Int'l unity crumbles over N Korea; Trump to let Japan, S Korea buy more military equipment

Pyongyang dictatorship will have to fully comply with all U.N. Security Council resolutions and submit to compliance measures to ensure future action ranging from independent monitoring/inspection procedures are fully respected .

Kim Jong-Un belligerent nuclear and ballistic missile programs are a clear danger to the peoples and democratic governments  of South Korea and Japan. The global community has left no doubt,  requesting both  Russian and Chinese governments support further sanctions to avoid a devastating conflict. Both Governments have refused to cooperate and support actions at the United nations to compel the  Pyongyang dictatorship to refrain and curtail  it's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Future sanctions must be punitive and focused on all economic interests including the isolation of individuals and  companies that operate  across all sectors outside of the regime. Specifically Chinese and Russian energy sector, oil and coal. The US Treasury Department has the means to identify and target these companies. No quarter should be given that would allow third parties that provide the Pyongyang dictatorship the means to continue to flout sanctions.

Only full compliance with the U.N. Security Council resolutions will ultimately prevent  what is rapidly deteriorating into the use of   military action that's consequences would mean catastrophic loss of life. 

Surgical strikes are the stuff of media inspired 'top gun' tomfoolery.  Pyongyang dictatorship has brought the world to the brink of total war.

Abe should wake up from his worsening Stockholm Syndrome and steer Japan away from fighting a destructive catastrophe with a war with a NK that have no quarrel with the Japanese people.

You keep posting this. It is no more believable today than it was yesterday or the day before or the day before that when you posted the same thing. DPRK hates Japan. Japan is likely to be the first target of fatboy's mental illness.

Good ol' America, why let the prospect of a full on Nuclear War get in the way of making profit.

the sale of "many billions of dollars' worth of military weapons and equipment" to Seoul.

I wonder if Mr Trump has shares in these military companies?

500 kilograms on its ballistic missiles under to a 2001 agreement with the United States, but this limit has now been lifted.

It always amazes me that things can move so quickly when you want thing to.

as for more sanctions, what a waste of time, oil embargo, trade, etc in stead of going into NK ports, they will go to China and drive the stuff over the boarders,

NK is nothing more than China dressed in shabby clothing.

The US has long prided itself on being able to "surgically strike" targets all over the globe. We all know that isn't truly accurate, but maybe the time is coming for that option to be seriously placed on the table!

It won't work. Unless a 'surgical strike' can take out all nuclear missiles and nuclear facilities at the same time, all NK will do is launch what's left and kill millions. There is no acceptable price to pay for this...

I have friends and loved ones in Japan... so naturally I fear that Dumb and Dumber will light the blue touch paper and send the world into Armageddon... over a dick measuring contest!

"When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won't,"　the U.S. ambassador said.

Why on Earth do they think that North Korea would think any differently?

Donald Trump is a deal artist.

Why does anyone expect Putin and Jinping to stir up trouble with KJU? Their neighbor, with whom they have had a working relationship? To please their adversaries? Nobody with any commonsense would do that.

The conditionals " NK must do this, must do that" is not diplomacy, Orders don't work well with sovereigns. Every one can take a walk, each to his own "house" so to speak , and should feel to buy or make as many arms as they like. Free world indeed.

There never was global unity.  everyone wins as things are.  L'il Kim keeps his populace in check and under his propaganda spell.  Russia and China do a bit of trade and also keep the US on its toes,  US makes money selling more arms to SK and Japan.  Honest Abe ramps up the panic to deflect attention from his dismal domestic record.  SK gets to play the victim in all this.  UN gets to posture and bluster but achieve nothing.  Worlds media gets to fill endless written and spoken and viewed articles with nonsense about the situation.

Why? China openly finances them.

china doesn't finance them, they trade with them. if only we did the same, the situation will deescalate and i can feel safe to go to seoul and watch the famous dancing knives theatre show.

 i suspect america and japan secretly finance KJU. feel sorry for south korea though

Why? China openly finances them.

NK is convenient for USA, (weapon sales), and Japan, (nobody remembers Abe and wife's misdeeds and constitution change on track). i suspect america and japan secretly finance KJU. feel sorry for south korea though.

One thing is for certain from all this; we now know that Russia and China are permanent enemies of the West whose end goal is to see nuclear destruction on either SK, Japan or the US. This is a very good thing to know and they should be treated as hostile going forward

Abe should wake up from his worsening Stockholm Syndrome and steer Japan away from fighting a destructive catastrophe with a war with a NK that have no quarrel with the Japanese people

Debatable.

The danger here is if the good PM...

Really?

