North Korea!

[Asturias56]

[Breaking] NK leader Kim reportedly in critical condition after surgery: CNN

By Choi Si-young (http://m.koreaherald.com/search/list_name.php?byline=Choi+Si-young)

Speculation mounts about Kim's health, but no confirmation yet about rumors


That'll be the Korean Herald that reported he was dead about 3 years ago??????

[Fareastdriver]

The Young Fat Wun will have been dead for weeks before North Korea would announce it. His 'life' would carry on with body doubles until those with the notebooks have sorted out the new pecking order.

Only then with full pomp and ceremony will the death and funeral be announced.

Shame about the body doubles.

[Asturias56]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-52364055

Reports (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-52364055Reports) that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is seriously ill after heart surgery are not true, officials in South Korea have said.

Headlines that Kim Jong-un was "gravely ill", "brain-dead" or "recovering from an operation" were always going to be impossible to verify. But the presidential office in Seoul has said there have been no particular signs from the North to indicate the 36-year-old is "gravely ill". It is also not the first time rumours about his health have fired up intense flurries of speculation - only to be later dismissed.When did speculation start?Kim Jong-un recently missed the celebration of his grandfather's birthday on 15 April. This is one of the biggest events of the year, marking the birth of the nation's founder. Kim Jong-un has never missed it - and it seemed very unlikely that he would simply choose not to turn up. Inevitably, his absence prompted speculation and rumour, none of which is easy to substantiate. Kim Jong-un last appeared in state media on 12 April "inspecting a pursuit assault plane group" in a handout that is undated. As ever, the images portrayed him as relaxed and at ease. We know he chaired a key political meeting the day before, from state media despatches. But he has not been seen since.The first report of illnessThe claim about Kim Jong-un's ill health surfaced in a report for a website run by North Korean defectors on Tuesday. An anonymous source told the Daily NK that they understood he had been struggling with cardiovascular problems since last August "but it worsened after repeated visits to Mount Paektu". North Korean leader rides horse up sacred mountain (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-50064893)

This led to a chain of reporting by international media on a single-sourced story. News agencies then began to run with that claim, and it was all they had until some reports emerged that intelligence agencies in South Korea and the US were monitoring the claim. But then came a more sensational headline in US media that the North Korean leader was in a critical condition after heart surgery. However, a statement from the South Korean government, and sources at Chinese intelligence - speaking to the Reuters news agency - said this was not true.

It is very much worth noting that at no point has anyone denied that Kim Jong-un has had heart surgery. The statements from South Korea and China merely deny that the North Korean leader is seriously ill. The population of North Korea would usually not be kept informed about their leader's health status.

Not the first time he has 'gone missing'

In 2014, Kim Jong-Un disappeared for 40 days from early September - which sparked a torrent of speculation, including that he had been ousted in a coup by other political grandees. Then he re-appeared, pictured with a cane. State media at the time admitted he was suffering from an "uncomfortable physical condition", but did not address rumours that he was suffering from gout.

[Martin the Martian]

A heart condition? With his svelte figure?

Who'da thunk it?

[Asturias56]

Or Gout either!

[MPN11]

Warning ... the Cheese Diet is not recommended for normal people.

[VinRouge]

Doesn’t NCov go after fatties?


I hope No.10 have sent a get well soon card.

[Airbubba]

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently had surgery, could be incapacitated, US officials say
Published Tue, Apr 21 202010:12 AM EDT

Updated Moments Ago
Yelena Dzhanova (https://www.cnbc.com/yelena-dzhanova/)@YelenaDzhanova (https://twitter.com/@YelenaDzhanova)
Amanda Macias (https://www.cnbc.com/amanda-macias/)@amanda_m_macias (https://twitter.com/amanda_m_macias)
Mike Calia (https://www.cnbc.com/mike-calia/)

U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un recently had cardiovascular surgery, NBC News reported Tuesday, citing American officials.

The intelligence also suggests that Kim could be incapacitated, NBC added, citing some of those officials.

