North Korea Defence Forum

[TaiShang]

DPRK vows to react to mode of war desired by US
Xinhua, April 11, 2017

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said late Monday that the U.S. preparations for invading the DPRK have reached "a serious phase of its scenario" with the sending of a nuclear carrier task group in waters off the Korean Peninsula by Pentagon.

A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quoted by the Korean Central News Agency as saying that the U.S. dispatching of Carl Vinson nuclear carrier task group to waters off the peninsula "all of a sudden" has proved that Washington's "reckless moves of invading the DPRK have reached a serious phase of its scenario."

"If the United States dares opt for a military action, crying out for 'preemptive attack' and 'removal of the headquarters,' the DPRK is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the United States," said the spokesman.

He stressed that "the prevailing grave situation proves once again that the DPRK was entirely justified for increasing in every way its military capabilities for self-defense with preemptive attack with a nuclear force as a pivot."

"The Trump administration is foolish enough to deploy strategic striking forces one after another in South Korea, trumpeting about 'peace by force of arms,' but the DPRK remains unfazed."

"We never beg for peace but we will take the toughest counteraction against the provocateurs in order to defend ourselves by powerful force of arms and keep to the road chosen by ourselves," said the spokesman.

 

[Zhukov]

I am afraid that most of South Korean and Japanese wish US disarm North Korean primitive nuke force right now before it become more practical and unstoppable in the future.

so it is simple as that disarming a 1.2m armed to teeth nuclear defence force?
Or are all of you under the impression that If NK arsenal is old and outdated it would not work at all?
Trust me if US planned any such misadventure Kim will not be obliterated untill US influence from East asia in wiped nuked asay and dont remain under the impression that the Irrepairable damage that uS defence infrastructure will take from such NK war will ever be filled again any time soon when China And Russia are right there in that region.
And Skoreans and Japenese Citizen will be the one to suffer the most.

 

[Stuttgart001]

DPRK vows to react to mode of war desired by US
Xinhua, April 11, 2017

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said late Monday that the U.S. preparations for invading the DPRK have reached "a serious phase of its scenario" with the sending of a nuclear carrier task group in waters off the Korean Peninsula by Pentagon.

A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quoted by the Korean Central News Agency as saying that the U.S. dispatching of Carl Vinson nuclear carrier task group to waters off the peninsula "all of a sudden" has proved that Washington's "reckless moves of invading the DPRK have reached a serious phase of its scenario."

"If the United States dares opt for a military action, crying out for 'preemptive attack' and 'removal of the headquarters,' the DPRK is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the United States," said the spokesman.

He stressed that "the prevailing grave situation proves once again that the DPRK was entirely justified for increasing in every way its military capabilities for self-defense with preemptive attack with a nuclear force as a pivot."

"The Trump administration is foolish enough to deploy strategic striking forces one after another in South Korea, trumpeting about 'peace by force of arms,' but the DPRK remains unfazed."

"We never beg for peace but we will take the toughest counteraction against the provocateurs in order to defend ourselves by powerful force of arms and keep to the road chosen by ourselves," said the spokesman.

Old school trick.
It has happened so many time since the last 20 years.
It is not the first time US carrier group cruise near korea and president of US threat to bomb DPRK. Clinton , W. Bush both did that.

At First,Kim Jong-ll talked tough and threatened to wipe off South Korea in public , meanwhile unconsciously sent some signals which could be accepted as a goodwill. Then China mediated with a result of US withdraw the carrier and DPRK promised to stop the nuclear program.
A few years later, as soon as US put his eyes on other state, the seal of nuclear facility of DPRK would be tore ,immediately experts and engineer sneaked into the plant and continued to develop their savor's dreaming firework.
A last , the test of firework is so loud that scare SOK and Japan and annoy US bully.
Then there comes the carrier.
Another round of show.

So boring.

 

[Keel]

Good picture.
It's not so easy to start WW3. What Trump stared at is the cash flow. WW3 will burn the cash. Attack Syria - oil down and gold USD up.

Thanks

Yes starting ww3 is more complicated than easy decisions but if the crazy fatty fires another series of missiles during the coming anniversary of the founding father's birthday, Trump will strike back in reply.
So the situation is extremely precarious.

