High Tension

“North Korea warned the United States, Japan and their allies not to interfere with its plan to launch a satellite into space next month.” (USA Today)

Next month, we all are waiting for it. NK…feared to be testing missile which could hit Alaska or even the West Coast of USA. Launch of Taepodong-2 is only a matter of days…

I think the tension between NK and SK is now extremely high. According to sources there are now up to 200 000 NK soldiers on the border. On the other side there are 25 000-30 000 SK and US soldiers.

Interesting spring anyway.

Kim Jong-un Not on List

“Kim Jong-un, the third son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and possible successor to his father, was not named as a delegate to the Supreme People’s Assembly. The list of 687 new delegates to the SPA was announced on Monday. “Rumors about Kim Jong-un’s appointment as the successor will probably die down for the time being,” said a Unification Ministry official.“ (Chosun)

Who’s actually leading NK?
Rhetoric rise ≈ internal power game…

Powering Politics

“South Korea told North Korea to retract its “inhumane” threats against civilian air traffic, after the North said it could not guarantee security for Seoul’s flights near its territory.“ (AFP)

Situation on the Korean Peninsula is getting worse. I’m not sure about the truth behind NK’s rhetoric…anyway, this is a new step in the Cold War 2.0.

After NK’s warning on Thursday SK’s Korean Air and Asiana re-routed flights.

As you may know, NK bomb killed 115 people on a Korean Air flight in 1987. In 1983 a soviet fighter shot down a Korean Air jet (269 killed).

SK’s government urged NK to withdraw military threats against civil airplanes saying that it “not only violates international rules but is also an inhumane act that can never be justified.”

Unfortunately tensions between NK and SK are getting higher.

Now:
NK: preparing a rocket test
SK&US: military drills

Oh, power politics.

News from…

If you’re interested in rhetoric check KCNA site.

KCNA (The Korean Central News Agency) is the news agency of NK – founded in 1946. KCNA has been online since 1996 (?). Its web server is located in Japan.

~ something directly from NK. A rhetorician loves this: KCNA

Ready For Everything

“The DPRK (NK) isn’t afraid of any sanctions that might follow the launch, the spokesman said, adding the nation was ready for everything.“ (XNA – Xinhua News Agency)

NK announced plans to launch a satellite. US and SK believe that it’s just a provocative test (against US & SK). NK has stepped up its hostile rhetoric – especially against SK.

NK has used words “right to space development” when it wants to disguise a missile test. In 1998 NK test-fired a ballistic missile over Japan and later NK claimed that it was just a part of “space development”…a satellite.

This “satellite” might be a version of NK’s most advanced missile.

United Nation’s Security Council has condemned NK’s missile tests (NK’s first-ever nuclear test was in 2006 – rumours circulated in 2005 and early 2006).

NK has also said that it’s “fully ready” for war.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned NK that launching would jeopardise better relations.

Ye, it’s hostile rhetoric against SK but it can also be a way to get Obama’s attention.

Morning Star King

“South Korean intelligence forces believe it is likely that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will hand over power to his son, ensuring a third generation of Kims at the head of the Stalinist autocracy.“ (Chosun)

“Morning Star King” aka Kim Jong-Woon aka Kim Jung-Woon aka Kim Jong-un was born probably in 1983. He’s the youngest son of Kim Jong-il. NK claims that Kim Jong-un’s character is just like his father’s. According to this information/rumour future negotiations will be difficult. Anyway, Kim Jong-un also loves German cars and sushi; Maybe Kim Jong-un likes Japan more than Kim Jong-il.