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KCNA via Reuters
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and military officers watch a live artillery drill to examine the capabilities of units whose mission is to strike disputed islands on the border with South Korea.
SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a live artillery drill close to a disputed sea border with South Korea, state news agency KCNA reported on Thursday, in the latest sign of increased tensions between the two Koreas.
KCNA did not specify when the drill took place. The border is seen as the most likely site of any clash between the North, which has stepped up military preparations in response to being sanctioned for its February nuclear test, and South Korea.
North Korea has threatened a nuclear strike against the United States in response to new United Nations sanctions and to strike back at South Korea and the United States during military drills that the two allies are holding.
Kim praised the artillery units on two islands after watching them hit targets, in what KCNA described as the "biggest hot spots in the southwestern sector of the front," in practice for striking at two South Korean islands.
KCNA via Reuters
North Korea's artillery sub-units, whose mission is to strike Daeyeonpyeong island and Baengnyeong island of South Korea, conduct a live shell firing drill to examine war fighting capabilities in the western sector of the front line in this picture released by the North's official KCNA news agency in Pyongyang on Thursday.
North Korea's claims to be able to stage a nuclear strike on the United States have been derided by most observers of its missile program, but it shelled a South Korean island in 2010, causing civilian casualties.
Pyongyang has kept up a steady stream of incendiary rhetoric since moves began to sanction it in the United Nations over its third nuclear test. It was also subject to sanctions for the launch of a long-range test rocket in December that critics say is aimed at proving its long-range missile technology.
The new United Nations sanctions aim to stifle funding for the North's nuclear and missile programs and for the ruling Kim dynasty, although much will depend on whether China, the North's main ally, enforces them.
So far, there are few signs beyond Pyongyang's rhetoric that it is preparing for a major conflict.
South Korean workers at the Kaesong joint industrial zone in the North reported seeing North Korean soldiers wearing camouflage webbing earlier this week but said work was proceeding as normal.
Related:
UN passes sanctions despite North Korea threat of 'pre-emptive nuclear attack'
Video: Kim Jong Un directs army to 'annihilate the enemy'
North Korea threat of nuclear attack predictable but worrisome
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
Leave a Comment:
Supervised my ass. He watched. He saw explosions and went "Ohhh, Awwwww, Ohhh." in all the right places. I doubt he could name the round used.
That little idiot is going to get his @ss handed to him one of these days. He just needs to make the right screw up. Those North Koreans are kind of tiresome...
Nah, he watched and said, "Make sure the cameras show both the cannons and the explosions. It makes for good tv." He's trying to openly taunt/threaten anyone whom will listen to him. I like to think of him as an emperor's son, enjoying the fireworks and the ability to push the bright red button to make them go. The only thing holding him in power is that he holds the feedbags so his military isn't able to overthrow him.
I think their time may actually be running out as China is no longer enjoying their antics and working with the security council. Russia, on the other hand, continues to use them to traffic materials and equipment to Iran and other nations so the security council may not get much more to work with.
"North Korea has threatened a nuclear strike against the United States in response to new United Nations sanctions and to strike back at South Korea and the United States during military drills that the two allies are holding."
If any one deserves drone attacks, then this latest N. Korea's tin pot ruler, Kim Jong Un deserves one!
Every country in the world has the right to protect itself and it's borders, if you don't believe that, look at what America is doing between the USA and Mexico. Every year the US and S.K. exercise the same type displays in their war games.
Nothing new to see here, except for the "arm-chair (whom have never been in the Military to fight for America) war mongers."
Once again, as the US is Israel's keeper, China is N.Ks. keeper. China will not allow N.K. to start a world war.
Just what did Dennis Rodman say to these people anyway? Ever since he left, little man Kim has had his panties in a wad.
At least he has the balls to watch .... Our top man uses Drone's then let Ambassadors be executed.
I think Rodman explained how the world laughs 'till they puke at his haircut.
@ya suck, it was the republipukes that cut funding for security at out outposts, moron.
@ya su ma locka
Gee, Obama let an Ambassador be executed? wow, is that better or worse than letting over 3,000K die when the Twin Towers were attacked?
Tell us o LAP DOG, with the hairy mouth that is always slobbering all over.
