Who loves North Korea?

[Baltar]

"Two rounds of North Korean missile tests were conducted on July 5, 2006 (Korean time). The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) reportedly fired at least seven separate missiles.[1] These included two short-range Nodong-2 missiles, one Scud missile and up to two long-range Taepodong-2 missiles; the latter having been estimated by United States intelligence agencies as having a potential range reaching as far as Alaska in its current stage. Some, including Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, believe that North Korea will carry out additional missile tests in the days that follow.

According to the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun, given the trajectory and angle, the target for the Taepodong 2 missile may have been the waters around Hawaii. However, some disputed the Sankei report, as Japanese Defense Agency refused to confirm. Pentagon officials said Thursday that the brief flight of the Taepodong-2 missile made it difficult to collect useful technical data, including its intended target, its payload and whether it was a two-stage or three-stage missile. Some U.S. officials were even leaning toward the theory that it was configured as a space launch to deliver a satellite into orbit, rather than as a flight test of a ballistic missile.

North Korea made its first public acknowledgement of the tests on July 6, through its foreign ministry, describing them as "successful" and part of "regular military drills to strengthen self-defence", insisting that it had the legal right to do so. The country warned of "stronger physical actions" if it was put under pressure by the international community. On July 8, CNN reported that the U.S. had deployed the USS Mustin, a guided missile destroyer, to Japan's port of Yokosuka, home of the Navy's 7th fleet. A spokeswoman said that the deployment was not related to the test-firings, and it had been previously planned. The USS Shiloh will be deployed in August.

It has been reported that North Korea plans to test further missiles. On July 6, according to Yonhap News, South Korean defense minister Yoon Kwang-ung said South Korean intelligence suggests more missiles may be fired, and on July 7, the Mainichi Daily News reported Japanese and U.S. officials believe a second Taepodong-2 has been delivered to the launch site. Although Kwang-ung said intelligence presumes a second Taepondong-2 had been transported to the launch pad before the first one was fired, he denied North Korea was going to test a second one. He stated South Korean intelligence still needs to confirm that the missile is still there.In addition, Japanese officials say North Korea would not launch another Taepodong because of trouble with the missile's booster. The Chosun Ilbo had reported a South Korean government official said a second missile is believed to be stored at Taepo-dong, North Hamgyong Province in an assembly building. The American television network NBC had also reported a second Taepodong missile is in the final stages of assembly.

FOX News and several major South Korean newspapers have reported three to five missiles are currently on the launchpad, though none are Taepodong missiles. When queried by Reuters, a U.S. intelligence official confirmed that a second Taepodong-2 is not on the launchpad.[18] North Korea has barred people from sailing into some areas off the coast until July 11, 2006. Some believe this is a sign of preparations for additional launches.

Due to this move by North Korea, several stock markets in Asia had fallen, with concern that a move like this could lead to a future conflict in the Southeast and East Asian areas. Crude oil prices have also risen since the missile tests."

Now that the facts are a little bit clearer. What are the thoughts on this event in general?

[Nega-Brent]

I can't wait until Wednesday because then I'll be able to change my display name to

Taepodong-Arsie.

[darkon]

North Korea has a million man military. And because of that the entire region could be sent into a serious war. Unless somehow the powers that be in the Useless Nations reach an agreement to stop things now.

[Artie]

yea. North Korea is crazy enough to actualy use a nuke too. and i saw on teh news that Hawaii is just in range of one of their missiles like that quote said..

[Baltar]

peral harbor and the fallout could make Hawaii the new Bikini Island thanks to North Korea

[Bittersweet Endings Only]

North Korea has a million man military. And because of that the entire region could be sent into a serious war. Unless somehow the powers that be in the Useless Nations reach an agreement to stop things now.

For some reason, I'm not all that worried about that. Possibly because the PRC has a billion-man army, a land border with North Korea, and a symbiotic economic relationship with the United States.

[ROCKSTEADY]

would NK be so defense/offensive if the UN didn't badger them constantly.

Granted, Kimmy is a little crazy, i think if we just left NK alone from the begining america wouldnt be threatened with nuclear attacks.