The update came after the South Korean currency, the won, took a hit (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/21/south-korean-won-tumbles-as-unconfirmed-report-says-kim-jong-un-is-seriously-ill.html) following an unconfirmed report that Kim was seriously ill. Kim has been out of public view for several days, according to officials cited by NBC.

The new report also seemed to contradict what South Korea’s presidential office had told NBC News.


https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/21/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-recently-had-surgery-could-be-incapacitated-us-officials-say.html

[Asturias56]

as the BBC says:- "The truth is when it comes to information about the North Korean leadership, we are often all scrambling around in the dark."

Personally I'd believe the S Korean Govt. they watch the North obsessively and have noticed no changes in behaviour (I assume that means no sign of strengthened military presence around major comms stations, Govt hide-outs etc )

[dogsridewith]

Can't wait for the next Great Leaders summit between Donald Trump and Kim's sister--Little Rocket Girl...er, Little Rocket Woman? Lady?

[jolihokistix]

The last photo of him I remember seeing, he was surrounded by lessers wearing black face masks. I thought at the time that they must have been ordered to wear a mask, but that he must be very confident of something.
April 12th.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/Why-Kim-Jong-Un-rapid-fires-missiles-as-world-fights-coronavirus

President Xi Jinping always wears one in public, but Trump never does.

https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fs3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com%2Fpsh-ex-ftnikkei-3937bb4%2Fimages%2F0%2F1%2F6%2F7%2F26097610-3-eng-GB%2FCropped-1586505092RTS34GS5.jpg?source=nar-cms

[dead_pan]

Doesn’t NCov go after fatties?


I hope No.10 have sent a get well soon card.

With a generous lick of the stamp and envelope.

'SWALC' Sealed with a loving coronavirus

[Buster Hyman]

If he's just back from Advanced Hair, I hope they've left the country!

[Asturias56]

Of course it's a well known technique to "disappear" or "reported as ill" by all great dictators - you're looking to see who is smiling and who is plotting - then its back to work and get out all those anti-aircraft guns...........

[WB627]

Kim Jong-un appears in public, North Korean state media report -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-52508437

KCNA news agency reports that the North Korean leader cut the ribbon at the opening of a fertiliser factory.

Could be bullsh1t :oh:

[Ascend Charlie]

Didn't think they needed a factory, Yung Fat Wun produces enough as it is.

[Asturias56]

Kim Jong-un appears in public, North Korean state media report -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-52508437

Could be bullsh1t :oh:

Fits in with the fact his personal boat and his train are parked up at a resort not too far from this factory. The S Korean Govt has been adamant throughout that they though he was alive and just self-isolating.

Too many people are willing to believe a single media report in S Korea and too many papers etc have time on their hands to publish a load of guesswork

[Green Flash]

Clone/bullet trap maybe?

[Less Hair]

Most bizarre media speculation. We obviously just don't know what and how he is doing. But reports claim to know stuff. Why not wait for hard facts next time? Erodes media credibility.

[Imagegear]

That cannot be him in the Beeb picture, has to be a clone.

IG

[Less Hair]

There are current TV news features about the opening. He seems to have some new big Porsche like some Cayenne?

[tdracer]

Most bizarre media speculation. We obviously just don't know what and how he is doing. But reports claim to know stuff. Why not wait for hard facts next time? Erodes media credibility.

What credibility? The media has long since left any resemblance of credibility in the dust - now all they are interested in is their agenda and ratings (with the priority of those two up for debate).

[Imagegear]

What credibility? The media has long since left any resemblance of credibility in the dust - now all they are interested in is their agenda and ratings (with the priority of those two up for debate).

Absolutely, media organisations exist by virtue of their ability to influence opinion and choice. I don't think we will see the day again, where one can listen to actual news for 15 minutes a day, without all the advertising, propaganda, spin, lies and agenda blabber. Most of which I have to say originates in the West.

IG

[Asturias56]

Problem is the media were feeding wish fulfillment - a lot of people on here want to see him dead and N Korea a democracy (and see the https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/632008-china-s-expansionist-strategy.html thread for some really unhinged prejudices about things Asian)

The media published the stories because they knew people would like to hear it - and it cost them nothing - straight cut 'n paste job from your lock down PC - and no chance of a complaint to whatever media watchdog where they publish.

