North Korea launches ballistic missile into Japanese waters
Thread Starter
North Korea launches ballistic missile into Japanese waters
In the Guardian:-
As if the region was not already 'interesting' enough...
North Korea has launched a ballistic missile that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country in defiance of United Nations security council resolutions.
The main body of the missile landed in Japan’s economic exclusion zone, a Japanese defence official said, escalating regional tensions that were already high after a series of missile launches this year and the decision by the United States to place a sophisticated anti-missile system in South Korea.
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, described the launch as a grave threat to Japan and said Tokyo strongly protested. Japan also said its self-defence force would remain on alert in case of further launches.
The main body of the missile landed in Japan’s economic exclusion zone, a Japanese defence official said, escalating regional tensions that were already high after a series of missile launches this year and the decision by the United States to place a sophisticated anti-missile system in South Korea.
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, described the launch as a grave threat to Japan and said Tokyo strongly protested. Japan also said its self-defence force would remain on alert in case of further launches.
Ok, so they hit the ocean.
What were they aiming at?
What were they aiming at?
Thread Starter
North Korea sub fires ballistic missile
Seems someone north of the border is not amused by the latest SKorea/USA exercises...
North Korea submarine fires ballistic missile
North Korea submarine fires ballistic missile
North Korea has fired a ballistic missile from a submarine off its east coast, say the US and South Korea.
The KN-11 missile was launched from waters near Sinpo and flew about 500km (300 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan, a US official said.
Japan's PM said it fell inside Japan's Air Defence Identification Zone, calling it a "reckless act".
It comes as South Korea and the US begin annual military drills, which routinely anger Pyongyang.
The KN-11 missile was launched from waters near Sinpo and flew about 500km (300 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan, a US official said.
Japan's PM said it fell inside Japan's Air Defence Identification Zone, calling it a "reckless act".
It comes as South Korea and the US begin annual military drills, which routinely anger Pyongyang.
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 1,958
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not disputing that this test was reckless, verging on bonkers but as far as being "inside Japan's ADIZ", is this really an issue? The missile landed in international waters. By our own rules, if NK had aircraft capable of doing so they would be fully entitled to exercise rights of navigation there, just as US and other aircraft have made a point of doing inside China's ADIZ. We can't have it both ways.
I'm not disputing that this test was reckless, verging on bonkers but as far as being "inside Japan's ADIZ", is this really an issue? The missile landed in international waters. By our own rules, if NK had aircraft capable of doing so they would be fully entitled to exercise rights of navigation there, just as US and other aircraft have made a point of doing inside China's ADIZ. We can't have it both ways.
If someone sent a missile that close to the US, Russia or China I doubt they'd be impressed much, "international" waters or not.
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 1,958
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Impressed or not, a US Navy EP3 collided with a Chinese fighter just 70 miles off their coast. At the risk of labouring the point, I'm not defending this launch but if the issue is the ADIZ violation, we surely need to choose. Is it reasonable to insist Japan's ADIZ be sacrosanct, then fly a (nuclear capable) B52 through China's?
