North Korea joins in on the 4th of July fun

[WandyWiolentFan]

A coincidence that they fired 4 missiles.

SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- North Korea fired four short-range missiles toward the Sea of Japan, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

The missiles were apparently Scud-type missiles, estimated to have a range of about 500 kilometers (310 miles), said South Korea's Yonhap news agency. South Korean intelligence estimates that North Korea has about 700 such missiles in its arsenal.

Pyongyang test-fired four such missiles off the east coast on Thursday, Yonhap reported.

North Korea had issued a warning to mariners to avoid an area in the Sea of Japan at certain times between June 24 and July 9 because of a "military firing exercise," according to a U.S. military communication about the warning provided to CNN.

The recent firings come amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. North Korea conducted a nuclear test in May, fired test rockets and threatened U.S. and South Korean ships near its territorial waters.

The first two missiles were fired about 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., Yonhap reported. Another missile was launched about 10:45 a.m., the agency reported. A fourth one came some time after that.

The U.S. Navy and other U.S. officials said they are ready to track any missiles.

"The United States is aware of possible missile launches by North Korea. We are closely monitoring North Korea's activities and intentions," a U.S. official said.

"This type of North Korea behavior is not helpful. What North Korea needs to do is fulfill its international obligations and commitments."

Earlier this week analyst Daniel Pinkston said the reported test might be training for a future test but it could also just be a routine military exercise.

"It is worrisome to some degree, but it is different from a ballistic missile launch," said Pinkston, of the International Crisis Group in Seoul, South Korea.

"It's part of military training, but there seem to be no movements of troops or anything that would suggest preparations for military operations.
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"So yes, people are watching it, the military is watching it here, but I don't think it's related to any plans or operations to attack anyone."

Russia had a low-key reaction to the tests tjos weel. Russian military experts are carefully studying the reports but the launches will not change the political situation, a spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry said.

[keepUrEyesOpen**]

they have a missile in development that has a range of 5000 miles.
The Associated Press: A look at North Korea's missile arsenal

TAEPODONG: This group of rockets is the pinnacle of North Korea's missile technology. Pyongyang claims they are space launch vehicles (SLVs) to launch satellites as part of a peaceful space program. Satellite and missile technologies are interchangeable.

_ ADVANCED TAEPODONG-2: Under development. Potential range: about 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers), putting the U.S. west coast, Hawaii, Australia and eastern Europe within striking distance.

_ TAEPODONG-2: Three-stage rocket with potential range of more than 4,100 miles (6,700 kilometers), putting Alaska within striking distance. First two stages are liquid-fueled, while the third is believed to be solid-fueled. Iranian engineers are thought to have observed a 2006 launch that fizzled soon after liftoff. Cooperation with Iran has been extensive; Iran's Safir-Omid space launch vehicle owes much to the Taepodong.

_ TAEPODONG-1: Estimated range of 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers), twice as far as earlier Rodong missile, according to South Korea. North is believed to have test-launched the missile in August 1998. Launch shocked the world because it was well beyond North Korea's known capability at the time. Both lower stages are liquid-fueled, with a potential solid-fuel third stage. Payload is thought to be about 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms). Accuracy is believed poor, with no meaningful strike capability.

___

NEW MISSILE: North Korea has fielded a new intermediate range ballistic missile, according to South Korea's Defense Ministry. With a range of 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometers), it would almost reach Guam. Much of China and parts of Russia and the Philippines are also within striking range. North Korea reportedly used Russian SS-N-6 submarine-launched ballistic missile technology for the mobile, land-based missile. It reportedly is liquid-fueled with one or two stages. Some reports say North Korea put the new missile on display during a 2007 military parade. Accuracy is unknown.

___

RODONG: Japan is the likely target of this short-range missile. Rodong is almost identical to Iran's Shahab-3 and Pakistan's Ghauri II (Hatf V), the strongest evidence of the countries' collaboration and of North Korean sale of technology and missile equipment to others. All three countries continue to refine the design. Estimated range of 620 to 930 miles (1,000 to 1,500 kilometers) and maximum payload of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms). They are single-stage, liquid-fuel missiles on mobile launchers. Most have fairly poor accuracy, though some may have been fitted with warhead separation and more modern guidance systems.

___

SCUD: Single stage, liquid-fueled missile with a range of up to 500 miles (800 kilometers). Known in North Korea by the name Hwasong, the SCUD B and SCUD C can reach only South Korea, but the SCUD D could target Japan. Accuracy is extremely poor. Ballistic missile programs in Pakistan and Iran were built on SCUD technology.

[Flexwave2003]

Are we going to find a resolution to the NK problem anytime soon?

[computer fogie]

Originally Posted by keepUrEyesOpen

they have a missile in development that has a range of 5000 miles.
The Associated Press: A look at North Korea's missile arsenal

TAEPODONG: This group of rockets is the pinnacle of North Korea's missile technology. Pyongyang claims they are space launch vehicles (SLVs) to launch satellites as part of a peaceful space program. Satellite and missile technologies are interchangeable.

