North Korea diplomat says take atmospheric nuclear test threat 'literally'

[webfact]

North Korea diplomat says take atmospheric nuclear test threat 'literally'

 

REFILE - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides guidance with Ri Hong Sop (2nd L) and Hong Sung Mu (R) on a nuclear weapons program in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang September 3, 2017. KCNA via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The recent warning from North Korea's foreign minister of a possible atmospheric nuclear test over the Pacific Ocean should be taken literally, a senior North Korean official told CNN in an interview aired on Wednesday.

 

"The foreign minister is very well aware of the intentions of our supreme leader, so I think you should take his words literally," Ri Yong Pil, a senior diplomat in North Korea's Foreign Ministry, told CNN.

 

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said last month Pyongyang may consider conducting "the most powerful detonation" of a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean amid rising tensions with the United States.

 

The minister made the comment after President Donald Trump warned that North Korea, which has been working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States, would be totally destroyed if it threatened America.

 

CIA chief Mike Pompeo said last week that North Korea could be only months away from gaining the ability to hit the United States with nuclear weapons.

 

Experts say an atmospheric test would be a way of demonstrating that capability. All of North Korea's previous nuclear tests have been conducted underground.

 

Trump next week will make a visit to Asia during which he will highlight his campaign to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programs.

 

Despite the bellicose rhetoric, White House officials say Trump is looking for a peaceful resolution of the standoff. But all options, including military ones, are on the table.

 

The U.S. Navy said on Wednesday a third aircraft carrier strike group was now sailing in the Asia-Pacific region, joining two other carriers, the Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt.

 

Navy officials said the Nimitz, which was previously carrying out operations in support of the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, would be ready to support operations in the region before heading back to its home port. It said the movement had been long planned.

 

A leading South Korea opposition figure, Hong Jun-pyo, head of the conservative Liberty Korea Party, told Reuters in Washington on Wednesday he backed Trump's tough stance.

 

Hong said he had met with members of Congress and the administration and told them a majority of South Koreans wanted U.S. tactical nuclear weapons, which were withdrawn from the Korean peninsula in 1992, returned, or for South Korea to develop a nuclear capability of its own.

 

"The only way to deal with the situation is by having a nuclear balance between the North and the South," said Hong, the runner-up in South Korea's 2017 presidential election.

 

Reintroducing nuclear weapons remains unlikely, not least because it would undermine demands from Seoul and Washington for North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs.

 

Trump spoke during his election campaign about the possibility of South Korea and Japan acquiring nuclear weapons, but administration officials have played down the remarks and given no indication of any plan to redeploy tactical weapons.

 

On Wednesday, Trump was asked whether he would visit the tense demilitarized zone dividing North and South Korea during his Asia tour and responded enigmatically.

 

"I’d rather not say, but you’ll be surprised," he told reporters.

 

(Reporting by David Alexander, David Brunnstrom and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by James Dalgleish and Tom Brown)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-10-26

[phantomfiddler]

That,s our air he is going to be polluting with radiation ! This sickening little creep really needs to be taken care of.

[craigt3365]

7 minutes ago, phantomfiddler said:

That,s our air he is going to be polluting with radiation ! This sickening little creep really needs to be taken care of.

That might have already happened.  I'm amazed China isn't doing more to stop this.  One mistake and their country is in big trouble.

 

http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/10/08/north-korea-earthquake-nuclear-test-rivers.cnn

Quote

Nuclear test leaves Chinese city shaken

 

[klauskunkel]

His Oversized Astuteness providing guidance:

 

Kim: "Why does it look like a rice cooker?!?"

Quaking Official: "We are in the cafeteria, Your Worshipness. The bomb is in the next room."

 

 

 

[ThaiFelix]

From whom does the USA request permission for its nuclear program/testing.....the sheer arrogance!!

[craigt3365]

1 minute ago, ThaiFelix said:

From whom does the USA request permission for its nuclear program/testing.....the sheer arrogance!!