 

[terranMarine]

Despite sending a naval force to the Korean peninsula, the Trump administration is focusing its North Korea strategy on tougher economic sanctions, possibly including an oil embargo, banning its airline, intercepting cargo ships and punishing Chinese banks doing business with Pyongyang, U.S. officials say.

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a preliminary broad approach on North Korea and asked his national security team to craft a more detailed framework for new international sanctions and other actions to counter Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, one official said.

"There's a whole host of things that are possible, all the way up to what's essentially a trade quarantine on North Korea," the official told Reuters on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The U.S. officials said the administration is considering an array of stiffer sanctions that could be applied on a "sliding scale" proportionate to North Korean actions. Some steps could be applied unilaterally, and others through the United Nations, where China has a Security Council veto.

The U.S. show of force, sending what Trump called an "armada" of military vessels toward the region, and North Korea's angry response, has raised fears of a military confrontation.

Though U.S. officials insist that military options remain on the table, pre-emptive strikes on North Korea remain a last resort, and they stressed that - for now, at least - the Trump administration is stressing economic and diplomatic measures.

U.N. economic options include an embargo on oil supplies to North Korea; a global ban on Air Koryo, its national airline; and interdiction of North Korean freighters on the high seas, a step that would go beyond an existing requirement for nations to inspect ships transiting their territory, the officials said this week.

The United Nations also could prohibit the use of North Korean contracted labor abroad and expand the restrictions on North Korean coal exports to a total ban, the officials said.

Another step could be a ban on North Korean seafood exports, Pyongyang's fourth-largest export to China, its main trading partner, and expanded efforts to seize assets of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his family.

U.S. administration officials said final decisions on specific sanctions targets have yet to made, but they privately expressed doubts about how much further Beijing is willing to go to bring its defiant ally to heel - in spite of increasing Chinese concerns that North Korea might soon conduct a sixth nuclear test or new missile launches.

A phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday was intended to reinforce U.S. pressure on Beijing to curb Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, a U.S. official said.

On Wednesday, Trump, who met Xi at a first summit in Florida last week, praised China for sending coal ships back to North Korea under existing U.N. sanctions. Trump said he thought Xi wanted to help, but added: "We'll see whether or not he does."

Multiple Sanctions Targets

While Trump emphasized the warmth of his interactions with Xi, he warned the Chinese leader last week that new sanctions could include penalties against Chinese banks and companies doing business with North Korea if Beijing did not step up pressure, one U.S. official said.

"If that's the only option the Chinese leave us, there's a real possibility that Chinese entities will get hit," the official said.

The U.S. aim would be to tighten the screws on North Korea in the same way it pressured Iran to open negotiations on its suspected nuclear weapons program – by penalizing all foreign firms dealing with the country.

"The amount of pressure that has been brought to bear economically on North Korea is far short of what was brought to bear against Iran," another senior administration official said.

Some analysts cautioned that targeting Chinese entities with so-called "secondary sanctions" could backfire and make Beijing less willing to cooperate, and that dealing with a country that already has nuclear weapons differs from dealing with one accused of trying acquire them.

"If you want to rely on sanctions to achieve your goal, you have to find a way to persuade or force the world into going all the way to a near full embargo or at least an embargo on key commodities like petroleum and on North Korean hard currency export earnings," said Joseph DeThomas, a former State Department official who worked on Iran and North Korea sanctions.

"Only if the regime sees continuation of sanctions as fatal will it consider change," he said.

In a sign of Beijing's growing frustration with North Korea, China's Global Times newspaper said on Wednesday that North Korea should halt any nuclear and missile activities "for its own security" - a reference to the approaching U.S. naval force.

It said that if North Korea made another provocative move, "Chinese society" might back unprecedented sanctions "such as restricting oil imports."

While run by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, the Global Times does not always represent government policy.

http://www.newsweek.com/trump-sanct...r-weapons-kim-jong-un-china-xi-jinping-583326


Ya know, those who said Trump would try the same sh!t on DPRK after the 59 Tomahawks muscle flexing just don't quite get the point we Chinese all pointed out earlier. And now despite sending some Muscle it comes as no surprise to us it's all for the show. Harder sanctions is what the US will keep on pushing because the consequences in the region will be catastrophic once switched to militaristic options there's no going back. I don't expect some people to understand when they are convinced China will not get involved, US armchair generals know all too well China isn't bluffing.