[Imagegear]

Asti,

I must say, as the OP of the China's Expansionist Strategy thread, that while I am not unduly filled with the sour milk of appeasement in regard to North Korea, that border has been fermenting for a lot longer than my existence. Would democracy in NK bring about peace? perhaps between the North and the South, but will China allow it to happen? Not in my lifetime I suggest.

As for Little Fat Wun, I would not propose his immediate demise anymore than I would the tiger mosquito which buzzed round my head for half the night. I would just be satisfied with him buzzing off out the window.

IG

[Lyneham Lad]

On the BBC News website.
North and South Korea have exchanged gunfire in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) which divides the two countries. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-52518844)

[Asturias56]

Two shots apparently - sounds like finger trouble.................. first time in 3-4 years

[Asturias56]

Asti,

I must say, as the OP of the China's Expansionist Strategy thread, that while I am not unduly filled with the sour milk of appeasement in regard to North Korea, that border has been fermenting for a lot longer than my existence. Would democracy in NK bring about peace? perhaps between the North and the South, but will China allow it to happen? Not in my lifetime I suggest.

As for Little Fat Wun, I would not propose his immediate demise anymore than I would the tiger mosquito which buzzed round my head for half the night. I would just be satisfied with him buzzing off out the window.

IG
Image

I once had an incredibly boozy dinner with some very senior S Korean businessmen. The Oldest wanted to invade the North tomorrow, the middle aged guy was worried what it would do to the economy and the youngest wouldn't take NK if it was offered on a plate for free. I was astonished that they were all willing to debate the subject without the usual "rank" issues . They said it was an argument that went on all the time - in offices, at home, down the bar - so my view is that if they can't make up their minds we should stay well out of it

[Imagegear]

One can only hope that "finger trouble" does not extend to nukes

IG

[tdracer]

Is it real, or is it Memorex...Another Twitterer said Kim looks “slightly different” during his most recent appearance. “Have y’all seen the latest pics of Kim Jong Un? He looks slightly different. My theory is either that he died and was replaced by a clone/lookalike, or was out of the public eye for so long bc he was recovering from plastic surgery.”

“His nose seems a little bit more rounded, his hairline looks wider, and he used to have WAY more wrinkles around the eyes when he smiled. The hairline may just be receding or a fresh new haircut, but the smoother eyes and slightly different nose have me questioning things.”

In 2017, The Sun (https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4125913/kim-jong-un-body-doubles-revealed-to-the-world-as-dictator-natters-to-two-lookalikes-before-missile-test/) posted photos of Kim talking to not one but two body doubles. “The dictator was filmed chatting away to the two lookalikes – dressed identically in his trademark black pinstripe suit and Cuban heels,”
https://www.dailywire.com/news/kim-jong-un-photos-spark-wild-theories-about-a-body-double?%3Futm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dwtwitter

[k3k3]

The most recent clip I saw of him on television showed a blurring around the corner of his jaw and in front of his left ear, I thought at first they were masking a pimple or something that would make him look imperfect to his people, but who knows...

[Lyneham Lad]

Well, it would seem that President Putin thinks Kim Jong-un is still worth flattering...
Riddle over Putin’s honour for Kim Jong-un, hero of Second World War (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a5a2e5de-8ee1-11ea-a1ff-1dde97c98818?shareToken=2fd7d032bcc1a1ee0d4cc9651e6de7ca)

(Article in The Times today)

[Asturias56]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52554612South Korea's intelligence agency has said rumours about Kim Jong-un's health were groundless, and there are no signs he had heart surgery.

The North Korean leader recently went 20 days without appearing in public, and missed the celebration of his grandfather's birthday - one of the biggest events of the year.

Some media reports claimed he was "gravely ill", or even dead. But he then appeared at a fertiliser factory - apparently in good health.
What did South Korean intelligence say?The head of South Korea's intelligence agency, Suh Hoon, spoke to a parliamentary committee on Wednesday. He said there were no signs that rumours about Kim Jong-un's health were true, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. The committee heard the North Korean leader had appeared in public 17 times this year. By this time of year, he would normally have appeared 50 times. But that could have been down to a Covid-19 outbreak, said one member of the committee - even though North Korea officially has no cases.

