North Korea readying rockets to aim at U.S. targets

[steken1]

Between us.the yanks and the south we've got weaponry to make a million a hundred thousand in a week. If it genuinely happened the speed and scale would be truly awe inspiring.

 

[cbpointblank]

Why is America obssesed with countries in E Asia. Did they learn nothing from the Korean war or Vietnam.
Ive heard they have WMD's and were all in danger of being blew up in 45 mins.

We aren't. Korea was 60 years ago, and Vietnam ended 40 years ago. The DPRK are the ones who've kept their people sealed off from the outside world since then, and constantly use this "looming threat of US imperialist aggression" to keep the populace terrified and loyal - not to mentioned focused on something other than hunger. This "threat" is getting one massive eyeroll from almost everybody over here. They aren't capable of hitting us at home, and we'd smash them to bits with a quickness if they tried anything over there.

An earlier poster was correct about it being one helluva first 24 hours, though. I have several friends who have been stationed over there, and they all say that the troops in SK know that they're essentially a speed bump to allow time for the big hitters to arrive if all hell breaks loose. The 7th fleet is just across the water in Japan, after all.

The *only* way I can see the US retaliating with nukes is if the North were to use nukes themselves, and even then it's not a sure thing. We're more than capable of crippling them without going to that extreme. If we were to go nuclear? An ICBM would reach Pyongyang from Kansas in 15 minutes. Probably not even that long, as there are nuclear-armed subs right in the neighbourhood. They'd be gone before they had a chance to announce the war on the news. We're talking about a modern nuclear force designed to ward off the Soviets, taking on a country stuck in 1955 with a couple of "fat man"-esque throwback bombs.

 

[Blue Truth]

We aren't. Korea was 60 years ago, and Vietnam ended 40 years ago. The DPRK are the ones who've kept their people sealed off from the outside world since then, and constantly use this "looming threat of US imperialist aggression" to keep the populace terrified and loyal - not to mentioned focused on something other than hunger. This "threat" is getting one massive eyeroll from almost everybody over here. They aren't capable of hitting us at home, and we'd smash them to bits with a quickness if they tried anything over there.

An earlier poster was correct about it being one helluva first 24 hours, though. I have several friends who have been stationed over there, and they all say that the troops in SK know that they're essentially a speed bump to allow time for the big hitters to arrive if all hell breaks loose. The 7th fleet is just across the water in Japan, after all.

The *only* way I can see the US retaliating with nukes is if the North were to use nukes themselves, and even then it's not a sure thing. We're more than capable of crippling them without going to that extreme. If we were to go nuclear? An ICBM would reach Pyongyang from Kansas in 15 minutes. Probably not even that long, as there are nuclear-armed subs right in the neighbourhood. They'd be gone before they had a chance to announce the war on the news. We're talking about a modern nuclear force designed to ward off the Soviets, taking on a country stuck in 1955 with a couple of "fat man"-esque throwback bombs.

yep you know there are subs just sitting there waiting for the go ahead to nuke em.

 

[Brennan]

I'm rarely in favour of war, but one which liberates the North is justified in this case.

 

[Mrk]

I'm rarely in favour of war, but one which liberates the North is justified in this case.

At what cost though? It's not beyond the realms of possibility that in the event of an approaching defeat in conflict, the NK dictators could turn on their own citizens à la Hitler.

 

[TheFinnFan]

According to some finnish captain or something, N Korea can kill 100 000 - 500 000 quite swiftly if they want..

 

[Goat]

Why havent we nuked em yet?

 

[Azzurri]

Is this ever going to happen or what?

 

[Ihaters]

I reckon the next world war will be between Japan, The United Europe refugees Army and Google.

 

[Joao Moutinho]

In case you fancy some North Korea betting with Paddy Power...


Kim Jong Un to announce that he has beaten Kim Jong Il's 38 under par round of golf in 2013
6/4

Dennis Rodman to have North Korean citizenship by the end of 2013
25/1

North and South Korea to unite by the end of 2020
50/1

North and South Korea heads of state to publicly sign a joint peace treaty/peace declaration by the end of 2013
5/2

North Korea to declare war on the entire world in 2013
25/1

To hold a democratic election by the end of 2015
50/1

Team America 2 to be released by the end of 2015
3/1

Kim Jong Un to coach North Korea at the next World Cup
33/1

North Korea to lift all restrictions on internet access in 2013
100/1

North Korea to launch a pre-emptive nuclear missile strike in 2013
10/1

Kim Jong Un to resign as Supreme Leader in 2013
33/1

Kim Jong Un to be photographed at the NBA final 2013
200/1

Kim Jong Un to set up a Twitter account in 2013
20/1

Kim Jong Un to rename a day of the week after himself in 2013
33/1

 

[steken1]

In case you fancy some North Korea betting with Paddy Power...


Kim Jong Un to announce that he has beaten Kim Jong Il's 38 under par round of golf in 2013
6/4

Dennis Rodman to have North Korean citizenship by the end of 2013
25/1

North and South Korea to unite by the end of 2020
50/1

North and South Korea heads of state to publicly sign a joint peace treaty/peace declaration by the end of 2013
5/2

North Korea to declare war on the entire world in 2013
25/1

To hold a democratic election by the end of 2015
50/1

Team America 2 to be released by the end of 2015
3/1

Kim Jong Un to coach North Korea at the next World Cup
33/1

North Korea to lift all restrictions on internet access in 2013
100/1

North Korea to launch a pre-emptive nuclear missile strike in 2013
10/1

Kim Jong Un to resign as Supreme Leader in 2013
33/1

Kim Jong Un to be photographed at the NBA final 2013
200/1

Kim Jong Un to set up a Twitter account in 2013
20/1

Kim Jong Un to rename a day of the week after himself in 2013
33/1

I near fell off the chair. That was class when that came out.

 

[steken1]

I'm rarely in favour of war, but one which liberates the North is justified in this case.

It's up to them to liberate themselves mate. It's possible and do-able in any scenario if the will is strong enough.

 

[Allezfan]

It's up to them to liberate themselves mate. It's possible and do-able in any scenario if the will is strong enough.

Bit facile, that.

 

[steken1]

Bit facile, that.

I don't think so. There loads of times in history where this is the case.

It brings about a stronger sense of national pride, unity of purpose and a deep desire for fairness and proper governance that any new state will need.

I'm not saying we couldn't or should offer help or support but almost always the liberating force is turned upon at some point. That tells me a lot about if it's worthwhile.

 

[Allezfan]

I don't think so. There loads of times in history where this is the case.

It brings about a stronger sense of national pride, unity of purpose and a deep desire for fairness and proper governance that any new state will need.

I'm not saying we couldn't or should offer help or support but almost always the liberating force is turned upon at some point. That tells me a lot about if it's worthwhile.

I agrre about liberating forces. But 'do-able in any situation if the will is strong enough' is a little insulting for those people who have suffered under utterly brutal regimes and have been unable to remove them, like the syrians or the burmese or the cambodians or the east european soviets or the german jews. All of whom gave it a good try, and I think would very much claim the will was there. But the weapons and manpower weren't.