Nobody.  As they are abiding by the comprehensive test ban treaty and have not tested a nuclear weapon since 1992.  India and Pakistan last tested in 1998.  Only NK has tested since then.  Now threatening to test one over the pacific ocean.  The fallout would have catastrophic consequences.

 

Get your facts straight. 

 

[sirmud63]

bellicose rhetoric ?  you mean media bullsh#t.

[hawker9000]

53 minutes ago, ThaiFelix said:

From whom does the USA request permission for its nuclear program/testing.....the sheer arrogance!!

From whom do you order your meds?     .....the sheer ignorance.

 

Here's a clue, genius:  the U.S. hasn't conducted a nuclear test in a quarter century (since it signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, 1992), and THAT was underground, not atmospheric, testing.  China and France conducted THEIR last nuclear tests in 1996.  

 

But please do go on with your Ameriphobics.  The mindlessness IS kind of entertaining in a Laurel & Hardy kind of a way, but the meds really might help you relax a little and provide you a little calm from that delusional fear and all-consuming hate of everything American.

 

 

[craigt3365]

5 minutes ago, BuaBS said:

US and France have tested 1000 nukes in the pacific .... spreading particles all over the world.

But it would be a stupid move by NK to do so .

Better test it above the atmosfeer over lets say .. mmm , the US ?

Not good for sure.  No nuclear test is good.  Many tests were done in Nevada, where I use to live.  They are still dealing with the consequences of that to this day.  A disaster potentially waiting to happen due to ground water contamination.

 

Why would you suggest to hurt innocent civilians in the US.  Absolutely horrible thing to post.

[Thaidream]

The US has ended testing decades ago and has never tested again- They have abided by all international agreements regarding such a matter. The goal is to stop any country from becoming a nuclear power-  remember- the US nuclear weapon was developed as a result of World War II and to counter the Soviet Union which was seen by Europe as a direct threat to its security. For that reason, the UK and France also developed nuclear weapons.

Some posters refuse to acknowledge history and base their arguments solely on their dislike of America. NKorea is a clear and present danger to the World and if it tests a nuclear weapon over the Pacific- fallout threatens several countries. You might want to decide if such a narcissistic and selfish act dictates a response. Mr Kim- dictator of NKorea hasn't shown much of a history of benevolent behavior especially since he murdered some of his own family members.

[Thaidream]

 Anyone who would advocate a nuclear test over another country is morally bankrupt. Such hate is abnormal.

[Fore Man]

I hate to say or even consider this, but...to put it succinctly:

 

”Nuke ‘em, Danno!”

 

Diplomatic efforts will not likely succeed in bringing about a softening of the nK’s hard-line stance on building and maintaining nuclear weapons. Since 1953, the Kim Dynasty has played the West in the manner of master puppeteers, continually drawing a succession of lines in the sand and forcing massive concessions in foreign aid money that never produced any productive results, at the same time spreading its sinister industries and nefarious deeds throughout the world. 

 

I’m no clairvoyant, but the insidious threats posed by the churlish and unpredictable Kim Junior must be stopped...and sooner than later.  The only way this seems possible would be to flatten his country with immediate, comprehensive and perfectly-orchestrated retaliatory strikes if and when he launches...or heaven forbid...succeeds in detonating his threatened North Pacific air burst. Prior to such an endangering test, it is unlikely the US would attack preemptively, but given sufficient provocation, the hermit kingdom, its people and its nutcase leadership could be transformed into radioactive toast in a matter of hours. This could very likely be accomplished not with regionally destructive, high megatonnage strategic nukes but with synchronized volleys of tactical nuclear weapons, perhaps in the order of 500 kilotons to 1 megaton,  simultaneously striking key targets throughout the nation so as to deny the enemy any ability to respond. In doing so, the downwind radioactive threats to South Korea and Japan could be minimized.  Simultaneously, massive coordinated strikes of conventional weapons could be employed in the vicinity of the DMZ and Sino-Russian border areas that minimize nuclear effects in neighboring countries, but convincingly destroying nK ground assault forces and their highly lethal supporting arms.