[Poophy]

The population of North Korea is about 23 million; they have an army of about 1.2 million. That means that more than 1 in 20 citizens are in the army. If we had that we would have a standing army of nearly 15 million. They spend about 30% of their GDP on their military; we spend only about 4%(and many of us think that that’s too much). I’m still confused about how this country hasn’t completely collapsed never mind become a threat to us. The fact is in order to win a war agents North Korea you don’t need missiles or guns, you only need to stop giving them food. Maybe if the people see the DPRK government as the cause of there starvation then they might remove KIM Jong Il for us. The only problem is the fact that most of the world (including myself) is against the idea of starving an entire nation because of what its leaders do.

Also, I think that the guy might be a little unstable and delusional, but I don’t think that he really wants war.

[Baltar]

Lanching missles during the time frame of a shuttle launch was though a horrid idea.

[darkon]

For some reason, I'm not all that worried about that. Possibly because the PRC has a billion-man army, a land border with North Korea, and a symbiotic economic relationship with the United States.

Which they are quickly needing less and less.

But I do agree China won't in the foreseeable future do anything to affect their relationship with the U.S.

[Poophy]

But there’s a difference between staying neutral and throwing their support behind us…

[JesusTheNinja]

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea" is there any truth to this ironic-sounding name at all? I suppose if the people have ever voted for anything government-wise, you could call the country Democratic, but dictators kind of push in the opposite direction.

North Korea is absolutely amazing. Utterly incredible. They're biggest gambling chip is that their own people will die if we don't meet their demands. It's like a bank robber putting a gun to his head and using himself as a hostage. Or stealing a motorbike without a helmet on, and if anyone does anything about it, you could hurt yourself.

What a world.

[guy incognito]

TOKYO - Japan said Monday it was considering whether a pre-emptive strike on North Korea’s missile bases would violate its constitution, signaling a hardening stance ahead of a possible U.N. Security Council vote on Tokyo’s proposal for sanctions against the regime.

[Reinas]

I don't want to be neighbors with the US anymore. But I agree with the post that said if NK had been left alone by the UN and US, it probably wouldn't result in this.

Funny how they poke their noses at something that could threaten them in the future if provoked but won't participate in other world issues that have people currently dying.

SOURCES PLEASE.

[Nega-Brent]

I don't want to be neighbors with the US anymore. But I agree with the post that said if NK had been left alone by the UN and US, it probably wouldn't result in this.

Funny how they poke their noses at something that could threaten them in the future if provoked but won't participate in other world issues that have people currently dying.

Funny how the world would criticize us regardless.

[Reinas]

Funny how the world would criticize us regardless.

That is part of the US being the number one superpower of the world. You can't please everyone, but if the US maybe, just maybe slowed down in involving themselves in international affairs, then it could do more to good to the affairs that you're already involved in.

[Nega-Brent]

That is part of the US being the number one superpower of the world. You can't please everyone, but if the US maybe, just maybe slowed down in involving themselves in international affairs, then it could do more to good to the affairs that you're already involved in.

Ah the hypocrisy of the world abroad.

[Reinas]

Ah the hypocricy of the world abroad.

Of course, as if there was nothing hypocritical with everyone else.

[Nega-Brent]

Of course, as if there was nothing hypocritical with everyone else.

What I meant was the U.S. is damned if we do and damned if we don't. Regardless of our actions the world in general will continue to criticize. Nothing ever changes, the world expects us to act, but at the same time thinks we're imposing, conquering, and destroying. It's ridiculous, but the U.S. is just as ridiculous so it evens things out.

[darkon]

What I meant was the U.S. is damned if we do and damned if we don't. Regardless of our actions the world in general will continue to criticize. Nothing ever changes, the world expects us to act, but at the same time thinks we're imposing, conquering, and destroying. It's ridiculous, but the U.S. is just as ridiculous so it evens things out.

We think whenever a country doesn't join us they hate us. God forbid they not have the money to spend on assisting us. I mean, it's common knowledge that heavy spending on the military will solve all your problems. Even if you are facing a huge deficit and possible economic collapse in the near future.

[The Diabetic]

Korea is really fucked when one invades the other it really is only a matter of time.

[Poophy]

Not really, I’m still convinced, that given long enough, the government of North Korea will collapse.

[Wind]

Kel loves North Korea?

lol