_ ADVANCED TAEPODONG-2: Under development. Potential range: about 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers), putting the U.S. west coast, Hawaii, Australia and eastern Europe within striking distance.

_ TAEPODONG-2: Three-stage rocket with potential range of more than 4,100 miles (6,700 kilometers), putting Alaska within striking distance. First two stages are liquid-fueled, while the third is believed to be solid-fueled. Iranian engineers are thought to have observed a 2006 launch that fizzled soon after liftoff. Cooperation with Iran has been extensive; Iran's Safir-Omid space launch vehicle owes much to the Taepodong.

_ TAEPODONG-1: Estimated range of 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers), twice as far as earlier Rodong missile, according to South Korea. North is believed to have test-launched the missile in August 1998. Launch shocked the world because it was well beyond North Korea's known capability at the time. Both lower stages are liquid-fueled, with a potential solid-fuel third stage. Payload is thought to be about 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms). Accuracy is believed poor, with no meaningful strike capability.

___

NEW MISSILE: North Korea has fielded a new intermediate range ballistic missile, according to South Korea's Defense Ministry. With a range of 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometers), it would almost reach Guam. Much of China and parts of Russia and the Philippines are also within striking range. North Korea reportedly used Russian SS-N-6 submarine-launched ballistic missile technology for the mobile, land-based missile. It reportedly is liquid-fueled with one or two stages. Some reports say North Korea put the new missile on display during a 2007 military parade. Accuracy is unknown.

___

RODONG: Japan is the likely target of this short-range missile. Rodong is almost identical to Iran's Shahab-3 and Pakistan's Ghauri II (Hatf V), the strongest evidence of the countries' collaboration and of North Korean sale of technology and missile equipment to others. All three countries continue to refine the design. Estimated range of 620 to 930 miles (1,000 to 1,500 kilometers) and maximum payload of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms). They are single-stage, liquid-fuel missiles on mobile launchers. Most have fairly poor accuracy, though some may have been fitted with warhead separation and more modern guidance systems.

___

SCUD: Single stage, liquid-fueled missile with a range of up to 500 miles (800 kilometers). Known in North Korea by the name Hwasong, the SCUD B and SCUD C can reach only South Korea, but the SCUD D could target Japan. Accuracy is extremely poor. Ballistic missile programs in Pakistan and Iran were built on SCUD technology.

If you compare these kinds of stories that say what "X" has in the way of weapons and weapon development, how accurate have they been? It seems, after we find out the truth, that they're always wildly optimistic, doesn't it? Especially if you look at who is doing the accusing (US government and friendly foreign governments & media) and who is being accused (another member of the "Axis of Evil", stated enemies of the US government).

Haven't we already heard the same things said about Iraq? We're told that NK has nuclear weapons and long-range missiles and wants to destroy the US with them. We believe it because we think the sources are totally trustworthy. Or maybe we don't think we need solid facts because we can figure it out the truth without them. We think we have common sense, and that we know enough. We know we have the firepower to destroy anyone, and we're eager to use it (again). Just give us a reason, right?

[themmaGoon]

Originally Posted by Flexwave2003

Are we going to find a resolution to the NK problem anytime soon?

Probably not. Now that Palin is gone their is no telling what Russia is planning either

[pittelp]

The way their economy is that was an expensive and scary tactic.

[stfuno0b!]

Originally Posted by computer fogie

Especially if you look at who is doing the accusing (US government and friendly foreign governments & media) and who is being accused (another member of the "Axis of Evil", stated enemies of the US government).

YouTube - Raw Video: North Korea Celebrates Nuclear Test

Not random "stories".

Originally Posted by computer fogie

Haven't we already heard the same things said about Iraq?

Who supports invading N. Korea? Not anyone I have heard comment via web, newspaper, radio or television. We should have taken action against Iraq. There is not question. However, invading was COMPLETELY the wrong action.

That being said....its not logical to downplay N.Korea based on "Iraq" as your attempting to do. I don't believe it is fair to insinuated that America wants to invade N. Korea with nothing backing up your statement.

[Dolomite]

Oh man. If they only had oil.

[davis_s]

Originally Posted by keepUrEyesOpen

TAEPODONG-2: Under development. Potential range: about 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers), putting the U.S. west coast, Hawaii, Australia and eastern Europe within striking distance.

Love how they specify eastern europe like Russia would let them send a ballistic missile into their airspace without swift retribution. Georgia x 10 000 anyone?

Russia had a low-key reaction to the tests tjos weel. Russian military experts are carefully studying the reports but the launches will not change the political situation, a spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry said.

Of course not see above. I think NK knows the the US is overstretched now so they are using nukes as a bargaining chip but they know if it came down to it and they fired they would be a wasteland before it ever left the peninsula simplying because Russia and China do NOT want another nuclear power in their backyard. Even Kim Jong *** is smarter than pulling this shit where he is positioned.

[MmafanJon]

If N.K. were going to attack the U.S, they would not advertise it. They would just do it. This is all for attention and show. It's like the kid throwing a tantrum in the store, he wants something. I think Kim Jong wants us to offer a bribe for him to stop what he's doing. How nice would it be if there was no North Korea, and South Korea ran the show.