 

The fallout of any war plan, pun well intended, is how the surviving peoples of the north can move forward, rebuild anew and flourish over time in a life without a cruel dictatorship ruling over them. Such a reconstruction would be an enormous burden on the ROK, the US and the world community.  You can bet that it is not only the prosecution of war that worries US and allied planners, but indeed in dealing with the aftermath. Removing the longstanding buffer zone between the US and China would create yet another geopolitical dilemma. 

 

No matter how it sorts out, one truth looms over us: that we can not tolerate a rogue northeast Asian tyrant any longer, who is freely allowed to threaten the safety and future of many other nations within his rapidly expanding nuclear capability. 

 

There is no easy solution...but there is a solution.

Edited October 26, 2017 by Fore Man
Correct typos

[baboon]

8 minutes ago, Fore Man said:

I hate to say or even consider this, but...to put it succinctly:

 

”Nuke ‘em, Danno!”

 

Diplomatic efforts will not likely succeed in bringing about a softening of the nK’s hard-line stance on building and maintaining nuclear weapons. Since 1953, the Kim Dynasty has played the West in the manner of master puppeteers, drawing continual lines in the sand and forcing massive concessions in foreign aid money that never produced any productive results, at the same time spreading its sinister industries and nefarious deeds throughout the world. 

 

I’m no clairvoyant, but the insidious threats posed by the churlish and unpredictable Kim Junior must be stopped...and sooner than later.  The only way this seems possible would be to flatten his country with immediate, comprehensive and perfectly-orchestrated retaliatory strikes if and when he launches...or heaven forbid...succeeds in detonating his threatened North Pacific air burst. Prior to such an endangering test, It is unlikely the US will attack preemptively, but given sufficient provocation, the hermit kingdom, its people and its nutcase leadership could be transformed into radioactive toast in a matter of hours. This could very likely be accomplished not with regionally destructive, high megatonnage strategic nukes but with synchronized volleys of tactical nuclear weapons, perhaps in the order of 500 kilotons to 1 megaton,  simultaneously striking key targets throughout the nation so as to deny the enemy any ability to respond. In doing so, the downwind radioactive threats to South Korea and Japan could be minimized.  Simultaneously, massive coordinated strikes of conventional weapons could be employed in the vicinity of the DMZ and Russo-Chinese border areas that minimize nuclear effects in neighboring countries, but convincingly destroying nK ground assault forces and their highly lethal  supporting arms.

 

The fallout of any war plan, pun intended, is how the surviving peoples of the north can move forward, rebuild anew and flourish over time in a life without a cruel dictatorship reigning over them. Such a reconstruction would be an enormous burden on the ROK, the US and the world community.  You can bet that it is not only the prosecution of war that worries US and allied planners, but indeed in dealing with the aftermath. Removing the longstanding buffer zone between the US and China would create yet another geopolitical dilemma. 

 

No matter how it sorts out, one truth looms over us: that we can not tolerate a rogue northeast Asian tyrant any longer, who is freely allowed to threaten the safety and future of many other nations within his rapidly expanding nuclear capability. 

So you want to destroy another country with nuclear weapons to demonstrate how bad nuclear weapons are? Sounds to me rather like killing puppies as a retaliation against animal cruelty.

[craigt3365]

6 minutes ago, baboon said:

So you want to destroy another country with nuclear weapons to demonstrate how bad nuclear weapons are? Sounds to me rather like killing puppies as a retaliation against animal cruelty.

Sadly, that may be the only option.  Not a good one, but better than allowing a dictator the ability to wipe out surrounding countries.  No easy answers here due to NK's actions over the past decades.

[baboon]

2 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Sadly, that may be the only option.  Not a good one, but better than allowing a dictator the ability to wipe out surrounding countries.  No easy answers here due to NK's actions over the past decades.

Tell that to the countless millions of innocent people WE would be wiping out. I am sure that if you include the word "sadly" they won't feel too badly about it. After all, they will be exterminated by the good guys' bombs.