 

[third eye]

Interesting stuff..


http://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...ot-obliged-defend-n-korea-if-its-attacked-say

China’s nuclear get-out clause over defence of North Korea

Beijing not obliged to defend Pyongyang as its development of nuclear weapons breaches mutual defence pact, experts say as US warns it may launch strike against North

Kristin Huang
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 13 April, 2017, 10:00am
UPDATED : Thursday, 13 April, 2017, 11:27pm

China is not obliged to help defend North Korea from military attack if the reclusive state developed nuclear weapons, according to Chinese diplomatic and military observers.

The assessment comes as senior officials in Washington warn of a strike against the Pyongyang regime.

China and North Korea signed a mutual aid and cooperation treaty in 1961 as they sought to mount a united front against Western powers. It specifies that if one of the parties comes under armed attack, the other should render immediate assistance, including military support.

But the treaty also says both nations should safeguard peace and security.

For China, North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons in violation of the United Nations treaty on non-proliferation could amount to a breach of their pact, leaving Beijing with no obligation to lend a hand, observers said.

China could also have a get-out clause if any US military intervention was not deemed an armed attack.

“It’s hard to say how China would assist North Korea militarily in case of war, since North Korea is developing nuclear weapons, an act that might have already breached the treaty between the two nations,” said Li Jie, a retired Chinese naval colonel.

Shanghai-based military analyst Ni Lexiong said China would need to provide military assistance to North Korea if US land forces invaded, but Pyongyang’s violation of the UN non-proliferation treaty was a “strong reason” for Beijing to choose not to help.

Threats of military action against North Korea have grown, with US President Donald Trump saying Washington was prepared to act alone against Pyongyang.

A strike group headed by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson has also been deployed to waters off the Korean peninsula.

Nevertheless, Beijing, North Korea’s economic lifeline, does have some interest in backing up its old ally. China fears the collapse of the regime in Pyongyang could lead to an influx of refugees into China and eliminate the buffer zone keeping US troops from the Chinese border.

But Ni said the possibility of a full-scale war was slim because the US was unlikely to send land forces into North Korea, preferring air strikes or missiles launches instead.

“The situation would be much easier for China in this case. China would not have to mobilise its land forces to help North Korea,” he said. “China then only needs to send the North Sea Fleet or military aircraft to step up patrols of the Korean peninsula

Zhou Chenming, from the Knowfar Institute for Strategic and Defence Studies think tank, said war over North Korea was unlikely because all the parties involved were looking for ways to defuse tensions.

But if military conflict did erupt, China could help Pyongyang with supplies such as food and weaponry, such as old tanks.

 

[The SC]

China Warns North Korea Situation Has Hit "Tipping Point", Threatens "Never Before Seen" Measures
by Tyler Durden
Apr 12, 2017 4:20 PM

After warnings yesterday, and on the heels of a "very good call" with President Trump, China has escalated its threats to North Korea over its nuclear tests. In another Global Times op-ed, China warns "if the North makes another provocative move this month, the Chinese society will be willing to adopt severe restrictive measures that have never been seen before..."

Yesterday's editorial in the military-focused Global Times tabloid, owned and operated by the Communist Party's People's Daily newspaper, said that North Korea’s nuclear activities must not jeopardize northeastern China, and that if the North impacts China with its illicit nuclear tests through either "nuclear leakage or pollution", then China will respond with force.

“China has a bottom line that it will protect at all costs, that is, the security and stability of northeast China... If the bottom line is touched, China will employ all means available including the military means to strike back. By that time, it is not an issue of discussion whether China acquiesces in the US’ blows, but the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will launch attacks to DPRK nuclear facilities on its own."​

This, as the editorial puts it, is the "bottom line" for China; should it be crossed China will employ all means available including the military means to strike back," warned the editorial.

