Artillery attack serious threat
PYONYANG, April 15, (Agencies): As the world waits and watches for an expected North Korean ballistic missile test, the US and its allies are prepared to respond. US officials are conceding that North Korea may be increasing its nuclear capabilities, but they don’t expect a nuclear strike. They suggest that other military moves by Pyongyang involving artillery attacks or shelling of nearby South Korean islands could actually present a more serious threat in triggering a conflict.
Since the 1950-53 Korean War, North Korea has feared that Washington is intent on destroying the regime. The US worries that Pyongyang will re-ignite the conflict with South Korea, and is uneasy because little is known about Kim Jong Un, the North’s new, young leader, and considers him unpredictable. Both sides have ratcheted up the rhetoric and military muscle moves in recent weeks. North Korea threatened a pre-emptive strike against the US, and conducted an underground nuclear test in February and a rocket launch in December. The threats are seen as an effort to pressure Washington and Seoul to change their North Korean policies and convince the North’s people that their new leader is strong enough to stand up to its foes. US and South Korean troops have been conducting annual joint military drills in the region since early March, including bringing out nuclear-capable stealth bombers and fighter jets in what the Air Force acknowledged was a deliberate show of force.
North Korea has been steadily working to display an increasing capability to launch missiles. Last year it failed in an attempt to send a satellite into space aboard a longrange rocket. A subsequent launch in December was successful, and that was followed by the country’s third underground nuclear test on Feb 12. US officials believe the North is preparing to test fire a medium-range “Musudan” missile. And a section in a new Defense Intelligence Agency assessment concludes with “moderate confidence” that the North could deliver nuclear weapon by ballistic missiles.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, which has responsibility for US homeland defense, is watching the region via satellite and the USS Fitzgerald and the USS John S. McCain, Navy destroyers armed with sophisticated missile defense systems, have been positioned to best be able to detect and track a missile launch. The US is confident it would be able to shoot it down, but would do so only if it appears to be a threat to America or its allies. The US is also prepared to provide military assistance to South Korea in the event of any other type of attack by the North. BEIJING: took its angry rhetoric to an obscure Beijing art gallery on Monday, with its ambassador to China using an exhibition celebrating the 101st birthday of the North’s founder Kim Il-sung to attack the United States and reject repeated calls by China to give up its nuclear programme. “Currently, enemy powers such as the United States are exerting unprecedented military and political suppression on our country,” Ambassador Ji Jae-ryong told a small audience of about 60, made up half of North Koreas and half of Chinese.
US Response
Secretary of State John Kerry warned North Korea not to conduct a missile test, saying it will be an act of provocation that “will raise people’s temperatures” and further isolate the country and its people. President Barack Obama said his administration would “take all necessary steps” to protect American citizens and he urged Pyongyang to end its threats. North Korea has issued no specific warnings to ships and aircraft that a missile test is imminent. And the country has begun festivities celebrating the April 15 birthday of the country’s late founder, Kim Il Sung, which is considered the most important national holiday.
Also: North Korea