politics

N Korea launches missile toward sea; Kishida calls it threat to peace

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By YUNG-JIN KIM

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Does he understand the concept of mutually assured destruction? A few of the thousands of warheads that the USA is holding would almost certainly be used if NK attacked an ally of ours with nuclear weapons.

Almost no one wants to see nuclear weapons used again. They are, by their nature, a weapon which disproportionally targets civilians. The thing is, no one today can use a nuclear weapon without expecting a rapid response in kind. It is why we have gone so long without a World War III.....no one wants to deal with the consequences of a nuclear war, but everyone knows that the only way to prevent a nuclear war is to be prepared to fight in one.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Can those ICBM be equipped with atomic ?

Most analysts think so. Probably not MIRVs yet but single warhead missiles.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Desert Tortoise

Can those ICBM be equipped with atomic ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And yes North Korea has missiles that can reach Alaska

DPRK has ICBMs that can reach anyplace in the continental US.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Is there some regent behind him presiding over everything?

He executed his uncle if you remember. That was the notional regent. Doing that sort of focused everyone's attention. Then he executed a few more top officials with anti aircraft guns just to make sure everyone got the message. Kim and his Krypt Keeper sister didn't have a normal upbringing. Kim Jong Un was groomed for power by his father when his eldest brother Kim Jong Nam ruined his change at succession when it was discovered he snuck into Japan to visit Disneyland. What a family!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And yes North Korea has missiles that can reach Alaska

Which is USA incase you don't know !

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What puzzles me about Kim Jong Un is the fact that he succeeded his father in his early thirtieth as a rank amateur in politics and military affairs, and yet heads the nation and the military, having career officers at his beck. Truly amazing.

Is there some regent behind him presiding over everything?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Clayton K. CharToday  01:01 am JST

Kim Jong Un is feeling ignored. He's re-seeking attention on the world stage.

Firing missiles is his way of getting attention.

He's the shrieking little kid in the ballroom jumping up and down yelling, 'Me! Me! Me! I wanna get on stage!'.

You know, there was this geeky t(w)een kid at a Carrie Underwood show holding a huge sign saying he hasn't been kissed in his life. She pulled onstage and gave him one.

Do ya see a parallel here? Attention grabbing.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And apparently all most here care about is he can't hit the USA.

DPRK has ICBMs with sufficient range and payload to put a nuclear warhead anywhere in the US. Their accuracy and the ability of the warhead to survive re-entry are still open questions but the Norks have demonstrated three stage missiles with adequate range to target the US mainland.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

On that we can agree, but why are the Kremlin threatening to use nukes, knowing it would most likely result in a nuclear war, which as you said is not winnable because most forms of life on the planet would be wiped out. 

Two comments. First, the Russian press and some of their leadership are very much preparing the Russian people for nuclear war. That Russian Orthodox prelate in Moscow, Patriarch Kirill, speaking of the invasion of Ukraine; "We have entered into a struggle that has not a physical, but a metaphysical significance," Railing against LGBQT, which he seems fixated on, he called it a conflict over “which side of God humanity will be on." The Russian press has been telling its viewers that should there be a nuclear war not to worry as the Russian people are holy and will all go to heaven while the godless people of the west will go to that other, hotter, place. Even Mr. Putin has said this circa 2018-19 in an interview that touched on Russian nuclear doctrine.

The second point is that I think it is a gross exaggeration to say most forms of life would be wiped out or that such wars are unwinnable. It depends. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are very much habitable. If you look at the Chernobyl region it is probably the most radiated place on Earth and plants thrive. There have been hundreds of nuclear detonations around the world and most of the effects are temporary and localized. A lot of modern nuclear weapons are designed specifically not to have lingering radiation so bombed areas can be re-entered quickly (by friendly forces). The Chinese military claims nuclear war is winnable. They often voice the opinion that all they have to do is flatten a couple of us cities and the US will cower and withdraw. Both the USSR and US/NATO thought a nuclear war could be won and very much intended to do so if it ever came to that.

