I did not know this was a repeat of history - North Korea's provocation

C&K*s Mommie wrote: I am glad that I am better able to understand and learn the facts now.
I did not know until tonight, that North Korea and the US had a unilateral missle moratorium back in '98/'99. Maybe in my 20~21 y/o mind it was not affecting me day to day so I overlooked international news back then without much regard. I thought the missle testing N. Korea did the other day, was something unprecedented for them.
I am able to learn more and more with each day, as facts are brought back to life, and this is sinking in better in my head. Thanks to the internet I can catch up on history, little by little.

redchief replied: Could be... I remember it well. There was a build-up of tensions and military strength on both sides of the North-South line. I had a friend stationed there who recalled being very afraid.

It's difficult to see Jung-Il gaining sanity or leaving office. I only hope the Chinese can convince him that his current path is very dangerous and globally unsettling.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I agree Kim Jung-Il is too far in, and will not likely leave voluntarily.

China and Russia, at this point are the North's biggest allies, fighting more for diplomacy with North Korea, & not wanting to stir the pot anymore than necessary. I heard that term diplomacy (referring to NK) tossed about by the US fighting for diplomacy over sanctions in the last few days, but from what I gather now the the talk is of UN sanctions againt the North moreso than diplomatic talking.

These two statements do not sit well with me.

North Korea has repeatedly said that Security Council sanctions would amount to a "declaration of war."

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North Korea claims it has atomic bombs, and some experts now believe that North Korea may have separated enough plutonium to develop an arsenal of four to 13 nuclear weapons. Still, experts also believe that North Korea does not have the capability to create a nuclear warhead small enough to put on a missile.

It could be a puffing up of the chest, by North Korea to state that they have more than they may actually have. But I do not wish to find out that the experts were wrong, in thinking that they do not have the capabilities of create nuclear warheads wiping out entire continents of their nearest neighbors.

Nina J replied: I don't really understand the whole thing, obviously I understand that they tested their missiles that have the potential to reach several countries, and everyone is worried about it, as is normal. But, why are they testing them? Just to see if they work, or are they actually planning to use them? Would anyone explain it all to me in layman's terms?

I've heard, but I'm not sure if I'm correct, that the US is the only country to ever have used a nuclear weapon against another country (Japan). Is this true, or am I mistaken?

Nuclear weapons scare me so much, the potential havoc and destruction they could cause is frightening. You could just be standing there, and the next second be nothing at all. I always remember Albert Einstein, I think, said the 4th world war will be fought with sticks and stones, because we'll ruin everything with nuclear weapons during the 3rd.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Nina,
excuse my naivety since I am still learning bits and pieces here and there with what I read. But this is my understanding, and I am sure they are others who know more than me, and maybe can better explain this.


North Korea wants to strengthen their self defense by testing missles. Much like the US has its own security defenses, that are unknown to the common man, they have this but it is known. This is what they are claiming, at least. On another hand North Korea is claiming to be using missiles to launch satellites into orbit, which the last time was in 1998. The two may be connected, wanting a sense of security & launching satellites into orbit. Some American officials say that the technology used to launch satellites into orbit is easily transferrable to use as an intercontinental missle.

Here is a statement from the North:
"The successful missile launches were part of our military's regular military drills to strengthen self defense," said the statement. "As a sovereign country, this is our legal right and we are not bound by any international law or bilateral or multilateral agreements."

The North (Korea) had a temporary delay in developing long range ballistic missiles. They are now claiming that they are not bound by that agreement from back in 1999. Long term talks between The North & the US to ban such missile prduction & export were to occur, yet the talks had ceased in 2000. By not having further talks, my understanding is that NK, decided that the moratorium had ended. However, in 2002 Japan and North Korea made an agreement to extend the moratorium beyond '03. So in 1999, North Korea agreed to halt production of its missile defense system, and then again in 2002.

North Korea, again from my understanding, views Japan and the US as superpowers. They are building and stocking up against, this inferiority by developing a secure self defense. They have long range missiles called the Taepodong 2 which some believe can be launched and from North Korea could hit the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, maybe even the northern most tip of the US around Seattle. If they have the knowledge to place significant amounts of plutonium onto the warhead missiles, then..... well that would be devastating news.

Russia wants to go the diplomatic route, through six party talks, bringing them (The North) back to the table, as does China. From my Russia has an interest in maintaining friendly ties with NK, since it is suspected that the old Soviet Union gave away technology to North Korea. But my confusion comes into play, with China. I do not understand why China wishes to maintain "friendly neighbor" roles with North Korea.
Can anyone answer that too for me?

Nina, I hope I did not leave anything out. Or confuse you more than need be.

holley79 replied: I know every time I see something new on the news I always .

redchief replied:
There has been long-standing Chinese influence over the North Korean people for centuries in almost all of the important political areas, religious, social, economic and geographical.

Stanford U. recently wrote a political analysis of these relationships and how they relate to nuclear proliferation. It can be found here:

http://www.stanford.edu/group/sjir/6.1.02_koo.html

I found the reading a bit dry, but very clearly written so as to understand the relationship between the two countries.

ZandersMama replied: The whole situitoin terrifies me. I fear what kind of place the world will be when our children are our ages.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Nina, this may explain better why missile testing is troublesome to other countries. And why this may not be so innocent as the mere self defense measures the North is claiming:

[QUOTE]North Korea has a history of weapons trading. In 2003, it appeared to be on the verge of possessing enough weapons-grade plutonium to make six nuclear bombs. A nuclear weapon armed North Korea means weapons are likely to be on the open market, possibly accessible to terrorist organizations and other ‘rogue’ states.[QUOTE]

Missiles with nuclear weapon heads. A possible reality.

C&K*s Mommie replied:

That explains alot.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I agree with the both of you Holley & ZandersMama. But I trust that it will be handled appropiately.

Nina J replied: Thanks Nicole, I understood everything. I hope DH mentions this, he always brings up current affairs and I usually don't understand them, now I actually know what it's all about.

Maybe China is looking for an allie? If NK does have so much powerful nuclear weapons, they'd be a good country to have on your side should a war come about.

I saw a speech Bush gave, basically saying they were going to try to handle it in a diplomatic way. I think all countries involved will try to sort the whole thing out calmly, without making an enemy, since NK has the potential to be extremly powerful.

redchief replied:
Make no mistake; there is no love lost between the US and North Korea. We made that enemy back in the 1950's and the animosity remains today. Our decision to continue with diplomatic talks is politics and the hope that Russia can talk some sense into the nutbag that calls himself emperor (Jung-Il).

I don't think diplomacy is going to work. JMO, and a scary opinion at that.

C&K*s Mommie replied:
I, too, do not think diplomacy will work in the long run. I think the "talks" will work long enough for NK to stall, and buy more time to develop further what they have been doing for the last decade or so. I believe soon patience will run out and something will happen, waiting on NK, and something wil happen. Something bigger than imaginable.