"It cannot be ruled out that there is an outbreak in North Korea," the lawmaker Kim Byung-kee said. "Kim Jong-un had focused on consolidating internal affairs such as military forces and party-state meetings, and coronavirus concerns have further limited his public activity."

[Lyneham Lad]

In The Times today.

North Korea builds giant base for nuclear missiles (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/8ef33218-8fa3-11ea-a1ff-1dde97c98818?shareToken=a1441a00984e72823bbea636d90dee33)

North Korea is constructing a giant storage and assembly area for its nuclear ballistic missiles, according to an analysis of new satellite photographs, as it consolidates its weapons of mass destruction following the failure of talks between Kim Jong-un (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kim-jong-un-profile-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-north-korean-leader-xxspw0g8r) and President Trump.

[Fareastdriver]

I wouldn't have thought that they would put all their eggs in one basket.

[ORAC]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kim-jong-uns-sister-threatens-enemy-neighbour-with-military-action-nkvd377k8

Kim Jong-un’s sister threatens ‘enemy’ neighbour with military action

South Korean security authorities held an emergency meeting yesterday after the sister of North Korea (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/north-korea-hints-at-more-nuclear-tests-as-it-hits-out-at-trump-v7f59mr29)’s supreme leader threatened unspecified military action and a halt to co-operative relations between Pyongyang and Seoul.

South Korea’s ministries of defence and unification said that the situation was “grave” after the warning by Kim Yo-jong, younger sister of Kim Jong-un (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/portly-kim-jong-un-waddles-back-into-spotlight-with-marks-that-point-to-heart-trouble-r5t99d5wr), who is rapidly emerging as the second most powerful person in North Korea.

In a statement issued on Saturday Ms Kim came as close as any Pyongyang official has to tearing up agreements made in 2018 after the summit between the leaders of North and South. These include the establishment of a joint liaison office for officials from both countries in the North Korean city of Kaesong, close to the border.

More alarmingly, Ms Kim also dropped clear, but unspecific, hints that some kind of military action was being considered.

“I feel it is high time to surely break with the South Korean authorities. We will soon take a next action,” Ms Kim said, on the government-run Korean Central News Agency. “Before long, a tragic scene of the useless north-south joint liaison office completely collapsed would be seen. The right to taking the next action against the enemy will be entrusted to the General Staff of our army.”......

Hints of North Korean military action are taken seriously in South Korea. Ten years ago, during a previous period of tension, a South Korean naval corvette was sunk at sea with the loss of 46 sailors, an act for which Seoul blamed the North Koran navy.

“By exercising my power authorised by the supreme leader, our party and the state, I gave an instruction to the arms of the department in charge of the affairs with enemy to decisively carry out the next action,” said Ms Kim, who is believed to be 32, and who has become one of her brother’s closest advisers. “It is necessary to make them keenly feel what they have done.”

[KiloB]

Very interesting that it is little-sister who is making an announcement of this nature and not Fat Wun. Is the logic to make it easier to back away from actually doing anything, or is the intent to build up her ‘cred’ because???
You can be sure there is some logic. (However illogical)

[Buster Hyman]

Testing the water as the USA is in turmoil...perhaps.

[West Coast]

Announcing her presence with authority as a player just in case the NK watchers weren’t sure of her true status.

[Fareastdriver]

Maybe Kim Fat Wun croaked a few months ago as was rumoured. His sister is now establishing her position before the event is disclosed to the North Korean public.

[heights good]

With it being arguably the biggest threat faced by the West and potentially most significant use of air power, surprised to see so little speculation about N Korea. The US VP spoke of "options". What might they be?...this is a rumour forum after all.

NK doesn't seriously feature on any rational country's radar other than the South. They may have nukes but have no way to deliver them reliably and have virtually no fissile material.

They are not a credible threat to the world.