Might just be me but I think the US and NATO will have forewarning of any attempt by Russia to launch a nuclear attack and stop it with conventional munitions.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It would take missile 12 minutes from NK,to impact Tokyo at 35.7,139.7 Google 35.7,139.7

And 15 minutes for the MASSIVE response to turn Bukhan into a sea of Nuclear glass...do we think those people are as completely stupid as our unrelenting propaganda has made us?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It would take missile 12 minutes from NK,to impact Tokyo at 35.7,139.7 Google 35.7,139.7

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Do Little Kim, know about the Stealth bomber,I am glad Biden ,ignore him

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Kim Jong Un is feeling ignored. He's re-seeking attention on the world stage.

Firing missiles is his way of getting attention.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Nothing is going to happen on the Korean Peninsula.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Kaimycahl

North Korea is already ready.

The sheer fact that you asume to know what most people think is testament to your pantomathic ,ambiguous and portentous comments.

Sounds more akin to a paranoid delusional complex.

Yes obviously Japan does nothing but cowering feebly and dithers.

Too slow to make a difference.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Kaimycahl

North Korea is now a closer friend of Russia and China than before the Ukraine crisis.

You might want to take that into consideration with your fantasy scenario.

Provoking North Korea is a bad idea because he doesn't have much to lose and is worshipped as a lord.

Could possibly become lethal for Japan.

Put it this way - when was the last time Japan or anyone shot down one of North Korea's missiles ?

Technically North and South Korea's are still at war because the USA stopped the peace agreement.

So laugh all you want and joke about North Korea .

Personally i think its not a joke.

Japan doesn't have preemptive strike capabilities or nuclear deterrence.

The USA is paid to protect Japan if its attacked.

However by then i may be too late.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

They changed the article headline at 4:47pm today.

You can see the first comment was at 1:30pm today.

North Korea is testing it own weapons in its own territory and not threatening any other nation.

Nothing to worry about .

Unless some provokes them.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster his nuclear arsenal "at the fastest possible pace" and threatened to use them against rivals.

This would be worrisome only if NK really had nuclear capabilities.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Cricky I totally agree, it the little rug runner go nuclear he has to deal with everyone in that region including China and Russia because they share boarders and the nuclear blast and fall out will affect those countries also!!

He is desperate in a world that has moved on. If he tries to nuc he knows it’s over. China his only (user) friend definitely have other plans other than nuclear war. It’s for domestic consumption I think. Not really something we should be concerned about, being concerned is the reason it happens, the reason he does it to get attention.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

NK like Russia is being provoked by NATO & the EU regardless of the cost to neighbouring nations. It's all part of the NWO strategy. I've stopped watching most mainstream news now because it is 95% propaganda and it does not portray what the real agenda set by NATO & the EU is.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Antiquesaving

Do you really believe that wiki explaination that anyone could have wrote

Do I really have to explain that to you? Seriously?

Here wiki has a simplified explanation.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Kyo wa heiwa dayo ne LMFAO lol everyday!! Do you really think Japan is sitting back DOING NOTHING? Eyes and Ears are everywhere remember that!!! If you don't have a NEED TO KNOW! Like most people keep guessing?? Most people THINK Japan doesn't have a nuclear capability. LIKE I SAID think AGAIN!! Japan can go nuclear in a day!!! Remember lose lips sinks ships!!

Looks like France and the UK and Germany and Japan are all shaking in their boots and no iam not being sarcastic.

If Japan truly wants to defend its self it better get a move on before it too late.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Anyone who believes NK have anywhere near the capability to pulverize the USA with fizzle bottle rockets didn’t have a mind to lose in the first place and is clearly bonkers.

Probably so!

I doubt they can reach the USA, I doubt they have more than 30 to 50 nuclear weapons and 250 kilo ton yield each according to USA, South Korean and Japanese military experts.

It has missiles capable of easily reaching Japan.

Now I personally don't live in the USA, I live in Japan, so as many as 50 nukes pointing in this direction by a mad man isn't a good thing.

And apparently all most here care about is he can't hit the USA.

Are you people for real?

The guy isn't playing with a full deck and has nukes and don't keep going on with the "if he uses nukes the USA will nuke him" or some form of that.

What part of not playing with a full deck don't you people get. The same with Putin, these 2 maniacs will take their own population and anyone else they can down with them if they are going to lose a war.

You people make no sense, one minute you say Kim is crazy the next minute you act like he is not crazy enough to use nukes, make up your minds either he is crazy or he isn't.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

North Korea has rejected the administration's offer for talks, saying it must first abandon its "hostile policy," in an apparent reference to U.S.-led international sanctions and U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises.

