What Happened: North Korea has allegedly test launched several short-range missiles from the country’s east coast in Wonsan toward the Sea of Japan, Yonhap reported May 4. Both U.S. and South Korean officials are currently analyzing the missiles, which remain unidentified but traveled 70-200 kilometers (about 43 miles to 124 miles).
Why It Matters: If confirmed, this would be the first North Korean missile launch test since November 2017. However, it would not technically violate North Korea’s de facto testing moratorium, which applies to only intercontinental and medium-range missiles. While such short-range missiles would less concerning to the United States than that of longer-range missiles, the test nonetheless risks upsetting the already-faltering outreach between Washington and Pyongyang.
Background: The U.S.-North Korea diplomatic path toward denuclearization has been somewhat in question following the unexpected February breakdown of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un in late February. However, Kim has appeared to affirm his commitment to outreach since then, saying his country would remain on the diplomatic track until the end of the year.
If we would improve relations with Russia, then North Korea might be more interested in working out a deal with the US. They share a border with Russia and the Russians have been doing more outreach to the North Koreans.
I also don’t think short range missile testing should upset anything. North Korea is still a sovereign country and is entitled to defend itself.
South Korea: Seoul Calls on Pyongyang to Stop Raising Military Tension After Weapons Test
What Happened: South Korea’s presidential office expressed concern about a North Korean weapons test on May 4 over the Sea of Japan, noting that it believes the test to be a violation of the inter-Korean military agreement, Reuters reported. The South Korean statement urged Pyongyang to return to denuclearization talks. Shortly after announcing the test, South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff changed its terminology from “missiles” to “projectiles,” fueling speculation that these may have been rocket artillery.
Why It Matters: If North Korea’s surprise weapons test turns out to have been rocket fire as opposed to a missile test, it would be of less concern to the United States than to South Korea. These conventional systems pose a threat to population centers in South Korea. In September, the two countries signed an agreement to curb inter-Korean military threats.
Background: On May 4, South Korea’s military reported that North Korea had fired multiple “projectiles” from Wonsan. U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks have been in question since the breakdown of the Hanoi summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in February. On May 3, North Korean propaganda outlets condemned a U.S.-South Korea test of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea’s Gyeonggi province that had been announced April 24.
Maybe one of our subs should just pull up & unload. ------------------------------ SSBNs (ballistic missile submarines) can carry up to 24 missiles , which can be configured with up to 8 NUCLEAR WARHEADS “EACH”. Definitely sobering to know, just one of our subs, carries more firepower than all firepower used by every nation in all the wars in recorded history. Shazam !!! NK could be turned into little more than a black spot on the map in less than one hour.
The point I am trying to make is, as benevolent & restraining as our country is, even we have limits as to how far we can be pushed. Always possible NK can overstep it’s bounds. There is always the point where a line must be drawn & held; & if “action is justified”, few nations would stand in judgment, if the US had a valid reason to take steps with extreme prejudice. What would you consider a limit as to how far that myopic fat little toadie can press his luck? Say, 100 Americans killed, or 500 Americans killed, a strike on one of our naval vessels??? Gotta be some point where we pull out the stops. I hope it never comes down to it; but best to always expect & always prepare for the unexpected. That being said, I have no doubt every NK military facility, etc., is and has already been targeted.