[ORAC]

North Korea has blown up the inter-Korean office sited in the joint manufacturing complex on the border.

https://www.nknews.org/2020/06/explosions-heard-near-inter-korean-liaison-office-in-kaesong-local-press/

North Korea demolishes inter-Korean liaison office at Kaesong, South says

[Fareastdriver]

I bet all the fridges, coffee machines, computers etc levitated on to the back of lorries before the event.

[Green Flash]

Sounds like L'il Sister has arrived with a bang!

[jolihokistix]

Things do build up. The thunder box had not been used for a while, I hear.

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Sounds like L'il Sister has arrived with a bang!
is this going to be a regular cyclical bout of excitement ?!?!

[Fortissimo]

They are not a credible threat to the world.

I admire your optimism!

NK is a destabilising influence in that part of the world and the danger lies in its noisy leadership prompting some form of strategic miscalculation, regardless of how reliable its nuke delivery system may be. And if the miscalculation is prompted in the tiny mind of 'King Comb-over while he fiddles with his enormous nuclear button in the comfort of his Mar-a-Lago castle, the effects of that are likely to be felt beyond NK. I am not suggesting there will be a nuclear exchange (or even a one-way gifting), just pointing out that even small intemperate actions can have unpredictable consequences, hence the concept of 'the strategic corporal' changing the direction of a campaign through an in-disciplined tactical action. State-level instability is never a good thing.

[Green Flash]

is this going to be a regular cyclical bout of excitement ?!?! Perhaps SK are wondering that too. I suppose it all depends on what L'il Sister does next.

[Lonewolf_50]

For Green Flash: she'll dance

:Eshe'll dance.

For heights good:
NK doesn't seriously feature on any rational country's radar other than the South.
Our friends in Japan are on line 2, and would like to know what you are drinking.

[Green Flash]

Prefer the SRV version myself Wolfy but yes, things are looking like they are warming up.

[Lonewolf_50]

Bravo, Green Flash. And lest we be accused of going off topic, Stevie Ray was lost in a helicopter accident, so this is aviation content. (OK, that's a reach)

[Asturias56]

"NK doesn't seriously feature on any rational country's radar other than the South. Our friends in Japan are on line 2, and would like to know what you are drinking."

With you here Wolf - I'm pretty sure President Xi is another one who wonders what the hell they'll do next - however big you are having the Kim family next door must be a nightmare..........

[Lonewolf_50]

- however big you are having the Kim family next door must be a nightmare.......... Or, a source of not-so-innocent merriment, depending on the sense of humor of Mr Xi. :} He may just hear what the Kim family does, of an evening, and simply speed dial his local popcorn supplier.

[Asturias56]

Hmm - the last thing he wants is the Kim family waving their (limited ) stock of A bombs around at one and all - after all he IS next door.................. bit like have the local Meths family across the street I think...

[Lyneham Lad]

On The Times website.
Japan considers capability for pre-emptive strike against North Korea (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/593dc238-b22a-11ea-839f-3d38a5cc49e9?shareToken=b95eb2e8b504278ab9ba6673f2892c23)

Japan is running out of time to protect itself against North Korean missile attack and needs to consider gaining the ability to carry out pre-emptive attacks, the country’s prime minister has said.

In a move that will alarm China (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/indians-enraged-by-savage-chinese-attack-on-soldiers-at-ladakh-border-9ss3mnq2r) and South Korea, as well as many Japanese, Shinzo Abe (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/shinzo-abe-lied-over-scandal-and-must-quit-says-mentor-bc5xh25z3)’s government will consider awarding itself the right to carry out such attacks, which are arguably banned by the country’s “peace constitution”.

“We should renew our discussion of adequate deterrence, considering North Korea’s missile technology has advanced since the time we introduced our missile defence systems,” Mr Abe said in a speech and press conference after the closing of the country’s Diet. “It’s not acceptable to create a vacuum in our defence,” he added. “Peace is something that is not given but needs to be earned.”

Click for rest of article.

[ORAC]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/north-korea-has-probably-developed-nuclear-devices-to-fit-ballistic-missiles-un

North Korea has 'probably' developed nuclear devices to fit ballistic missiles – UN

North Korea is pressing on with its nuclear weapons programme (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/24/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-holds-talks-on-increasing-nuclear-war-deterrence) and several countries believe it has “probably developed miniaturised nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles,” according to a confidential UN report.

