North Korea Watch 2017

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF
How on Earth did I miss this thread?

I have lived in the Czech Republic, part of the former Czechoslovakian Soviet Socialist Republic, since 1993, less than four years after the November 1989 "Velvet Revolution".

When The People have had enough, when they can no longer suffer their children starving, or their children being oppressed, they will rise up against a totalitarian regime. History shows this; humanity reflects this. The North Korean regime will fall, and there is no question of this. The only question is exactly when.

People will live and suffer under almost any regime, but when they cannot bear its effects on their children any longer -- and this is the absolutely vital, key point, they will rise up, they will not be silenced, they will be Legion. And the regime will fall.

I live every day with people who experienced this. My own wife, born in the dying year of WWII, lived through the entire Soviet era of domination. She knows how it was and what drove her own people to ultimately overthrow the regime that so cruelly sought to dominate them. Ordinary people did extraordinary things.

The North Koreans are people, just like us. Let us never forget that. Let us not be fooled by propaganda that says they are mindless robots. They are not, but now, they live in fear.

But they love their children, just as we do. And this love can overcome even this fear. And when they are pushed to the limit, they will sacrifice everything to set their children and their children's children free. I've seen it here and I assure you, it will happen there.

a reply to: D8Tee

The initial program violated the NPT, which North Korea was a signatory of. They eventually withdrew, but not before sanctions were put in place. They eventually made several agreements to stop development of their weapons several times, all of which were either broken, or collapsed.

a reply to: JustMike

Hi JustMike! I started it as a continuation of the previous "North Korea Watch YYYY" threads. There are/were stories that just get lost in the shuffle.

But then, after a while, they begin to tell a story. A better view comes out. A more complete view that extends over time and is not some "knee jerk reaction" thread.

So what started as purges last year, defectors last year, has continued into this year. Now you see a nation under the repression of KJU. Even his own party members shot by anti-aircraft guns... yeah, it is brutal.

I hear you on the people! I watched some u-tube documentary where they went to NK. The people seemed friendly enough but the handlers kept everybody in check. Very limited contact with Westerners. They looked hungry for information. I think that is where I may have seen the USB stick thing. Information from the outside one USB stick at a time.

Glad you have enjoyed the conversation and news items here! Come back and drop an item if you like!

a reply to: Zaphod58

There are also international humanitarian laws that members of the regime have been charged with, including Kim Jong Un himself. That action by the US (formally calling out the regime) resulted in the "US crossing a red line" with North Korea. They declared war with us months ago.

They no like us none to well. Which is part of the rhetoric. But yeah, not adhering to the non proliferation treaty is the main thing.

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

They no like us none to well. Which is part of the rhetoric. But yeah, not adhering to the non proliferation treaty is the main thing.

It's my understanding that they withdrew from that treaty.

a reply to: D8Tee

They ratified the treaty, and completed the steps for certification, but then refused to allow inspections and reopened a plant capable of producing plutonium before they withdrew.

How reliable is Pravada? According to their site, the North has ordered an evacuation of their people. They plan to kick out 25% or 600,000 people of the cities population... If this is true it makes me fear something may actually happen.

Pravadareport - North orders evacuation

~Winter

originally posted by: BlueAjah
a reply to: D8Tee

Their dear leader makes threats almost daily to use those nukes on the US, South Korea, etc.

I think if North Korea put one of their substandard nuclear warheads on top of one of their substandard missiles it will go straight up and Boomerang coming back down and blow up a big hole in North Korea

originally posted by: Winterpain
How reliable is Pravada? According to their site, the North has ordered an evacuation of their people. They plan to kick out 25% or 600,000 people of the cities population... If this is true it makes me fear something may actually happen.

Pravadareport - North orders evacuation

~Winter

considering I just saw a western journalist reporting from North Korea this morning, and he said nothing, I presume it didn't happen.

Once again, I'm really surprised that ATS isn't covering this.

Foreign journalists in North Korea gather for 'big event' amid tensions

Some are saying nuke test, others are saying it could be anything from showing off a new skyscraper to Kimmy announcing he got a new hair cut.

Last tweet from Journalists said they had to leave their laptops, phones and lighters on the bus. Supposedly they are on their way to the location of this "big event".

This was a few hours ago. Have not seen any other updates on it yet.

Does anybody know what would happen if a cruise missile detonated a nuke while it's in the air?

a reply to: angeldoll

The nuke would not detonate. The way a nuke works is compression of the material to activate it. A thermonuclear device is even more complicated. And from the US standpoint, still top secret. Meaning ours works, DPRK... not so sure.

A interceptor keeps the big boom from happening but there is fallout. And KJU might feel backed into a corner so may do something stupid.

That is the fear.

a reply to: Wookiep

unveiling of the ICBM

originally posted by: D8Tee
a reply to: Wookiep

unveiling of the ICBM

Do you know this for certain or just speculating?

Honestly, I would be curious as to what the U.S. reaction will be if this turns out to be a hydrogen nuke test. Even an ICBM test would be interesting at this point. The BIG day isn't till Sat. NK could be planning to do both tests in a show of defiance.


Or, it could turn out to be nothing. We shall see...

originally posted by: Wookiep
Once again, I'm really surprised that ATS isn't covering this.

Foreign journalists in North Korea gather for 'big event' amid tensions

Some are saying nuke test, others are saying it could be anything from showing off a new skyscraper to Kimmy announcing he got a new hair cut.

Last tweet from Journalists said they had to leave their laptops, phones and lighters on the bus. Supposedly they are on their way to the location of this "big event".

This was a few hours ago. Have not seen any other updates on it yet.

Well I think I'd be a bit hesitant to go....i mean they may as well make them turn over their passports too. Sounds like a ploy for a hostage situation to me.

originally posted by: Wookiep

originally posted by: D8Tee
a reply to: Wookiep

unveiling of the ICBM

Do you know this for certain or just speculating?

Honestly, I would be curious as to what the U.S. reaction will be if this turns out to be a hydrogen nuke test. Even an ICBM test would be interesting at this point. The BIG day isn't till Sat. NK could be planning to do both tests in a show of defiance.

Or, it could turn out to be nothing. We shall see...

Was joking actually.

I don't believe they have the technology at the present.

Slate article is a good read as to what the North wants.

Slate link

a reply to: Vasa Croe

My thoughts exactly. No way would I get on that bus...

a reply to: Vasa Croe

I'd say it could well be Mr vasa.

Jonathan Kaiman (LA Times) is brave...NO?

""I’m Jonathan Kaiman, the Los Angeles Times’ Beijing bureau chief, and I’ve just arrived in North Korea. I couldn’t have planned a more interesting (and potentially dangerous) time to visit. And I’ll be taking reader questions. Let me be your guide!""

www.latimes.com...

What would you like to ask Jonathan? Asking if his life insurance pays if he's out of the country in a war zone would be in poor taste wouldn't it.

a reply to: D8Tee

Link leads to a 404 page.

Well the "big event" looks to be a possible DUD!

Today's "big and important event" in North Korea turned out to be the opening of a new street, according to Reuters journalist James Pearson

Link

Lame. Screw NK, Kimmy just made 200 reporters wait 6 hours for that, if true. What a douche!