If Dubya was still in 'power' we would be at war with them right now.....
Just think if we knew the location of where this guy and his cronies were at that precise moment we could have sent him a tomahawk missile to see real up close and personal! What a news story that would make!
If we took out all these top officials in one blow NK would finally be free to elect someone that had half a brain and feed the people instead of the war machine. Open up the borders, families reunited etc etc
If we only knew,
On a side note wouldn't it be a great day for the person manning the predator drone that got to let the missile go! Hero!
@SallyAnn,
Don't get out much? The Ambassador was not "executed", he dies of smoke inhalation when he unwisely left his safe room to try to organize the evacuation of consulate personnel. His death was more of an accident since the local insurgents didn't even know he was in Benghazi. The GOP made a lot of accusations to try and cover up that they had not only refused a request for additional funding for Embassy and Consulate security, but cut them quite a bit lower than the previous year's funding. Eric Cantor if you want a name to blame.
@ eric - Typical Libtard - Twist or spin away from what the subject matter truly is, and blame somone else for their failures. Ya Suk only said the truth about the use of Drones.
The Socialist in Charge would be proud of you.... Proof once again, the people on the West Coast MUST be drinking the Kool-Aid thats spiked with Drano....
@ Sally.... Your stupidity is quite alarming. I don't know whose a threat to this Country. Foriegn enemies or stupid Americans, that eat what MSNBC spoon feeds them....
Our enemies are laughing how easily you and the rest of the Progressive movement are easily fooled... You make their job a whole helluva lot easier....
Kool-Aid - "OH YEAH!" mmmm let me have some.
Send in the "Drones". Take this weasel out. China hacking us and all trying to steal our everything. We seem powerless an Obama ruled world. All he cares about is reducing Republicans to a nub.
If the North Koreans are rational, China can control them. But, the real fear is that their leadership isn't rational and pushes brinkmanship too far. In those circumstance, China will be a powerless bystander as war breaks out next door.
So ... what is your solution? You want to start a trade war that could devastate both economies? A real war?
Can Americans do this at the Mexican border?
William Travis-7825503....."Can Americans do this at the Mexican border?"
Nah, they would be the "victims".
Would be interesting to find out how many "families with children" are crossing the border each day in anticipation of Mr. "Drama" Obama's Amnesty Immigrqation Reform.
That wouldn't happen. The Chinese and the South Koreans don't want a huge destabilization like that because of all of the starving and sick refugees they'd have to deal with fleeing the country.
The right kind of screw up would leave most of the major cities in South Korea devastated. They have too many hardened artillery positions to take out all at once.
This stubby little mouth breather with a @!$%#ed-up bloodline and an even more @!$%#ed-up haircut is gonna get his country blown into the atmosphere to spread around the world and become part of everyone else's countries if he keeps this @!$%# up.
What the Fook!!...I can see a sign that says my mother wore combat boots...Capitalistic dogs! annihilate them!!
i just dont get why they enjoy poking tigers.
He's using the field glasses to watch it on a 1950's model black and white Chinese TV with a 5 inch screen. That's state of the art for these people...... This room full of idiots would have been the perfect target of opportunity for a drone strike. Where's our intel when we need it most? It could have been all over before it starts...
Communism is supposed to be rule of masses!
N. Korean Kim Jong family appears to have turned masses to asses.
So even nut, nuttier and or nuttiest of Kim Jong family can rule them!
This is an example of ideology!
Similar things are going on in the Islam (religion).
Compare N. Korea's case with the rules of House of Saud and some oil rich Sunni rulers of ME
These are examples of reducing masses to asses either through ideology or religion!
He's looking through an old time 3D View-Master.
"He's looking through an old time 3D View-Master."
-Oh look, a hippo.
They are not really a communist state. The hereditary dictatorship employees a form of elitism which is classic far right politics. Much like all Communist countries those in charge get corrupted by far right mentality. Don't believe me look up the definition of Far left and Far right Politics.
