No country in Asia wants to see Japan, militarily, as a "mighty force." Japan had effectively alienated itself in Asia at the turn of the last century because of it.

Heck, let's all just proliferate arms and blow each other out of the water.

Now NK says that they will attack the military out at sea and Japan. China says that they would not block US or Japan from doing what they can do to prevent the missle from flying above. Couldnt they pick another day to do this instead of during the days to see the cherry blossoms!?

No country in Asia wants to see Japan, militarily, as a "mighty force." >Japan had effectively alienated itself in Asia at the turn of the last >century because of it.

Disagree. To the extent that Japan could concievably pose an excellent counter balance to China's increasing military dominance in the region, many ASian nations would prefer that such a balance be implemented.

war is not needed. anybody who thinks differently feel free to say so. But i'll bite back.

Ive had enough of war. war for over something dumb - like religion (its up to the individual to believe in whatever the hell they like), war for the sake of war (just to see whos more powerful, childish much?), war over land/resources and war for revenge (it wont bring your loved one/friend back so why? it will just cause another person to feel the same as you did or still do!). its all STUPID! GAH.

war for revenge (it wont bring your loved one/friend back so why? it will just cause another person to feel the same as you did or still do!).

jessssicaaa, precisely. you just answered your own question. "I'm suffering because of you so here is a taste of your own medicine."

you just answered your own question. "I'm suffering because of you so here is a taste of your own medicine."

No, that's a vendetta. War is "I'm suffering because of someone else who happens to live in the same country as you, so I'm going to make you feel like I do, and then you will go and hurt someone else who happens to live in the same country as me."

touche.

It is a modern mystery that NK has pumped money into weapons and starved it's people of both food and education.

thank you cleo ;]