South Korea mulls next steps against nuclear-armed North

[webfact]

South Korea mulls next steps against nuclear-armed North
By KIM TONG-HYUNG

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Furious about North Korea's recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch, South Korea vows to hit back hard and says the shutdown of a jointly run factory park in the North will only be the start.

But what's next for Seoul as it looks to make its nuclear-armed northern neighbor hurt?

Some experts say South Korea's leverage began shrinking when it shut the industrial complex in Kaesong, North Korea, the last major symbol of cooperation between the rivals.

But other ways South Korea can pressure the North are being discussed.


A look at some of them:

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MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS

In response to North Korea's recent locket launch, Washington and Seoul have begun preparatory talks on deploying an advanced U.S. missile defense system in South Korea, despite opposition from Beijing.

Seoul says the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system would be intended to destroy North Korean missiles targeting the South. But China is worried the system could allow U.S. radars to spot missiles in its territory.

There is debate in Seoul about whether having the system is worth the fallout from angering China, South Korea's biggest trading partner.

THAAD is designed to intercept incoming targets at high altitudes midflight. The system would be useless against North Korean short-range missiles that fly at lower altitudes, and which pose the biggest immediate threat to South Korea because they could be fired quickly from mobile launchers.

Still, it would be meaningful for Seoul, which has been developing its own missile defense system to counter the North's shorter-range arsenal, to acquire multiple layers of protection as Pyongyang continues to diversify its weaponry, said Jin Moo Kim, an analyst at the government-funded Korea Institute for Defense Analysis.

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TIGHTENING PORT CONTROLS

The Kaesong complex, created in 2004 during a period of rapprochement between the rivals, was the lone exception when South Korea banned all southern trade and investment to North Korea in 2010 in retaliation for the sinking of a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors.

Seoul had already stopped joint tours to North Korea's scenic Diamond Mountain resort two years earlier, following the shooting death of a South Korean tourist by a North Korean guard.

With Kaesong now gone, perhaps for good, the last meaningful non-military option the South could take against the North would be prohibiting third-country commercial vessels from entering South Korean ports if they had previously visited North Korea, analysts say. It is unclear, however, how badly this could hurt the North.

Japan after the recent rocket launch declared a complete ban on visits by North Korean ships to Japan, something the South already does at its ports.

Experts say any new measures against North Korea need the backing of China, the North's last major political ally and by far its largest trade partner. Beijing is seen as protecting the North over fears of provoking a collapse in Pyongyang and a stream of refugees across their border.

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SOUTH KOREAN NUKES?

It's difficult to imagine South Korea acquiring its own nuclear weapons to counter the North Korean threat. But the idea has entered the political debate.

Won Yoo Chul, the floor leader of President Park Geun-hye's Saenuri Party, told Parliament on Monday that the time has come for South Korea to start considering the pursuit of its own nuclear weapons program, echoing some media outlets.

Won also says the United States should bring back the tactical nuclear weapons it withdrew from South Korea in the early 1990s.

The conservative Chosun Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial last month that it's inevitable the South should begin discussions on acquiring nuclear weapons.

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CUTTING AID

South Korea in previous standoffs has maintained humanitarian aid to the impoverished North, including food and fertilizer shipments. It has also supported programs by international organizations to help North Korean children and the needy.

Seoul now seems no longer willing to continue such aid.

Jeong Joon-Hee, a spokesman for Seoul's Unification Ministry, told reporters Wednesday that a temporary suspension of humanitarian exchanges is inevitable considering the severity of the North Korean threat.

South Korea has sent more than $3 billion in government and civilian aid to the North since the mid-1990s, according to President Park's office.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-02-18

[lovelomsak]

Can anyone tell me why South Korea feels it is their job to police North Korea? Or is South Korea just the front nation for America.Or puppet should we say. What other country in the world gets upset and wants to dictate to their neighbour what to do.

What would America do if Mexico and Canada got upset with America, over their arms increase or development. And ask Russia or China to assist. Would America look at it as we deserve that?Not likely.