Kim, as did Sadam Hussein, has a huge ground force but fails to realize that without air superiority, which N. Korea will never achieve, it can accomplish little and face devastation. Nukes are another problem and sanctions prohibiting the sale of luxury goods and yachts will do nothing. That is just posturing. We must stiffen the sanctions, especially hitting food, and let the N. Korans know that they are starving because father Kim is spending all the Nation's money on the military and Nukes. We should also make it clear that a preemptive strike is not off the table. Kim has threatened one, so, as I see it, the option is open.
He is no smarter than Hussein was. I think if oil was involved he'd already be gone. I'm really not sure why China has put up with him. I suppose they don't want the American military getting too involved in their backyard. I would think the North Korean population is already aware why their living conditions are so miserable but he has them so oppressed that there probably isn't much then can do...
It's a peculiar thing for North Korea to do so much posturing at this time.For a young leader at the head of his nation, he seems to be acting reckless.However, with China's backing, it is more like the small loudly barking puppy, instead of a mature grown dog.Meanwhile, China must rethink how much support it wants to throw back at this tiny neighbor.Which in my estimate is trying to push and shove its way into getting a military reaction from the world's only super power.
I realize war can be profitable in many ways for those who engage in it.Politically, economically by supplying weapons, ethnically, even religiously. But if North Korea's leader believes that picking a fight with us will end up benefiting North Korea,he has a lot to learn.
Because China can't afford to make an enemy of us. At least not yet, over a country like North Korea. Which possesses no resources of such significance, as to make China want to give up its advantages with the U.S. currently.They need us, and we them.
So, watch out little dictator, your ego is going to come back and bite you. In the game of poker if you are going to bluff, you need to be able to have your opponents believe you could have a winning hand. All you have is a loser's hand, and mentality. The only way to win, is by walking away or asking for help.
@WWiE
China puts up with him for two reasons:
10% ideology - there is a shrinking supply of 'Communist' countries, so they can't be too picky.
90% economic - the last thing that they want is millions of starving refuges trying to cross their southern border. Illegal immigrants fro N Korea are already a big problem for them, so they throw a few tons of food their way every once in a while to stave off total collapse.
China is communist?????
I think he's doing it to prop himself up in the eyes of the masses and secure his power. Keeping them in fear of the United States allows these pukes to stay in power. The population has no idea what is really going on--they think he is keeping them safe.
@Gil,
The idea that Kim is a nut and that North Korea is in the same fix as Sadaam is delusional. Yes, Sadaam had a large army and a small air force but that is pretty much where the comparison ends. Sadaam was in a desert country that was well situated for mass tank battles and Sadaam had never hardened his military targets significantly, making his command and control especially vulnerable to air strikes. Sadaam was basing his experience on his previous war with Iran.
North Korea is in a very different situation. Not only does it have the 4th largest standing army in the world, when it calls up ready reserves, it jumps to third largest. His military targets are the most hardened in the world with most in caves and tunnels so deep that they would be resistant to nuclear blasts. He has huge supply depots with incredible amounts of food, water, spares, and ammunition. His command and control is all underground and about 99% on landline. His troops move only when spy satellites are not overhead. So we don't even know where the vast majority of NK military facilities really are. NK also has a huge number of decoy installations and installations that are used in a shell game to house missiles some times and not others.
NK has a huge number of trained commandos and an extreme fleet of "fishing trawlers" ready to drop them at selected spots on the peninsula to join up with agents in place. NK has enough advanced diesel-electric subs to close the Yellow Sea completely to ships, including aircraft carriers, and make the Sea of Japan dicey at best. NK has a huge number of both intermediate range ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles. All of our bases in Japan and South Korea are within range of these missiles.
The terrain in NK is entirely unsuited to tank warfare as is most of South Korea. The only "maneuver area" for tanks is a tiny strip down the center of South Korea. The west is too swampy and the east too mountainous for tanks.
But worst of all is the DMZ area. All of the Seoul-Inchon Corridor is within range of thousands of NK artillery pieces, guided and unguided rockets, and heavy mortars as are all the forward-deployed ROK and US forces (around 20,000 or less American soldiers, mostly in support units.) All these weapons are carefully leveled and triangulated on targets within 30nm or so of the DMZ. And virtually all are in peek-and-shoot tunnels on the back side of mountains and hills. The Seoul-Inchon Corridor contains about 40% of SK's population and its military, financial, and political capitals. It contains about 80% of SK's industry and its major port. But even worse, an attack on that civilian population would overload the roads with millions of refugees headed south. The refugees would deny use of the roads to South Korean troops while acting as a "human shield" for North Korean troops.
