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RKP5637

(67,111 posts)
Sat Mar 9, 2019, 09:11 AM Mar 2019

N.Korea May Ready Rocket Launch, Blames U.S. for Summit Flop

Trumpee, you're doing a heck of a job.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/north-korea-may-preparing-missile-010222356.html

(Bloomberg) -- North Korea could be preparing to launch a missile or rocket in the near future, according to satellite images of activity in the country, U.S. radio network NPR reported, while the country’s state media said the world is blaming the U.S. for ending the Hanoi summit without an agreement.

The images were taken on Feb. 22 at the Sanumdong facility near Pyongyang, where North Korea has assembled some of its intercontinental ballistic missiles and satellite-launching rockets, NPR reported. They show trucks and cars parked nearby, while rail cars sit in a yard, where two cranes are erected, it said. The pictures were taken by DigitalGlobe and shared exclusively with NPR.

“When you put all that together, that’s really what it looks like when the North Koreans are in the process of building a rocket,” Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Project at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, told NPR. Lewis said it was impossible to know if North Korea is preparing a military missile or a space rocket.

The release of the images comes after Donald Trump abruptly ended a summit with Kim Jong Un in Vietnam late last month after the U.S. president said the North Korean leader asked for all U.S. sanctions to be lifted in exchange for dismantling the country’s main nuclear complex.

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soryang

(3,299 posts)
8. The US returned to the Libyan model at Hanoi
Sat Mar 9, 2019, 04:53 PM
Mar 2019

They had no intention of negotiation. When they have done this before the North has refused to talk. Bolton and the neo-cons took over in Hanoi.

This is a regime change policy. The US State Department published a statement saying there would be no "step by step" policy and no sanctions relief of any kind. Bolton has been making the media rounds threatening more sanctions and so are some in the Senate.

Now that many of the critics of that initiative have got what they wanted—a tougher approach to North Korea—they have to accept the consequences, whatever they may be.



What Happened in Hanoi?
BY: JOEL S. WIT AND JENNY TOWN

https://www.38north.org/2019/02/editor022819/

*38 North is a website devoted to informed analysis of North Korea.



soryang

(3,299 posts)
10. I just watched the VOA Korean broadcast for today
Sat Mar 9, 2019, 05:09 PM
Mar 2019

I have to say that it's somewhat discouraging to see all white people from the US and UK in this broadcast and elsewhere claim they know what's best for Korea, and that Moon Jae In should get out of the way. They remind me of the experts before the Vietnam War and some of our other recent wars.

On a PBS broadcast, they said Trump was getting advice from Japan's Shinzo Abe. This is about the worst place they could get advice. If anyone understood the miserable track record Japan has in the region, Abe's background, or recent events between Japan and South Korea, at least they wouldn't admit something like this. It's quite telling really.

RKP5637

(67,111 posts)
11. It feels like history is repeating. With Bolton and Trump in the mix it's god awful how this could
Sat Mar 9, 2019, 05:13 PM
Mar 2019

end. tRump wants a war with someone IMO. I'm sure Bolton is happy to oblige.


soryang

(3,299 posts)
12. On Bolton
Sat Mar 9, 2019, 05:44 PM
Mar 2019
Jong Se Hyun criticized John Bolton's critical "no deal" role at the summit talks in Hanoi. Jong, the former Unification Minister of South Korea, described Bolton as an ill fated person, and likened him to a white cavalry general who kills "Indians."
...
Bolton had planned to meet the National Security Advisor of South Korea, Jong Eui Yong, on February 23 before the Hanoi summit. The Korean National Security Advisor, apparently had an apprehension of Bolton's so called "big deal" written proposal with which he differed and the meeting was canceled. US press reports had merely reported that Bolton didn't go because he had more pressing matters in Venezuela to attend to. This fundamental difference in his views from those of the South Korean administration weren't disclosed in US reports at the time. It's very unlikely Bolton would have been welcome in Seoul under the circumstances.


https://www.democraticunderground.com/113323635

I wrote this on the missile base activity:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/113323635

Joel Wit at 38North evaluates the missile base activity in light of the failure of a similar agreement in April 2012 after a space launch at that time.

The Leap Day Deal: A Cautionary Tale for the Trump Administration
BY: JOEL S. WIT

https://www.38north.org/2019/03/editor030719/

*38 North is a website devoted to informed analysis of North Korea.








RKP5637

(67,111 posts)
13. This was interesting, especially the 3rd link. Yes, this was well said IMO,
Sat Mar 9, 2019, 05:55 PM
Mar 2019

Bolton, an "ill fated person." Bolton's appearance does not suggest he is one that could broker a solution without hostilities IMO and I doubt he is very receptive to differing ideas. The combination of Bolton and Trump is quite worrisome.


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