...will again fall prey to the biggest WMD supplier in the galaxy and purchase billions of dollars of such weapons which will make Tokyo only a big target in the region that...

...is still suffering from the bite of the lethal fangs of history.

Can't say I agree with this at all.

While I don't agree with some of your word choices here, I do agree with most of what you said and I'm actually in agreement with China and Russia on this.

NK is drawing US into East Asia, thwarting China's effort to drive US out. Very good ally of China, Mr Kim! But then its all China's own fault. It gave nuke to Pakistan in the 70s and 80s, then the Paks gave it to the Kims.

North Korea, that is.

I think japanese in general are aware of the pachinko money to Korea funnel, but dont really care.

Can you post a link to some source that verifies this? And do most Japanese people (especially pachinkolers) know this?

https://www.newrule.jp/topics/korea1.html

Says here: An estimated 20-30% of Japan's 15000 pachinko are associated to Chongryun, with 20 under direct management, with assets of 627 billion yen at its highest point.

I hope Shinzo will realize that Nippon's past victimizer Amerika no longer have the moral high ground it enjoyed wearing before after VN, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Panama and their making the Ryukyus the Crimea of Asia.

Abe should wake up from his worsening Stockholm Syndrome and steer Japan away from fighting a destructive catastrophe with a war with a NK that have no quarrel with the Japanese people.

The danger here is if the good PM will again fall prey to the biggest WMD supplier in the galaxy and purchase billions of dollars of such weapons which will make Tokyo only a big target in the region that is still suffering from the bite of the lethal fangs of history.

This is the right time for Antonio Inoki to replace the ailing Shinzo because the former have a more deeper and realistic understanding vis a vis Japanese and North Korean relationship not tainted by any bits of colonial mentality that this present Japanese leadership have stockpiled in their coconut gray matter.

The policies of such a ' Stockholm Syndrome ' junta therefore is now a clear threat to Japan and the Japanese people themselves.

Kestrel: Yubaru is correct - the pachinko money goes to N Korea

Interesting. I never knew about that. Can you post a link to some source that verifies this? And do most Japanese people (especially pachinkolers) know this?

Also, I wish people would stop criticizing his hair. In that country, it's fashionable (i.e., required). And as for his heft, maybe that's fashionable too.

Thank you, president Trump.

Yubaru is correct - the pachinko money goes to N Korea.

Russia and China support North Korea. Tells you a bit about the character of those two countries. No class, no morals.

Dango Bong: Have you see what two countries share a border with North Korea on its Northern side? While not out right Anti-US, they both don't want to have US topple NK and then setup camp in the "liberated" NK right on their border. This is also about using NK as a buffer zone to their own borders, NK isn't directly threatening either of them, they would be less happy to have US take over NK and setup bases closer to their borders.

And none of us could be naive enough to think if a war broke out and US were to win (Without the other two powers getting involved) then US would setup "peace keeping / defence" forces in NK.

What a convenient business opportunity for the US. Force other countries into wars, invade and/or occupy other countries in order to test weaponry, then sell the same weaponry to those countries so that others won't invade them. Rinse and repeat. Works like a charm every time.

"Resorting to just any sanctions in this situation is useless and inefficient,"

"All of this can lead to a global planetary catastrophe and a great number of victims,"

Says Putin. A catastrophe that Russia and China can prevent but won't.

China and Russia will benefit from NK provocations. Disarmament is not an option for NK so what is the end game?

the president may approve the sale of "many billions of dollars' worth of military weapons and equipment" 

That should say it all.

The disagreements appeared to be splitting the world into familiar opposing diplomatic camps, with China and Russia resisting pressure for more action from London, Tokyo and Washington.

Yeah, and in the last several years, it showed Russia and China were right in the cases of Libya, Iran, and Syria, or even as far back as Iraq.

When it comes down to it, there's no way Russia and China would risk a deteriorating relationship with an already edgy neighbor for the US' benefit, that ultimately won't benefit either China or Russia anyway. Let's say they take out North Korea, what's next? US bases literally on Russia and China's borders. They'll instead keep a close eye on N Korea and yeah, in a way, protect it For as long as N Korea exists, the world's perception of US power wanes, especially with Trump. Dying empires tend to go on an offensive.

"When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won't," the U.S. ambassador said.

"When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, [and have invaded and destroyed many countries like Iraq, Libya and Syria], you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won't," the NK ambassador said.

The world can probably cope with one lunatic leader, not so sure about having two.

Russia and China support North Korea. Tells you a bit about the character of those two countries. No class, no morals.

I think you'll find other powerful countries supporting appalling regimes out of self-interest.