Every President since Truman has wrestled with the "Korean Problem" and not a one has come up with any response to North Korean provocations that have gone on since 1953. To show you how little things have changed: Years ago the NK air force shot down an unarmed American EC-121, killing all 31 Americans, including some friends of mine, 90nm out in the Sea of Japan. We were unable to find any political or military response that would not start WWIII. Recently a NK submarine sunk a state-of-the-art South Korean anti-submarine warfare corvette killing 46 seamen. Again we were unable to find any response.
This is the sort of thing that keeps military planners awake at night. How do we aid South Korea if we lose our bases in Japan? How do we use air power when we don't even know where the targets are except for unarmed civilians? How do we use air power when the enemy doctrine is to fight very close to the enemy? What happens if we have no working ports or airfields in South Korea? And on and on.
The only good news is that China would be highly unlikely to aid North Korea in any way, especially with military goods. In the Korean War, they aided NK only when MacArthur sallied across the Yalu and made numerous public statements about nuking China. Currently China gives NK NO military aid and only a trickle of food and fuel oil aid. Trade is very small, mostly because NK can only trade raw materials since its manufactured goods, aside from military items, are very shoddy. Also, if China were to aid NK, we would instantly abrogate all debt to China and confiscate all Chinese holdings in the US.
Chris provides an excellent summary of the situation. While there's no doubt that the US and South Koreans would prevail in the long-term (even medium-term), in the short-term North Korea would inflict severe damage on South Korea. As one of the world's largest economies, a disruption in that country would reverberate throughout the world.
We know from history that appeasement is no solution. Perhaps war is inevitable. But, let's not kid ourselves that it will be some surgical operation accompanied by some "shock and awe."
Appreciate the summary and background on thr Korean situation. Reading today's media reports doesn't provide that kind of context. It's easy to buy into underestimating this threat. You've both provided helpful info.
nice of them to fire all those arty pieces makes it easier to do a counter battery on them now that the are easy to find .
He is looking for war. He's young and feels he can live his legacy early. I also noticed an ash tray on the table that he was sitting at. Hasn't anyone told him that smoking will kill you.
I don't know about the rest of you, but psychotic midgets with tall hats and nuclear weapons scare the living hell out of me...
I'm glad he isn't dressed in a clown outfit too :-)
Hey, I heard that!
Besides, if all he's trying to do is make the world laugh, then he is a resounding success.
Well, if a deer in headlights ever looked through field glasses, the above picture caught it. I would say that after looking at the photo, fearless leader smokes (ashtray & matches in front of him). If he keeps pumping the bull, his whole country could be reduced to ashes!
He reminds me of little boys playing with their little green plastic soldier men. You set 'em up, shoot, knock 'em down, then start all over again. I don't think he realizes that, in real life, the soldiers don't get up again, and you, yourself, can become a target. He keeps this crap up and he'll realize it eventually.
For every action there is an equal reaction, so says the laws of physics. Humans are differentwhen it comes to this. We better make sure our backsides are covered. We don't need another Korean War at a time when we have such a poor leader in the White House.
Allowing N. Korea to exist is a pox on humanity. It would be more humane to kill the peeps in those concentration camps than to let them suffer indefinitely. Glowing for a micro-second is far better than starving to death. The ruling party in this country needs to cease to exist. Whether we do it or China is irrelevant. I hope Kim does attack mainland S. Korea. And, then the only references to N. Korea will be in the history books.
I would like to believe that China will "smack its little brother" on the head to get his attention. Then explain to him that it is not in his best interest to provoke a fight he cannot win. Than he cannot fire the first shot and then reply on his "big brother" to defend him when he gets in over his head. Has North Korea forgotten about Desert Storm/Iraqi Freedom/Afghanistan? The US has a lot of combat experience in the last 40-50 years. Also, China has financial interests in South Korea as well. As a last resort, China should make it clear that if North Korea wishes to fight the US & South Korea, it will fight alone. And any attempt to use its "nuclear arsenal" would be tantamount to suicide.