The report by an independent panel of experts monitoring UN sanctions said the countries, which it did not identify, believed North Korea’s past six nuclear tests had likely helped it develop miniaturised nuclear devices. Pyongyang has not conducted a nuclear test since September 2017.

The interim report, seen by Reuters, was submitted to the 15-member UN security council North Korea sanctions committee on Monday.

“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is continuing its nuclear program, including the production of highly enriched uranium and construction of an experimental light water reactor. A member state assessed that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is continuing production of nuclear weapons,” the report said......

The UN report said one country, which it did not identify, assessed that North Korea “may seek to further develop miniaturisation in order to allow incorporation of technological improvements such as penetration aid packages or, potentially, to develop multiple warhead systems”.

North Korea has been subjected to UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. While the security council has steadily strengthened sanctions, UN monitors regularly report that North Korea’s continues to enhance its programs and violate sanctions.

Kim and the US president, Donald Trump, have met three times (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/27/donald-trump-hails-great-leader-kim-jong-un-at-hanoi-summit) since 2018 but failed to make progress on US calls for Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons and North Korea’s demands for an end to sanctions.

In May 2018 North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels (https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2018/may/25/north-korea-destroys-punggye-ri-test-site-in-pictures) at its main nuclear test site, Punggye-ri, which Pyongyang said was proof of its commitment to end nuclear testing. But it did not allow experts to witness the dismantling of the site.

The UN report said that as only tunnel entrances were known to have been destroyed and there was no indication of a comprehensive demolition, one country had assessed that North Korea could rebuild and reinstall within three months the infrastructure needed to support a nuclear test.

[Lonewolf_50]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/04/north-korea-has-probably-developed-nuclear-devices-to-fit-ballistic-missiles-un

North Korea has 'probably' developed nuclear devices to fit ballistic missiles – UN And why not? In for a pinch, in for a pound. Or, to misquote General Powell somewhat: "Go big or go home."

[Islandlad]

It may be.time to free the people of the oppressive regime and by doing so keep the rest of us safe. Get China on side and you are in business.

What's Donald gonna do today? :confused:

[OvertHawk]

It may be.time to free the people of the oppressive regime and by doing so keep the rest of us safe. Get China on side and you are in business.

What's Donald gonna do today? :confused:

Trouble is that those millions of people you want to free will fight you to the death to try and stop you freeing them!!!

That does not sound especially safe to me.

And there's no way you'll get China on side - they may not be keen on having Yung Fat Wun as their neighbour but that last thing they want on that border is a democratic unified Korea!

[Dan Gerous]

It may be.time to free the people of the oppressive regime and by doing so keep the rest of us safe. Get China on side and you are in business.

Why not, Iraq, Libya Syria and Afghanistan turned out OK

[hunterboy]

[QUOTE]Why not, Iraq, Libya Syria and Afghanistan turned out OK/QUOTE]

I guess it depends if you are a near neighbour. If you are an isolated continent a few thousand miles away, I guess it doesn't make much difference.

[Lonewolf_50]

What's Donald gonna do today? :confused: Probably post something bizarre on Twitter. Not sure if Mr Kim will, or won't, figure in the tweet.

[Asturias56]

Probably post something bizarre on Twitter. Not sure if Mr Kim will, or won't, figure in the tweet.


Bolton is all in favour of starting a war there- reckon we can suppress all the NOK artillery etc - no problem!

he clearly doesn't own real estate in Seoul...... nor is he intending to run for election there I guess......

[tdracer]

And there's no way you'll get China on side - they may not be keen on having Yung Fat Wun as their neighbour but that last thing they want on that border is a democratic unified Korea!

China is not our friend. Say what you will about the Donald, he seems to recognize that.

[OvertHawk]

China is not our friend. Say what you will about the Donald, he seems to recognize that.

Which was rather my point. China is no-one's friend. (although that could be said of most countries - "There is no friendship in statecraft - only mutual interest).

