NKOREA BOASTS: US CAN’T STOP “SHOWER OF NUCLEAR STRIKES


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A spokesman for the Strategic Force of the Korean People’s Army told KCNA state news agency that the US ballistic missile interceptor test conducted on Tuesday “is just a serious military provocation that brings to light the US imperialists’ wild ambition for igniting a nuclear war.”

He called the interceptor test a “risky act” that indicates US “preparations for unleashing a nuclear war against” North Korea. Such “foolhardy moves” of the US military only prove that North Korea’s “bolstering the nuclear force for self-defense is entirely just,” according to the spokesman.

The US military, however, did not call the target of the test an “an ICBM from North Korea” or even imply it. An unnamed Pentagon official told Stars and Stripes that the test was planned “years in advance” and was not a direct response to recent North Korean ballistic missile tests.

The test was hailed by the Pentagon as an “incredible accomplishment” representing a “critical milestone” for the anti-missile program.

“This test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat,” US Missile Defense Agency chief Vice Admiral James D. Syring said in a statement.

North Korea, however, dismissed the results of the test as a “bluff,” as the ICMB interception system, according to the spokesman, would not prevent the “shower of nuclear strike” from North Korea.

“They are now bluffing, bragging about the ‘success’ in the test and the efficiency of the missile interception system. But the DPRK considers it just as a foolish act of those driven to despair,” the spokesman said. “The last-ditch gambling of the Trump administration for a nuclear war will only bring earlier the day when the US mainland will turn into ashes.”

The ability of Pyongyang to “hit US mainland” at the moment is doubtful, as all of the recently tested ballistic missiles have been short to medium range. The latest missile, launched on May 28, flew 450 kilometers before landing in the Sea of Japan, about 300km off the Japanese coast. In May, Pyongyang announced that it had successfully tested the Pukguksong-2 intermediate range ballistic missile as a projectile was detected landing in international waters off Japan’s east coast.

North Korea, poses a “clear and present danger” to the US, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday, stressing that Pyongyang actions “are manifestly illegal under international law,” as they violate UN Security Council resolutions.

“The current North Korean program signals a clear intent to acquire nuclear-armed ballistic missiles, including those of intercontinental range, that pose direct and immediate threats to our regional allies, partners and all the world,” Mattis said.

https://www.infowars.com/nkorea-boasts-us-cant-stop-shower-of-nuclear-strikes/

N. Korea fires short-range missile into Sea of Japan – report


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Just days prior to that launch, Pyongyang carried out a ballistic missile test, firing two rockets into the sea.

Both Russia and China have criticized North Korea, saying they do not recognize its nuclear ambitions, and that leader Kim Jong-Un should listen to the UN Security Council’s demands to return to the negotiation table.

However, both Moscow and Beijing agree that rising tensions on the Korean peninsula should not give the US a pretext to deploy a missile shield in the region.

Earlier this month, the “robust” new US-imposed sanctions, blocking businesses from any dealings with North Korea, in an attempt to punish Pyongyang for its nuclear tests.

In a March 2 vote, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved one of the toughest sets of sanctions yet targeting North Korea.

The restrictions include the mandatory inspections of cargo leaving and entering the communist state by land, sea or air, and banned all sales or transfers of small arms and light weapons to Pyongyang. The UN punishment stipulates the expulsion of those diplomats from the North who engage in “illicit activities.” 

https://www.rt.com/news/337557-north-korea-missile-sea/

N. KOREA FIRES SHORT-RANGE MISSILE INTO SEA OF JAPAN – REPORT


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The missile was fired from the North Korean resort town at Wonsan at 5:40 p.m. (08:40 GMT) and flew northeast over the sea for about 200km (124 miles) before it appeared to make contact with land, Yonhap reported.

It comes just one week after the North reportedly launched additional short-range missiles in the direction of the Sea of Japan.

Just days prior to that launch, Pyongyang carried out a ballistic missile test, firing two rockets into the sea.

Both Russia and China have criticized North Korea, saying they do not recognize its nuclear ambitions, and that leader Kim Jong-Un should listen to the UN Security Council’s demands to return to the negotiation table.

However, both Moscow and Beijing agree that rising tensions on the Korean peninsula should not give the US a pretext to deploy a missile shield in the region.

http://www.infowars.com/n-korea-fires-short-range-missile-into-sea-of-japan-report/

China urges United States, North Korea to hold direct talks


China’s foreign ministry on Monday urged the United States and North Korea to sit down with each other face-to-face and resolve their problems, as tension continues to climb on the Korean peninsula after North Korea’s latest rocket test.

While China was angered by the launch, it has also expressed concern at plans by Washington and Seoul to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system, saying it would impact upon China’s own security.

“The focus of the nuclear issue on the peninsula is between the United States and North Korea,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

“We urge the United States and North Korea to sit down and have communications and negotiations, to explore ways to resolve each other’s reasonable concerns and finally reach the goal we all want reached.”

http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2016/02/15/china-urges-united-states-north-korea-to-hold-direct-talks-n2119681

Facing New Sanction Threats, North Koreans Defiant as Ever


The United States and Japan have already announced plans for new sanctions over North Korea’s recent nuclear test and rocket launch, and the U.N. Security Council is likely to deliver more soon. Cross-border tensions with Seoul are escalating quickly and even China is starting to sound more like an angry neighbor than a comrade-in-arms.