I'm not necessarily in agreement with the rest of your statement, but if more people (Americans) paid attention to the part above, they would understand who's really in control in that part of the world.
As a retired Army Infantryman myself, I'm not sure who would win a nuclear battle between the US and China. China has been a closed society for so long, even with today's technology, I'm not sure if the US has a full grasp of China's nuclear capabilities. So you just can't say unilaterally that N.K. cannot win, as China will not sit by idly and allow the US to take over N.K.
As I mentioned above, I'm sure the "arm-chair warriors," who are only "book-learned," not "battlefield tested/learned," will not understand the complexities I've outlined above. Their only cry is usually, "LET'S NUKE EM!"
With billions invested in China, yes, The United States will wait for China to make a decision, can't bite the hand that feeds you. Another one of those conflicts America should have walked away from years ago. As long as cities, states, countries are divided East, West, North, South, there will always be a problem.
The US and South Korea should now use the same little island the north was shelling and pop a 5 kiloton nuke in their line of vision just to show them we are not backing down, and that their artillery will just be vaporized if they decide to do anything stupid while the US is right there watching them.
Agree with Tarvalon. MI experts estimate that since Kim Il Sung took over in '48, upwards of 8 million North Koreans have died directly from government policies and actions. Thousands of death camps, starvation from @!$%#e agriculture policies, deliberate non-action during disease epidemics ("thin the herd" mentality). Total control of food supply = thought control, stops rebellions. And the populace are all brainwashed "Stockholm Syndrome" victims (psychologically bonded to their torturers). Did we not fight WW II to stop dictator Holocausts from ever happening again?
My son lives in S. Korea and is married to a Korean woman. She has always said they are like children in N. Korea and never worried about it but this time she is a little on edge. They went as far as withdrawing money to have handy just in case. I pray for the best!!!
Not a bad move. I live in S. Korea, and all the extra rhetoric, this time around, has me a little edgy. The problem, if one person sneezes, or someone presses the wrong button, some bad stuff is going to happen. And it will happen to millions of people. This will not be an Afghanistan or Iraq.....10 years, and less than 10,000 killed. There is a real possibility of millions dying in the first several days, if the North decides to use their stock of poison gas. Their nuke capability: not yet a worry. Their poison gas capability: they can hit anyplace in S. Korea with it. I hope we see something developing, and make a first strike.
My inbreeding can cause stupid @!$%#! Problem you don't know if they will move on it. Don't think China can controll them.
What???
What a little punk-a**, immature, kid. Let just hope his older and 'wiser' military advisers can talk some sense into this little brat before its too late and he brings the world to war again. Someone better tell him that this is not a freaking video game!
North Korea has already committed far more damaging and disturbing attacks on the United States than any conceivable nuclear strike could produce.
He sent his good friend Dennis Rodman back.
I heard he got pissed because he couldn't have a sparkler to play with during the show.
He does have "Moxie": chops, expertise, know-how, experience, proficiency, savvy, skills
I don't know what planet your from yank, but this little young twirp has zero experience in anything other than maybe beating his own meat. I for one am hoping he really does something stupid warranting a massive bombing attack from the U.S. all over those frickin communist SOB's. Damn I hate reading the moronic posts that SH$% for brains like yourself puts on these sites.
Wait and watch dear Steve.
signed
Sh*t for brains
PS my father fought there and I fought in Vietnam Let the Asians take care of themselves. There is the one problem with nuclear weapons building but China is allowing it and what can you do? Attack that aggressively and China will enter the fray. Next thing you know we will be paying 3 times more for stuff. A land war won't work.
Gotta love the comedy the YELLOW ELEPHANTS are posting about this. Pass the popcorn.
The threat to me appears to be self-inflicted genocide.
kill the fat little fooker!!!!!! now! ILL PAY FOR THE BOMB!
All talk, this whiny little tyrant would be right at home in the chicken hawk wing of the Republican Party............ What am I thinking damn near the whole Republican Party IS the chicken hawk wing of the Irrelevant Republican Party. ROFLMAO!
This Little Fat guy needs to contact John "What's his name" about getting one of those $600 hair cuts aboard his private jet.