The north refuses to come to the table, and expects sanctions to be removed before talks.

That is never going to happen so this situation will never change until one side or the other starts a conflict. The South will not start anything, they have trade and tourism and a normal society integrated into the world. The north started the last one, and when they get sick of waiting for the world to buckle to it's demands they will try again.

Meantime they modernize and test the weapons systems they will end up using on the South.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Hasn’t anyone told him, missiles are a very inefficient way to go fishing?

kurisupisu

“Unlike certain western countries NK has never been an existential threat to other sovereign states-it seeks to exist as its short history shows-like it or not!”

except for launching an all out invasion of its neighbour, which it still hasn’t agreed a peace treaty with and threatening its capital with massed artillery for nearly 70 years and now nuclear destruction, quite right.

Fat Boy in the Ruritanian military (special extra, extra, extra large size) uniform is fixated on his own power/survival and as such sees no limit on his actions in achieving that objective, which is what makes him dangerous to all around him, including China. Once either his usefulness ends or the risk is seen as too great they will arrange his eradication. The rest of us have few levers available to contain him bar what we are already doing to limit his capacity

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe instead of shooting missiles he should get a new haircut! Then the world will really take notice….

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Discuss the situation with the Italian Prime Minister…….Ha ha ha. Pointless.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Ignore this political theatre.

These launches are only a threat to fish where they splash down.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

> kurisupisuToday  05:28 pm JST

Unlike certain western countries NK has never been an existential threat to other sovereign states-it seeks to exist as its short history shows-like it or not!

"sovereign" ...... how much does that word mean as of today... Who decides? ... UN? ...Nah

"seeks to exist".... How? that seems to be the issue.... Kim Dynasty forever?

If Kim dynasty ruled by Kim's family is the very goal for this chinless Rocket man, forget unify the peninsula

under himself. Or What? Does he want to rule entire peninsula? Ask Southern people first then, ...

UN, after all, can't do anything about human rights abused anywhere , not to mention in North Korea.

All they do is to do jobs against the easiest target to pretend that they are doing something

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

That white jacket he's wearing makes it look like he's about to bust out and play a trumpet.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

kurisupisuToday  05:28 pm JST

Unlike certain western countries NK has never been an existential threat to other sovereign states-it seeks to exist as its short history shows-like it or not!

"sovereign" ...... how much does that word mean as of today... Who decides? ... UN? ...Nah

"seeks to exist".... How? that seems to be the issue.... Kim Dynasty forever?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

A SK problem. Not ours nor do we need to get involve. NK doesn’t even care about us. Let SK solve it. For years they had been trying to befriend Kim and offer all kind of cooperation and benefits. Guess all the bootlicking didn’t help at all.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Someone's suffering relevance deprivation syndrome.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I want this Jacket, LOL

5 ( +7 / -2 )

If it was me, I would just turn the propaganda and threats and stupid missile launches around and officially thank them for their showing such great love and overly expressed joy even a week beforehand regarding the inauguration event of the new SK president. Something like that… lol

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Unlike certain western countries NK has never been an existential threat to other sovereign states-it seeks to exist as its short history shows-like it or not!

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

It's the monthly Kaiju missile, followed by the same old cover story

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"N Korea launches missile toward sea"

"THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING!"

Is it being a bit Chicken Little or being a little bit chicken...?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Now we know what happened to Herman Goering's old uniform.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

So what is it this chinless Rocket man wants, with endless Illegal waste dumping into the sea. I forgot.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

He is desperate in a world that has moved on. If he tries to nuc he knows it’s over. China his only (user) friend definitely have other plans other than nuclear war. It’s for domestic consumption I think. Not really something we should be concerned about, being concerned is the reason it happens, the reason he does it to get attention.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Time peter Pumpkinseed was taken head me thinks.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

The maître d' is looking quite dapper at least.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Kim is trying sooooo hard at being relevant in the world. He's like a little kid throwing tantrums, just to get attention. Go ahead, attack the ocean, you try to attack a country and your country is toast.

Glad you think a "kid throwing tantrums" is funny oh wait let me fix that.

A little kid with missiles and nuclear bombs throwing tantrums.

Or have you forgotten about the nukes?

Oh yes I know he cannot have many or reach the USA.

