Trump calls Kim’s Guam missile bluff
NORTH Korea has delayed launching a missile attack on the US, with its leader Kim Jong-un saying he will do so only if the US does not de-escalate the situation.
Last night North Korean media stated Kim had been briefed by his Missile Command on completed plans to test launch missiles and “bracket” the US Pacific territory of Guam.
But Kim stated he would watch the “foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees” a little longer before deciding whether to give the order for the missile test.
The US has stated any missiles fired toward Guam would be seen as a deeply provocative act.
Meanwhile, officials have told US media that satellites have observed DPRK mobile missile launcher movement, indicating an intermediateballistic missile may be being prepared as part of North Korea’s holiday celebrations.
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the US would “take out” any such missile and declared such a launch could lead to war.
Kim’s comments, however, appear to hold out an offer to defuse the growing crisis – if the US were to make a conciliatory gesture.
“The US imperialists caught the noose around their necks due to their reckless military confrontation racket ... (but) he would watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees spending a hard time of every minute of their miserable lot,” the Pyongyang statement reads.
Dr Genevieve Hohnen, lecturer in politics at Edith Cowan University, said the quote held a clear – if buried – olive branch.
She said it appeared to signal a path to defuse the crisis by saying Kim would watch any US behaviour before giving the order to fire.
“We know what to expect from Kim,” she said. “This isn’t the kind of statement that would be interpreted as aggressive – despite aggressive rhetoric.
“The fact Kim Jong-un says he will respond only if the US does not de-escalate the situation is significant.”
But the question is whether or not everybody who needs to understand that, understands that.
“The problem is Kim Jonun is largely the same personality type as (US President Donald) Trump — both are paranoid, narcissistic and have huge egos,” Dr Hohnen said.
“We’ve never all the really had leaders like that on both sides before. The unknown factor in this is not Kim, it’s Trump.
President Trump has phoned regional leaders, including Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe.
“We agreed that Japan, the US and South Korea will coordinate closely, co-operating with Russia, China and other members of the international community to, above all else, prevent North Korea from launching missiles,” Mr Abe said about the call with President Trump.
But Pyongyang’s state media has this morning reported President Kim as “praising” his Strategic Force for drawing up a “careful” plan for a “power demonstration” to “envelop” Guam in fire.
The missile being prepared could be a Hwasong HS-12. Such intermediate missiles do not have the capacity to reach the mainland US, but can reach the US military bases of Guam and Japan.