North Korea Nuke testing...

[fredjacksonsan]

Good article. It states, over and over, that NK has a total war option in the case of preemptive strikes by the US. Nowhere in there does it state that NK intends to start anything - but that doesn't preclude them from doing so.

The problem I see is that NK's only weapon with which to attack the US is the missiles. There is no other way for them to project power more than a thousand miles or so.

[highteknology]

if NK were to invade South Korea, do you not think that there would be more support behind South Korea in defending themselves.

i'm pretty sure the US would back them, but i would also imagine that a country like China would also back them. As well as the U.N. i don't really know though. it just seems that South Korea would have enough to back them up. everything i read about NK test launching the missle seems like almost the entire world is against it. which takes us back to the point that North Korea just doesn't care.

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

The UN won't do crap, they take forever to do something.

[RSX-S777]

North Korea is the proverbial cornered animal. Lots of frightened barking and growling and posturing. The truth is that, while large in number, their military is VASTLY inferior to that of the South Koreans. And consider the mass desertions (a la Iraq) that might ostensibly even the numbers. Military analysts seem to agree that, in a full-on war, North Korea wouldn't stand a chance. The North doesn't have anything resembling the resources to go to war with anyone, anyway. And I think they would find China and Russia to be of very little help should the Kim Jong initiate one. As it stands now Russia is abstaining from a U.N. vote and China will probably vote with the majority to avoid being the sole backer of a lunatic republic. The best the North could possibly hope to do is go out in a suicidal nuclear blaze of glory. I tend to think they have no intention of going to war. Their insane rhetoric has yielded results in the past. Wild threats have historically always been key to their negotiating strategies.

[03cavPA]

I've come across news reports that say the latest missile test was aimed at Hawaii. I don't know how true that is, but that's just flat nuckin' futs.

That insane little bastidge from NK is so crazy, though, that he may do something just stupid enough to touch off some really nasty stuff.

[Toksin]

It was just a test. The thing blew up less than a minute after launch, either through detonation of malfunction.

The NK army has something like 5.8 million men, but, I'd imagine most are badly trained conscripts.

Kim Jong Il doesn't give a fuck about his people, and would probably happily send them to die.

If they get their missiles perfected, I'd be a little nervous if I was in Korea and Japan...plus, the US has a fair few troops in both countries.

However, when it comes to North Korea, MAD (mutually assured destruction) does not apply. North Korea probably couldn't do any major damage to anyone, but if it went to a ground war it would be a horrible mess, even with their inferior equipment, they just have far higher numbers than anyone else can field.

Personally I don't think nuking the North is that smart of an idea either. I don't think the South would be happy if half their peninsula gets turned to glass...

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Toksin

If they get their missiles perfected, I'd be a little nervous if I was in Korea and Japan...plus, the US has a fair few troops in both countries.

I'm nervous and concerned as a parent. I have a special interest because my #2 son is stationed with the US Air Force at one of the air bases in S. Korea. They train in a full chemical, biological and nuclear warfare environment quite often as if the North was going to attack.

The US does not have the stomach or cannot afford to get into another war. We can't even handle Iraq and Afghanistan. Lets settle it diplomatically and in the meantime send them all the rice and seaweed they need to feed their starving people.

Old Kim is blaming the US for his mismanagement of the country and their starvation to include whatever other problems.

[Toksin]

Yeah, Kim's personality cult wouldn't allow him to do anything else. The guy doesn't give a fuck about his own people and is perfectly happy to have them sit with no power or water at night.

[RSX-S777]

^It makes you wonder why his people and his military should give a fuck about him. I understand he has quite a little propaganda machine established...but at what point does the average North Korean look around and come to his/her senses? I have a hard time believing half his military wouldn't roll over and run for the border if given the chance during a ground campaign. Not to mention the number of higher ups who might be swayed (bought) by foreign intelligence agencies behind the scenes.

[vinnym86]

Ah yes, the Type-o-Dong. Kim Jon Il thinks his dong can ass-ault us? i don't think so. strategists say kim's dong is actually impotent, not quite sophisticated enough to be taken seriously... and with a name like type-o-dong, how can it be? a long-range dong can easily be shot down by american forces. We've got a strict no-back-door policy, and will not allow kim's dong to penetrate our defenses. The real threat is to neighboring countries, as the short-range dongs pose a serious security issue, though unimpressive and unattractive, the short-dong may be able to deal irreparable damage to neighbors.

yes i took that too far... thank you rob corddry

[Broke_as_****]

Originally Posted by RSX-S777

^It makes you wonder why his people and his military should give a fuck about him.

When you're looking at the business end of the gun you don't really have much choice. North Korea has more in common with a prison than anything else.

[stone_mound_camaro]

I sat back and thought to myself as I watched this story unfold on CNN. Hmmm.... it seems that NK has popped back up again and got all pissy. This isnt the first time. Last time was when the US was "sure" Iraq had WMD's. Iraq goes "no we dont have WMD's" US says... "we will invade you" at about the same time North Korea goes.."I have nuclear weapons. Kiss my ass theres nothing you can do. hahaha" and the US says..."we're gonna leave you alone" now the problem has come back again only more threatening. I hope we deal with this situation more accordingly. Why is everyone stuck on the fact that the missles failed? The fact of the matter is that NK is trying to flex its muscles and puff out its chest by shooting them off. Just because some of them failed doesnt mean a thing. NASA rockets used to fail a lot. and recently some bad things have happened, but they've learned from mistakes and thats what NK has done.

...end of rant
there was just a lot of stuff floating around in my head about the situation and it just spewed forth in an orderless flow

[highteknology]

Originally Posted by stone_mound_camaro

Why is everyone stuck on the fact that the missles failed? The fact of the matter is that NK is trying to flex its muscles and puff out its chest by shooting them off. Just because some of them failed doesnt mean a thing. NASA rockets used to fail a lot. and recently some bad things have happened, but they've learned from mistakes and thats what NK has done.

i think everyone is focusing in on the fact that the missiles failed because until they can successfully launch, if they ever do, NK does not have enough muscle to "puff out its chest". Sure NASA had some failed rockets, look at how long it took them to get them to actually lift off. NK doesn't have the resources to research, test, improve and advance rockets, like the US does. Hopefully by the time NK does reach that we will be out of Iraq and the whole deal with the Mid-East so IF something does require action in NK we will be able to defend ourselves (yes, DEFEND not go provoking shit)

[whttrshpunk]

North Korea will be the beginning of one of the ugliest conflicts we've seen in our recent history. China and Russia are allied together, and NK may prove to be the reason they need to start trouble for everyone. Major players to watch: China, Russia, U.S., Israel. Minor Players: U.K., Japan, NK, SK Tertiary Players: Everyone else in the world. You can call me crazy now, just remember this thread in 10 years