Overnight, Trump and Xi held a call, which Trump said went well...

https://twitter.com/x/status/852134796436398086

And today we see another Global Times editorial somewhat supporting US and increasing its threats to North Korea...

Washington's latest threat to Pyongyang is more credible given its just launched missile attack at an air base in Syria. The Korean Peninsula has never been so close to a military clash since the North conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.

If Pyongyang conducts its sixth nuclear test in the near future, the possibility of US military action against it will be higher than ever. Not only Washington brimming with confidence and arrogance following the missile attacks on Syria, but Trump is also willing to be regarded as a man who honors his promises.

Now the Trump team seems to have decided to solve the North Korean nuclear crisis. As the discussion runs deeper, a situation of no-solution will not be accepted.

A new nuclear test or an intercontinental ballistic missile test, if conducted by Pyongyang at this time, will be a slap in the face of the US government and will intensify the confrontation between North Korea and the US.

Presumably Beijing will react strongly to Pyongyang's new nuclear actions. China will not remain indifferent to Pyongyang's aggravating violation of the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution.

More and more Chinese support the view that the government should enhance sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear activities. If the North makes another provocative move this month, the Chinese society will be willing to see the UNSC adopt severe restrictive measures that have never been seen before, such as restricting oil imports to the North. Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program is intended for securing the regime, however, it is reaching a tipping point. Pyongyang hopes its gamble will work, but all signs point to the opposite direction.

The US is making up its mind to stop the North from conducting further nuclear tests, it doesn't plan to co-exist with a nuclear-armed Pyongyang.

​

As we concluded yesterday, after China's initial warning; the most notable part of the op-ed is the mention in the Global Times editorial that North Korea will not be "not allowed to have a government that is hostile against China on the other side of the Yalu River." This implies that if and when the US initiate strikes on NK, the Chinese PLA will likely send out troops "to lay the foundation" for a favorable post-war situation.

In other words, China may be just waiting for Trump to "decapitate" the North Korean regime, to pounce and immediately fill the power vacuum.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-...-never-seen-measures-if-they-dont-de-escalate

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Remember what China said during the last Korean War?

"Do not approach the Yalu River". That's all.

All China wants is a buffer zone. If we get the buffer zone, the rest is irrelevant. If we don't get a buffer zone, then it will be the same as the last Korean War.

In other words, China may be just waiting for Trump to "decapitate" the North Korean regime, to pounce and immediately fill the power vacuum.

I think it will be too much hassle to administer the entire North Korea, better to have a designated buffer zone on the top part of the country.

That's assuming that Fat Kim doesn't, upon the imminent collapse of the Fat Kim regime, decide to launch all his nukes at his greatest enemies to avoid becoming the next Saddam or Gaddafi. Which means in order, the American mainland, South Korea, and then Japan. Which will cause a global economic crisis as well as much of the territory of North Korea, South Korea, and the Japanese and US West coast being radioactive.

 

[The SC]

North Korea has called on foreign residents in South Korea to consider evacuating because, it claims the situation on the Peninsula is "inching close to a thermonuclear war
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-pacific-22082721

BREAKING: US intelligence officials believe North Korea has positioned a nuclear device inside a tunnel in preparation for a test

Urgent: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered immediate evacuation of the capital, Pyongyang.

South Korea .The North Korean leader has acted to evacuate the capital, warning of his intention to use nuclear weapons

General alarm in North Korean capital

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1775983756047245

 

[Saho]

President Trump is doubling down on his tough talk on North Korea, telling Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo on Tuesday that dictator Kim Jong Un is “making a big mistake” with his nuclear provocations.

“I don’t know him,” Trump said. “But he’s doing the wrong thing.”

Late last week, the president deployed a U.S. Navy strike group to the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula. In turn, North Korea warned of tough counteraction against the U.S. if there is any sign of an American strike.

“We are sending an armada, very powerful,” Trump said. “We have submarines, very powerful, far more powerful than the aircraft carrier, that I can tell you.”

“We have the best military people on earth,” the president continued. “And I will say this. He is doing the wrong thing. He is doing the wrong thing.”

Trump, though, declined to say what the United States is doing in terms of North Korea.

“You never know, do you? You never know,” he said. “You know I don’t talk about the military. I’m not like Obama.”

