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Japan on alert as N Korean rocket launch window opens

29 Comments

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Dec. 21, 2012

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Probably hard to turn those screwdrivers in the cold wind.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Aren't the news channels reporting this as delayed? Seems the window is shut.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Probably a trick move by NK. They will probably fire it off when they think nobody is watching. LOL!!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It would be nice to think that North Korea has listened to world opinion and put off the launch, but such an idea has probably realistically crossed no-one's mind in any country. "North Korea does not listen to the rest of the world and does whatever it likes" ...is the image they have carefully fostered over the years. Like the naughty kid in the classroom that gives everyone a headache. They have given us no reason to suppose this really is a rocket and not an ICBM test.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's good to be alert 24/7 :)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan has deployed missile defense systems to intercept and destroy the rocket if it looks set to fall on its territory

How much chance is that to be happen? It has been aired like propaganda!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Just checked some Chosun media and they are saying that a replacement 3rd stage booster section was seen being ferried in on Satruday.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Saturday.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Devils Asst.

I think you are right, they will wait till the world looses interest, then the rocket will be swallowed into the earth by a giant trap door, and NK will state that they successfully launched at such blinding speeds that the inferior capitalist technology couldn't even track the rocket.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

South Korea is about to have a presidential election. I wonder now this is impacting that. (Hawks vs. Doves.) Unlike Japan, they are technically at war with the North.

The TBS news this morning said that nothing is being reported about this within North Korea. IF if fails, nothing will be announced. If it goes well, it'll be all over the place as evidence of the prowess of their new dear leaderling. I'd imagine that they'll make a go of it a day or two in advance of the anniversary of KimJongIl's death, with some consideration for the weather. It will definitely need to happen by that anniversary or there isn't much point.

At any rate, Japan is certainly not the only country preparing to shoot down a stray missle or debris.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

-Meh, if NK was planning on attacking Japan or any other country I don't think they would have gone through the trouble of reporting it to the UN and world media beforehand.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

they are aiming to reach the US primarily, this is just a missile test in disguise. the real attack or attempt will of course not be reported.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Because of the military alliance and the concerns over the possible launch, the US has sent 2 of it's 3 (First time for this too) Cobra Ball specially fitted airplanes that can detect missile launches like this, to Kadena and they are flying 24 hour coverage.

You know it's nice to see the anti-us military in Japan folks quiet here for once.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There is nothing to gain from attacking Japan, there is lots to gain from posturing on both sides.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

There is nothing to gain from attacking Japan, there is lots to gain from posturing on both sides.

This isn't an expected attack. NK is supposedly testing out a missile, nothing more, nothing less.

However if it enters Japanese airspace they will attempt to shoot it down.

Odd are pretty high however that it will be just like the last time (hopefully) and the missile with self destruct within minutes (or moments) of launch.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Odd are pretty high however that it will be just like the last time (hopefully) and the missile with self destruct within minutes (or moments) of launch.

on the contrary it appears that NK is more confident this time and chances of failure may be 0.01% - Anyway, let's wait till 29th Dec.,2012

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well, the south has failed constantly & repeatedly in recent years to put a satellite in space - what makes you think the north will be better at what the south will do? They would be close to half a century (well, maybe 20-30 years) behind in tech.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Who is financing this missile? There is any country that are less worried with it?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Iran

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hopefully, it will go up and fall back down on its own territory!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And the Norks are giving Japan Yet another Reason to militarize. Not very bright, the Norks.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

tokyo-star: "Iran".

Yes, that makes sense.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

why would north Korea be worried about foreign allies of japan. As long as they get China they are good. America would more than likely not want to get into a war with China. They hold to much of their economy. South Korea and Japan wouldn't be able to match China and North Korea's power as they are right now.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Whatever is motivating NK to attempt this launch I very much doubt that they care about what the rest of the world thinks. China has probably given them the "go-ahead" in private while saying the opposite in public. As long as China supports what NK does then NK can get away with it.

BTW, if you look at where Iran got a lot of it's missile tech from it's Pakistan, courtesy of China. China is one of the worst proliforators of nuke tech the world over. I guess they figure that as long as the rest of the world is worried about other things - like NK - they can push the neighbors around.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Aaaah.... I am really looking forward to those times after the next election. When the really good guys take over again... How did that old saying go? "May you live in intersting times."

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

You are right, interesting times again. After the election, we can look forward to another quick election.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

gelendestrasse, yes, and if you look at where Iran got its nuclear tech you'll find evidence of large numbers of NK engineers and advisors there. They go where they are wanted.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The missile starts a lot closer to China than Japan! If it makes it anywhere near mainland Japan it would have to cross South Korea first. If it goes straight south, towards Okinawa and Taiwan, it stays pretty damn close to China.

Best outcome would be a bad trajectory and China needing to shoot it down over open water before it landed on them. Of course, then nationalists and militarists could claim it had actually been planned that way and was a Chinese anti-missile defense test.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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