Worrying Korean development

[NutLoose]

see

Panama president tweets picture of North Korea 'missiles' ship (http://news.uk.msn.com/world/panama-president-tweets-picture-of-north-korea-missiles-ship/)

[Lonewolf_50]

The news story I read this morning indicated that Panama was looking for drugs, and found missile parts. Also said Captain of Korean ship attempted to commit suicide. :confused: A bit confusing, that last bit.

[downsizer]

Parts have been ID'd as being from an RSN-75 radar system....

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=RSN-75+radar+system&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=nlzlUdmALuSr0AXFo4DoAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=598

[Fareastdriver]

They are probably bits to replace panels on their parade missiles that have rusted away. I cannot see SA 2 missiles making one iota of difference to NK military capabilities.

[glad rag]

If they can light up then they need to be taken out.

Decoys perhaps?

[Tiger_mate]

Two Mig 21 bis and 15 engines also found according to the BBC. Dilutes the charade of the missiles being sent for repair and return a little.

[Buster Hyman]

Ok, so that's a RSN-75, two Mig21's, and assorted engines. I'll throw in Michael Jacksons Thriller album and a12 month subscription to Xbox Live for free.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-130301-dennis-rodman-nkorea-jsa-2.photoblog900.jpg

[Cows getting bigger]

:ok:

Yes, I don't see this little shopping trip as something that will shift the balance of power.

[Dysonsphere]

Yes but how many have been missed I wonder.

[sisemen]

The guy at the back of that pic has obviously been demoted to the back of the food queue along with all the other non-privileged citizens.

[TEEEJ]

The Cubans have issued a statement and revealed that two MiG-21s were also part of the cargo.

North Korean ship seized in Panama Canal carried suspected missile-system components - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/north-korean-ship-seized-in-panama-canal-carried-suspected-missile-system-components/2013/07/16/0234ad22-ee4f-11e2-9008-61e94a7ea20d_story.html)

Late Tuesday, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the ship was carrying 240 metric tons of “obsolete defensive weapons” to be repaired in North Korea and returned to Cuba. It listed the weapons as two Volga and Pechora antiaircraft missile systems, nine missiles “in parts and spares,” two Mig-21 aircraft and 15 engines for the planes — “all of it manufactured in the mid-twentieth century.”

[Bevo]

Doesn’t look like Cuba has much “modern” military hardware to provide. It's interesting that the MiG-21s are part of "defensive weapons".

Late Tuesday, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the ship was carrying 240 metric tons of “obsolete defensive weapons” to be repaired in North Korea and returned to Cuba. It listed the weapons as two Volga and Pechora antiaircraft missile systems, nine missiles “in parts and spares,” two Mig-21 aircraft and 15 engines for the planes — “all of it manufactured in the mid-twentieth century.” washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/north-korean-ship-seized-in-panama-canal-carried-suspected-missile-system-components/2013/07/16/0234ad22-ee4f-11e2-9008-61e94a7ea20d_story.html)

[Heathrow Harry]

no-one ever used a Mig21 for strike purposes unless they had nothing else

[Bevo]

Humm. Interesting. So there is no such thing as offensive air-to-air missions?

[Fareastdriver]

Had a quiet Google around North Korea:

Here's a nice bunch of IL28/J5s

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee224/fareastdriver/NKIL2s_zpsc886e822.jpg (http://s229.photobucket.com/user/fareastdriver/media/NKIL2s_zpsc886e822.jpg.html)

And a line of MIG 17/J5s


http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee224/fareastdriver/NKairfield_zpsbff9e3a5.jpg

[Heathrow Harry]

all nicely lined up (apart from the slacker in the upper picture far right)

one pass will take them all out...................

[Agaricus bisporus]

I wonder how many of them actually work?

[Epsilon minus]

Also said Captain of Korean ship attempted to commit suicide
After realizing he was meant to pass through the Suez Canal.

[500N]

I see Panama has endeared itself to Cuba and NK by charging the ships
screw with various things.

[GreenKnight121]

Buster Hyman... in regards to the pic you posted:
Dennis Rodman: Consider me for Nobel Peace Prize - CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57591995/dennis-rodman-consider-me-for-nobel-peace-prize/)

Dennis Rodman, who was voted NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice during his Hall of Fame Career, says he deserves consideration for another honor: Nobel Peace Prize. In an interview with Sports Illustrated (http://nba.si.com/2013/07/02/dennis-rodman-nobel-peace-prize-sports-illustrated-cover-story-north-korea/), the fierce rebounder-turned-gentle-diplomat said his "mission is to break the ice between hostile countries."

Rodman famously visited North Korea in February and sat next to Kim Jong Un - a diehard basketball fan - as they watched an exhibition game. The trip irked the U.S. government at a time of escalating tensions between Pyongyang and Washington.

"Why it's been left to me to smooth things over, I don't know. Dennis Rodman, of all people," said the former NBA forward, who tallied 212 technical fouls in his NBA career. "But I'll tell you this: If I don't finish in the top three for the next Nobel Peace Prize, something's seriously wrong."

Rodman also told the magazine that he plans to go back to North Korea in August to visit Kim - a.k.a. his "friend for life. (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57571780/dennis-rodman-tells-n-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-you-have-a-friend-for-life/)"

"I'm just gonna chill, play some basketball and maybe go on vacation with Kim and his family," Rodman said (http://nba.si.com/2013/07/02/dennis-rodman-nobel-peace-prize-sports-illustrated-cover-story-north-korea/).

In May (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57583435/dennis-rodman-to-kim-jong-un-do-me-a-solid-and-free-detained-american/), Rodman attempted to leverage his relationship with Kim, calling on the North Korean leader to release Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in the North.

So far, Kim has not granted that request. If he does, maybe Rodman could win the Nobel after all.
© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

[Buster Hyman]

It's hard to tell which one is the dribbling idiot isn't it GK...

[Bigpants]

No need to worry we can always rely on Team America....