But with a storm brewing all around them, North Koreans have their own take on things — and it’s decidedly unapologetic.

Pyongyang started off the new year with what it claims was its first hydrogen bomb test and followed that up with the launch of a satellite on a rocket condemned by much of the world as a test of banned missile technology. When Seoul responded by closing down an industrial park that is the last symbol of cooperation between the two rivals, Pyongyang lashed back, expelling all South Koreans from the site just north of the Demilitarized Zone and putting it under military control.

Each move brought a new round of international outrage. But while the motives of Kim Jong Un’s regime are — as usual — a matter of speculation, ask a North Korean what’s going on and the reply is swift, indignant and well-practiced.

It’s America’s fault.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/facing-sanction-threats-north-koreans-defiant-36941497

North Korean dictator Kim orders more rocket launches


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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised scientists involved in the country’s recent rocket launch that he said struck a “telling blow” to enemies and ordered them to press ahead with more launches, state media reported Monday.

Earlier this month, North Korea ignored repeated international warnings and launched what it said was an Earth observation satellite aboard a rocket. Washington, Seoul and other view the launch as a prohibited test of missile technology and are pushing hard to have Pyongyang slapped with strong sanctions.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said the ruling Workers’ Party on Saturday gave a banquet in honor of scientists, officials and others who it said contributed to the Feb. 7 rocket launch. Kim and his top deputies were present.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/02/15/north-korean-dictator-kim-orders-more-rocket-launches.html

All S.Koreans withdraw from joint factory park with DPRK


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All of South Koreans on Thursday withdrew safely from a jointly-run factory park with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) after Pyongyang’s decision to deport all South Korean nationals from the park.

Seoul’s unification ministry said on the phone that all of 280 South Koreans having stayed at the Kaesong Industrial Complex crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) into South Korea’s territory.

All of the people, who had stayed in Kaesong to complete the shutdown of factories, returned to the south at about 10 p.m. local time (1300 GMT).

The DPRK decided Thursday to shut down the inter-Korean industrial zone and deport all of South Koreans staying there. All of assets of South Korean companies running factories there were frozen completely.

The move came a day after South Korea announced its decision to stop operations at the industrial zone, which started manufacturing products in December 2004.

A total of 124 South Korean companies had operated factories there, hiring some 54,000 DPRK workers. The industrial zone had been seen as the last remaining symbol of inter-Korean cooperation as it was launched as a result of a historic summit in 2000 between late South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and late DPRK leader Kim Jong-Il.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-02/11/c_135090639.htm

Japan imposes new sanctions on N Korea


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Japan decided on Wednesday to expand its sanctions on North Korea in protest against Pyongyang’s recent rocket launch, which Tokyo considered a missile test.

The new sanctions will include restrictions on remittances to and cash carried into North Korea and a complete ban on the entry of North Korean-registered vessels into Japanese ports, even for humanitarian purposes.

Tokyo also decided to bar North Korean residents from entering Japan, the Foreign Ministry said.

On Sunday, North Korea launched a long-range rocket that Pyongyang said was carrying a satellite.

The UN Security Council condemned the move as a missile test.

The launch came one month after the reclusive country conducted a nuclear test.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/japan-imposes-new-sanctions-on-n-korea-1982646

North Korean satellite ‘stable’ in orbit after launch, US official confirms


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The satellite that North Korea launched into orbit Sunday is now “stable” in orbit, a U.S. official told Fox News on Tuesday.

Earlier reports had claimed the satellite was “tumbling” in orbit, which would have rendered it useless. A U.S. official told ABC News the same technology used to get the payload into orbit is the same needed to launch a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile at the U.S.

A satellite launched by the secretive regime in 2012 is still in orbit but spiraling back to Earth and is not believed to have transmitted signals back to Earth.

Both satellites bear the name “Shining Star,” a reference to Kim Jong Un’s father, the late Kim Jong Il. The new satellite, which is thought to be somewhat larger than the earlier one, is called Kwangmyongsong 4.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/02/09/s-korea-north-blew-up-rocket-stage-to-confound-analysts.html

North Korean shipping firm skirts U.N. sanctions, gets port access


A U.N.-blacklisted North Korean shipping company continues to evade sanctions through its use of foreign-flagged ships, name changes and other means of obfuscation, according to a new report by United Nations monitors.

The U.N. Security Council’s Panel of Experts on North Korea, which monitors implementation of sanctions on Pyongyang, also said the reclusive communist nation has continued to export ballistic-missile technology to the Middle East and ship arms and materiel to Africa in violation of U.N. restrictions.

“Given the stated intentions of (North Korea), it continued efforts to enhance the scope of its nuclear and missile programs … there are serious questions about the efficacy of the current United Nations sanctions regime,” the panel said in its latest confidential report, seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-sanctions-un-idUKKCN0VI1ZL