[Krataiboy]

17 minutes ago, Fore Man said:

I hate to say or even consider this, but...to put it succinctly:

 

”Nuke ‘em, Danno!”

 

Diplomatic efforts will not likely succeed in bringing about a softening of the nK’s hard-line stance on building and maintaining nuclear weapons. Since 1953, the Kim Dynasty has played the West in the manner of master puppeteers, continually drawing a succession of lines in the sand and forcing massive concessions in foreign aid money that never produced any productive results, at the same time spreading its sinister industries and nefarious deeds throughout the world. 

 

I’m no clairvoyant, but the insidious threats posed by the churlish and unpredictable Kim Junior must be stopped...and sooner than later.  The only way this seems possible would be to flatten his country with immediate, comprehensive and perfectly-orchestrated retaliatory strikes if and when he launches...or heaven forbid...succeeds in detonating his threatened North Pacific air burst. Prior to such an endangering test, it is unlikely the US would attack preemptively, but given sufficient provocation, the hermit kingdom, its people and its nutcase leadership could be transformed into radioactive toast in a matter of hours. This could very likely be accomplished not with regionally destructive, high megatonnage strategic nukes but with synchronized volleys of tactical nuclear weapons, perhaps in the order of 500 kilotons to 1 megaton,  simultaneously striking key targets throughout the nation so as to deny the enemy any ability to respond. In doing so, the downwind radioactive threats to South Korea and Japan could be minimized.  Simultaneously, massive coordinated strikes of conventional weapons could be employed in the vicinity of the DMZ and Sino-Russian border areas that minimize nuclear effects in neighboring countries, but convincingly destroying nK ground assault forces and their highly lethal supporting arms.

 

The fallout of any war plan, pun well intended, is how the surviving peoples of the north can move forward, rebuild anew and flourish over time in a life without a cruel dictatorship ruling over them. Such a reconstruction would be an enormous burden on the ROK, the US and the world community.  You can bet that it is not only the prosecution of war that worries US and allied planners, but indeed in dealing with the aftermath. Removing the longstanding buffer zone between the US and China would create yet another geopolitical dilemma. 

 

No matter how it sorts out, one truth looms over us: that we can not tolerate a rogue northeast Asian tyrant any longer, who is freely allowed to threaten the safety and future of many other nations within his rapidly expanding nuclear capability. 

Stick to golf. At least you'll have a bunker handy when Trump takes your advice and the balloon goes up.

[craigt3365]

3 minutes ago, baboon said:

Tell that to the countless millions of innocent people WE would be wiping out. I am sure that if you include the word "sadly" they won't feel too badly about it. After all, they will be exterminated by the good guys' bombs.

Again, down to the actions of one person.  Kim.  He's the only one with the power to stop this.  But he's been persecuting his people for years.  And his predecessors have been doing the same for decades.  No easy answers due to this family.  And in the end, innocent people suffer just so he can stay in power.

[Fore Man]

3 minutes ago, baboon said:

Tell that to the countless millions of innocent people WE would be wiping out. I am sure that if you include the word "sadly" they won't feel too badly about it. After all, they will be exterminated by the good guys' bombs.

I realize you are a DPRK enthusiast, and seem to side with a rogue nation conducting nuclear blackmail, but if you insist on using puppies ( in your earlier post #16) to illustrate your thoughts, perhaps you’ve heard the old saw about how to deal with rabid dogs...

[baboon]

1 minute ago, craigt3365 said:

Again, down to the actions of one person.  Kim.  He's the only one with the power to stop this.  But he's been persecuting his people for years.  And his predecessors have been doing the same for decades.  No easy answers due to this family.  And in the end, innocent people suffer just so he can stay in power.

If the West preemptively attacks the DPRK, the innocent people you are so worried about will be dead. Dead. This would be our fault.

[digger70]

Well  every one keeps stirring  up NK ....What would you do if they keep stirring you? I would do same as NK, Getting ready  to kick ass.Leave them alone. Don't stir shit ,They won't Nuke the US  unless the US starts First.