And more of my tax money goes to the instruments of death producing 1%ers, even as they increase the chances that I will be vaporized in an atomic war.

I believe that is SK not NK.

Then you would be believing wrong!

Is the sanction being applied to Japan also? It is rumored that a lot of money is sent to North Korea from Japan's pachinko businesses.

Freezing of private assets and cash remittances would be difficult. If Japan makes any move to do so, expect the usual "human rights, these people only want to support their families, Abe is Hitler, racism, bigotry, etc."

Inexplicably, someone will then shoehorn Yasukuni and comfort women into the argument.

Kerching.

The Merchant of Death will sell billions of weapons & contracts, after that turnaround and start negotiating.

Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.

It still gets back to economic sanctions only exacerbate the brinksmanship. If I cut off your ability to run your financial life, you're likely going to tell me to sod off.

Even Trump's own security adviser has said that KJU learned that giving up a weapons program will only make it easier for the US to strike.

The leaders of Iraq and Lybia and their families were killed after they gave up their weapons programs. Their countries and societies are ruined and hundreds of thousands are dead, maimed and former functioning nations are now destroyed.

The only way to survive is to have a weapons program.

Trump to let Japan, S Korea buy more military equipment

KERCHIIING !

Russia and China support North Korea. Tells you a bit about the character of those two countries. No class, no morals.

@domtoidi

This fallacious comparison with, well imagine if Russia held drills with Mexico etc is just ignoring the reality of the situation.

Mexico and Russia aren't allies in a war that never actually ended with up with Mexico pursuing a weapons program that the entire international community including its allies has been working for decades to stop both for peace in the region as well as the well being of their own citizens..

I don't think Trumps blustering tit for tat verbal escalations help (nor do I think he is a capable or credible president personally but thats beside the point), but these missile and nuclear tests weren't something that just happened.. NK has been pushing for this, likely with help from factions within China/Russia.

This isn't western imperialism or any such thing, its a rouge state supported primarily by China to serve their own purposes to the detriment of the people unfortunate enough to live in NK and the safety of us all.

US/Japan/South Korea etc have gone to the table a number of times, send assistance in food and money multiple times just to have it used for NK's military and to push its nuclear plans.

Im not suggesting anyone wants or should want war, or strikes or any other thing that leads to loss of life but.. the responsibility for this situation rests in one place, and that is with a fat man with a funny hair cut.. (the one in NK...)

I believe that is SK not NK.

No it's NK.

The roaming fading empire is running out of steam. Running the economy off of the military industrial complex is surely moot seeing as one day, maybe not today, ten years later, the planet will run out of boogeymen. With Syria almost liberated, another boogeyman is required. Trumpo needs the economy to appear healthy while keeping the Russian narrative out of the papers all the while sticking it to China.

Kims the best thing to happen to the american military industrial complex.

It's like whack-a-mole. It's not possible to hit everywhere at once.

Good for the deal. Japan and S. Korea should be better prepared to defend themselves.

I agree with Yubaru, of course. There is no such thing as a surgical strike. It's fiction.

Is the sanction being applied to Japan also? It is rumored that a lot of money is sent to North Korea from Japan's pachinko businesses.

I believe that is SK not NK.

Is the sanction being applied to Japan also? It is rumored that a lot of money is sent to North Korea from Japan's pachinko businesses.

If China and Russia want to talk "Peace" with NK then let them.... because all NK wants is money or aid and the USA, Japan and SK are not playing that game anymore. Let China or Russia pay them off. This isn't about war or NK fearing a U.S. attack... it is about NK using their weapons to extort money or aid.

Sanctions are an economic attack.

NK told the Trump administration that it was open to negotiation about ending sanctions, along with ending the provocative military drills simulations attacks on NK.

Trump told them to take a hike. They want a war.

Every NK action has been a reaction, not a random display. The joint Japanese-US exercise in Hokkaido was a simulated attack on NK. NK flew a missle over Hokkaido to show that it could.

75,000 troops, along with B1B and other aircraft simulated an attack on NK. NK talked about flying missiles in the direction of Guam (where the B1B are's based) to show that it could.

If Russia held an exercise with 75,000 troops and equipment across the border in Mexico, the US. Would be crapping in its pants.

If Russia held live fire naval exercises off the coast of NY, the US would be peeing in its pants.

Trade with any country elevates both countries and they are less likely to kill each other.

Stop the madness. Stop thinking that holding your foot over another's neck will lead to good relations.

The US has long prided itself on being able to "surgically strike" targets all over the globe. We all know that isn't truly accurate, but maybe the time is coming for that option to be seriously placed on the table!