[tdracer]

Which was rather my point. China is no-one's friend. (although that could be said of most countries - "There is no friendship in statecraft - only mutual interest).
Yes, sorry I wasn't more clear - I was basically agreeing with you and my post was really addressed to Islandlad.

[Imagegear]

Keeping North Korea as a close acquaintance is inviting collateral when the stuff hits the fan.

IG

[jolihokistix]

But for Russia and China the prevailing winds could prove to be their best friend.

[West Coast]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-may-be-prepping-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile-test-n1239420

Norks may be testing a SLBM.

[Lyneham Lad]

Article in The Times today.
From smuggled coal to art: How North Korea dodges sanctions to build up nuclear arsenal (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/146a7fb6-0243-11eb-b3a5-69e78a68c6e4?shareToken=706a562561747e74abedf5ab1f600749)

North Korea has successfully miniaturised its nuclear weapons, continues to build ballistic missiles and is using a range of ingenious means to dodge sanctions, from smuggled coal and art to dispatching workers overseas, according to the United Nations.

The new UN report by monitoring experts appointed by the Security Council highlights the ineffectiveness of sanctions aiming to pressure Kim Jong-un (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/north-korean-pupils-spend-90-minutes-a-day-learning-the-greatness-of-kim-jong-un-qdxfkc32t) into giving up his weapons of mass destruction.

It confirms in detail what many foreign experts have already concluded — that North Korea is making crucial advances (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/weapons-what-weapons-secret-factory-stokes-north-korean-nuclear-threat-dtz77lq8l) in missile and nuclear technology. Although sanctions, as well as the country’s self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, have had their economic effect, the regime still finds ways to buy and sell forbidden goods on international markets.

Click the link for the full article.

[Lyneham Lad]

In The Sunday Times.
North Korea’s new missiles: Kim Jong-un unveils weapons in shock night-time parade (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fa71b68a-0b0f-11eb-a8be-d60c3cc523b5?shareToken=e448f06be27d1e6b8d9ac3b5bc239371)

Even by the unpredictable standards of North Korea, it was an unprecedented manoeuvre — catching the world unawares by staging a massive military parade under cover of darkness. Kim Jong-un celebrated the 75th anniversary of the foundation by his grandfather of the ruling Workers’ Party — led by three generations of family dictators — by rolling out a bristling array of previously unseen weaponry. Dominating the floodlit extravaganza were what weapons analysts identified as four huge new liquid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of striking mainland America.

Click the link for full article & photos.

[Green Flash]

There is more here (https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36999/kim-jong-un-just-showed-the-world-the-war-machine-he-built-while-feinting-diplomacy)

[MPN11]

Rather disconcerting, to say the least.

New hardware is one thing, but ever-growing capabilities is another. Add that to the mental processes of Kim and his acolytes, and the ability of South Korea and allies [ally?] to respond to NorK territorial aggression, and it’s even more ‘interesting’. And the Kim Dynasty will be with us for decades to come, with no incentive to change the path it’s on ... The People will obey, regardless.

[Just This Once...]

Quite a nice big new missile NK has there. Looking at the design it does not look like it would have much, if any, additional range over its predecessors. There is quite a bit more structure and weight around the missile bus and the upper crutching point is quite a bit lower than the bus reinforcement. The extra girth also necessitates addition structure and weight over the narrow-body design. Nobody adds a gramme in that area without a very good reason; it just eats away at performance and you burn fuel just to carry more fuel.

My guess... here comes MIRV, with a subtle hint of Chevaline.

[Asturias56]

Nice innovative touch - mass meetings after dark...................... but of course (as in so many things in modern politics ) Herr Goebbels got there first

[West Coast]

Quite a nice big new missile NK has there. Looking at the design it does not look like it would have much, if any, additional range over its predecessors. There is quite a bit more structure and weight around the missile bus and the upper crutching point is quite a bit lower than the bus reinforcement. The extra girth also necessitates addition structure and weight over the narrow-body design. Nobody adds a gramme in that area without a very good reason; it just eats away at performance and you burn fuel just to carry more fuel.

My guess... here comes MIRV, with a subtle hint of Chevaline.

Do you have a background in missile engineering?