Great I don't live in the USA I live in Japan and as far as we know his missiles can reach here and even if he only has 2 or 3 nukes that is Seoul, Tokyo and Osaka gone.

And don't give the "but that would mean the destruction of NK, remember your own words a "little kid throwing tantrums" do you think he cares if he thinks he will lose a war and be taken out? No he will take as many with him as possible.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

What a handsome man! Smart and Intelligent! Within a country.

His son will change the whole North Korea, another 20-40 years waiting time.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Kim is trying sooooo hard at being relevant in the world. He's like a little kid throwing tantrums, just to get attention. Go ahead, attack the ocean, you try to attack a country and your country is toast.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Or do pro-Russia supporters prefer the planet die a slower death from environmental effects caused by continuing to burn huge amounts of fossil fuels. Putin and his fellow global fossil barons are doing what they can to harm all forms of life on the planet. Giving the rest of us a choice: slow death or faster.

Sorry but this is hilarious!

The USA produces 16 million barrels of oil per day and consumes 19 million barrels per day over 20% of the world production.

Russia produces 9 million barrels per day and consumes 3.6 million barrels or 3.7% of the world production.

I don't like Putin but the real oil problem isn't coming from Russia.

-7 ( +9 / -16 )

All readers back on topic please.

but why are the Kremlin threatening to use nukes, knowing it would most likely result in a nuclear war, 

Do I really have to explain that to you? Seriously?

Here wiki has a simplified explanation.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

No one thinks a nuclear war can be won 

On that we can agree, but why are the Kremlin threatening to use nukes, knowing it would most likely result in a nuclear war, which as you said is not winnable because most forms of life on the planet would be wiped out. Or do pro-Russia supporters prefer the planet die a slower death from environmental effects caused by continuing to burn huge amounts of fossil fuels. Putin and his fellow global fossil barons are doing what they can to harm all forms of life on the planet. Giving the rest of us a choice: slow death or faster.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Little kim practicing his summer Hanabi, should be an exiting season

0 ( +8 / -8 )

PTownsendToday  02:17 pm JST

Here is a more realistic question.

Those supporting NATO involvement against Russia are the same that back going after NK.

The same people that maintain both Kim and Putin are crazy or not in their right mind.

The same people that compare the two to Hitler and Stalin.

Now the simple question is this. If these guys are as so many claim the new wannabe Hitler/Stalin would either hesitate to take everyone and everything down with them if they are about to lose the war.

We know Hitler and Stalin would have fired every nuke if the situation came up so think long and hard.

No one thinks a nuclear war can be won and that is precisely the reasoning behind MAD ( mutually assured destruction) I suggest looking it up!

-12 ( +5 / -17 )

That is a very dandy uniform. Gold braid on white could be in this summer.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Looks like France and the UK and Germany and Japan are all shaking in their boots and no iam not being sarcastic.

If Japan truly wants to defend its self it better get a move on before it too late.

-25 ( +1 / -26 )

What's the point in down voting my comment he will be making a nuclear test soon.

Thats from CNN news today

Iam not supporting North Korean.

Pointless and ridiculous unless of course those down voting want a nuclear test

-24 ( +3 / -27 )

Larr FlintToday  01:44 pm JST

Nuclear test on Tokyo.

Japan should revise constitution as soon as possible and create regular army

And what would that do?

The time it would take to build, the fact nearly every available weapon out there is going to a certain place in Europe.

Japan couldn't field an army for years other than the renamed SDF.

And if the Pro NATO vs Russia get their way, NK will be dropping stuff on Japan long before any new Japanese army is ready and no the USA will not help because if it comes to choosing it's European NATO allies/commitments over it's Asian allies Japan and South Korea are on the loosing end.

-19 ( +7 / -26 )

Nothing to worry about unless the USA gets dragged into a war in, let's say "Europe" along with NATO.

Then those NK missiles may just be rerouted to a few more land based location.

Got your flights back home ready?

-12 ( +6 / -18 )

We ain't impressed, Marshmallow Head. Pick up your ball and jacks and beat it. We don't want to play with you, chump.

5 ( +12 / -7 )

Yep...and apparently he has a nuclear test coming in the next few days.

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

North Korea has a history of raising animosities with weapons tests when Seoul and Washington inaugurate new governments in an apparent bid to boost its leverage in future negotiations.

So they actually do have real news there?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

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