North Korea is one of Trump’s most difficult national security challenges. During the last two administrations, Pyongyang made enough progress on nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles that, experts predict, it could strike the U.S. mainland, possibly even the East Coast, in two to three years.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-north-korea-sending-armada-144441920.html

 

[The SC]

N Korea warns foreigners in S Korea
North Korea has called on foreign residents in South Korea to consider evacuating because, it claims the situation on the Peninsula is
"inching close to a thermonuclear war".

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-pacific-22082721

Urgent: Japanese newspapers: The United States discussed with Japan direct military operations against North Korea

 

[The SC]

China 'mobilises 25,000 extra troops to North Korea' & puts country on 'NATIONWIDE ALERT'

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world...r-Orban-migrant-quota-university-law-protests

 

[xunzi]

SOMETHING BIG IS GOING DOWN!!

I'm sure our leadership will take all measures to defend ourselves.

 

[The SC]

that "big event" all the journalists in Pyongyang were at? @pearswick says they were at the opening of a new street. big in North Korea

 

[terranMarine]

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1042144.shtml

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump spoke on the phone on Wednesday, only five days after their meeting in Florida, in a bid to ease increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Xi told Trump that China is sticking to its target of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that China is committed to the peace and stability of the peninsula, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The two leaders have to keep in touch to avoid unnecessary incidents, experts say.

China believes that the issue should be solved through peaceful means, said Xi, adding that China is ready to maintain communications and coordination with the US on the issue.

"Since the US sent warships to increase tensions over the situation, it's very necessary for Xi to reaffirm China's position with Trump. Trump has to understand that military conflict on the front door of Chinese territory is unacceptable," Lü Chao, a researcher on North Korea at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

US allies Japan and South Korea are also reluctant to join unilateral action with the US, because they will be the first to be affected should any conflict occur, since they are closest to North Korea, Lü said.

Trump tweeted on Wednesday that he "had a very good call" with Xi "concerning the menace of North Korea."

Meanwhile, the Kyodo News Agency reported that Japan is worried about its territory being targeted by North Korean missiles if the US launches any military action. But Japan's behavior also suggests it has no choice as an ally but to follow any US action despite Tokyo's worries, experts believe.

Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun reported on Wednesday that "Japan is considering holding a joint drill in the East China Sea with the US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, which is heading to waters off the Korean Peninsula in a show of force against North Korea."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Beijing on Tuesday that China firmly opposes a "preemptive strike" whether it's from North Korea or the US, Kyodo reported.

China's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs Wu Dawei, who is currently visiting South Korea, also denied rumors that "China has acquiesced to the US to launch unilateral action," the Yonhap News reported.

No 'regime change'

According to a Bloomberg report on Sunday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the US "wasn't interested in 'regime change' in North Korea," so North Korea's excuse to develop nuclear weapons is false.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang responded on Wednesday that China welcomes efforts from any relevant party on the Korean Peninsula issue to build mutual trust through dialogue.

"This is a positive signal from the US, but this is also reaffirming the old US position. Now it is time to wait for a positive response from Pyongyang," Jia Qingguo, Dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University, told the Global Times.

"Unfortunately the US and North Korea don't trust each other. The US wants North Korea to go back to its promise in 2007 to abandon its nuclear arms gradually, rather than merely stop the tests. North Korea believes that the US has no credibility and only nuclear weapons can secure its safety," Jia said.

"North Korea should take this as an opportunity to make compromises, or at least promise to stop nuclear and missile tests, and start communicating with the US. Under strong pressure from both China and the US, Pyongyang will very likely consider the change," said Chu Yin, an associate professor at the University of International Relations.

Trump's China trip

During the call, Xi also asked teams in China and the US to work closely together to make sure that Trump's visit to China later this year can achieve fruitful results, Xinhua reported.

In Wednesday's phone conversation, Trump said the meeting with Xi at Mar-a-Lago was a success. It is very important for the two presidents to maintain close communication, he added.

Trump agreed that the two sides should work together to promote pragmatic cooperation in a wide range of areas. The US president also said he was looking forward to his state visit to China this year. The two leaders agreed to maintain close communication through all channels.