[baboon]

1 minute ago, Fore Man said:

I realize you are a DPRK enthusiast, and seem to side with a rogue nation conducting nuclear blackmail, but if you insist on using puppies ( in your earlier post #16) to illustrate your thoughts, perhaps you’ve heard the old saw about how to deal with rabid dogs...

I side with any country's right to defend themselves as they see fit. Any country possessing nuclear weapons is undesirable, but if it is good for one, it is good for another.

[craigt3365]

2 minutes ago, baboon said:

If the West preemptively attacks the DPRK, the innocent people you are so worried about will be dead. Dead. This would be our fault.

How did we get here?  Can't blame the West for that.  Fault lies with NK's leader.  Place the blame properly.

 

I don't see Norway, Argentina, Namibia, Uzbekistan, etc, etc, etc, in the same situation.  This is all due to Kim and his family and their desire to stay in power.

 

As I've said before, amazing you support them so much. 

[Fore Man]

1 minute ago, baboon said:

If the West preemptively attacks the DPRK, the innocent people you are so worried about will be dead. Dead. This would be our fault.

Sorry, Mr.Baboon, but I’d much rather see mass graves and smoking embers in North Korea than in my own homeland, a nation containing a thirteen-fold populace.  I may be a selfish, cold-hearted patriot but at least I’m a realist. 

[craigt3365]

3 minutes ago, digger70 said:

Well  every one keeps stirring  up NK ....What would you do if they keep stirring you? I would do same as NK, Getting ready  to kick ass.Leave them alone. Don't stir shit ,They won't Nuke the US  unless the US starts First.

And how do you know that?  Can you guarantee that?  Impossible.

 

Nuclear blackmail at it's worst.

[baboon]

2 minutes ago, digger70 said:

Well  every one keeps stirring  up NK ....What would you do if they keep stirring you? I would do same as NK, Getting ready  to kick ass.Leave them alone. Don't stir shit ,They won't Nuke the US  unless the US starts First.

Let us just hope that sane heads prevail the way they always have in the past and ALL nukes stay in their silos.

[Happy Grumpy]

It's in the Western media so must be completely believable. 

 

 

More WMD stories..... just start another war that makes you costs you trillions of dollars and stop fannying about. 

[craigt3365]

3 minutes ago, baboon said:

I side with any country's right to defend themselves as they see fit. Any country possessing nuclear weapons is undesirable, but if it is good for one, it is good for another.

A nuclear weapon isn't a defensive weapon.  It's used for first strikes.  If they are hit first, probably won't be anything left.  And they've got limited abilities to tell if a weapon has been launched at them.

 

This is first strike.  And nuclear blackmail.  Plain and simple.

[baboon]

1 minute ago, craigt3365 said:

How did we get here?  Can't blame the West for that.  Fault lies with NK's leader.  Place the blame properly.

 

I don't see Norway, Argentina, Namibia, Uzbekistan, etc, etc, etc, in the same situation.  This is all due to Kim and his family and their desire to stay in power.

 

As I've said before, amazing you support them so much. 

I don't see any of the above countries on the US hawks shit list. We did see India and Pakistan in the same situation but conveniently chose to mutter disapprovingly but ultimately ignore it.

[smutcakes]

21 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Sadly, that may be the only option.  Not a good one, but better than allowing a dictator the ability to wipe out surrounding countries.  No easy answers here due to NK's actions over the past decades.

You are off your rocker. You are really suggesting the US use nuclear force on NK? Something 6000 miles away from them? Why cant the US just leave it to the China, Russia, Japan, South Korea to leave it to. Thank God i have not got family in SK if you were in any position of power. Easy for you to make these suggestions from 1000's of miles away.

[Fore Man]

4 minutes ago, baboon said:

Let us just hope that sane heads prevail the way they always have in the past and ALL nukes stay in their silos.

I can agree with you there, Baboon. Nukes on the fly are a terrible specter indeed, no matter the provocation.