[djlest]

Well if Mexico made a H Bomb im pretty sure America would be on high alert and feeling threatened... The same if France did or Germany... The same as if your Thai neighbour suddenly starts building a semtex plant next door... you cant really relax about that, then add the fact that the leader is a psychotic loon... enuff said...

[elgordo38]

Can anyone tell me why South Korea feels it is their job to police North Korea? Or is South Korea just the front nation for America.Or puppet should we say. What other country in the world gets upset and wants to dictate to their neighbour what to do.

What would America do if Mexico and Canada got upset with America, over their arms increase or development. And ask Russia or China to assist. Would America look at it as we deserve that?Not likely.

If Cruz is president Mexico and Canada would be carpet bombed simple. No its not the south's job to police Korea but having a insane dictator banging his war drums next door is kind of scary. This guy is just itching for a war to take his people's minds off the fact that they are sacrificing their all for an insane missile program. They also launched a so called satellite. They should prioritize their efforts at home not putting up useless satellites that tumble around in that big junkyard in outer space. Even the Americans in time were smart enough to realize that slavery was wrong and fought a war to eliminate it. I have a sneaking suspicion this is what is required now. North Korea only runs out from under China's skirts and rattles its sabre and then rushs back again to hide knowing the China will never let it be invaded its the Korean war all over again. If China had not come to their rescue they would have had their head handed to them on a silver platter.

Edited February 18, 2016 by elgordo38

[Redline]

Can anyone tell me why South Korea feels it is their job to police North Korea? Or is South Korea just the front nation for America.Or puppet should we say. What other country in the world gets upset and wants to dictate to their neighbour what to do.

What would America do if Mexico and Canada got upset with America, over their arms increase or development. And ask Russia or China to assist. Would America look at it as we deserve that?Not likely.

It may serve you well to brush up on your world history. Although, if you're a Communist, or wanna be dictator, I understand your views.

[Norvid 1950]

The only way for this marshal psychopath to stay in power is to brainwash all its people and keep them under constant tread of war with America. This way he can blame anybody and liquidate them from potential rivalry. He creates a legend like his grandfather and father. A semi-god for all North Koreans. Truth is his and only his. He knows whats good and whats bad and everybody is afraid, and everybody clap their hands for their leader a brain twisted maniac-killer.

[connda]

Wait for another 5.4 Magnitude earthquake and act all excited again?

[Dumbastheycome]

Ah ! The thot plickens. So the USA is offering to install a missile system that is mostly ineffective against N Korea's capability but under the guise that it is.

Who wrote this plot and who is the Director of the unfolding drama series !

In every direction antagonism is being esculated by all sides in reality!

Nobody realizes that voting for mostly puppet politicions distracts the majority away from the puppet masters.

[TeaMonkey]

My Dad used to say 'always fight fire with fire'..... which is probably why he got thrown out of the the fire brigade.

[lovelomsak]

Can anyone tell me why South Korea feels it is their job to police North Korea? Or is South Korea just the front nation for America.Or puppet should we say. What other country in the world gets upset and wants to dictate to their neighbour what to do.

What would America do if Mexico and Canada got upset with America, over their arms increase or development. And ask Russia or China to assist. Would America look at it as we deserve that?Not likely.

If Cruz is president Mexico and Canada would be carpet bombed simple. No its not the south's job to police Korea but having a insane dictator banging his war drums next door is kind of scary. This guy is just itching for a war to take his people's minds off the fact that they are sacrificing their all for an insane missile program. They also launched a so called satellite. They should prioritize their efforts at home not putting up useless satellites that tumble around in that big junkyard in outer space. Even the Americans in time were smart enough to realize that slavery was wrong and fought a war to eliminate it. I have a sneaking suspicion this is what is required now. North Korea only runs out from under China's skirts and rattles its sabre and then rushs back again to hide knowing the China will never let it be invaded its the Korean war all over again. If China had not come to their rescue they would have had their head handed to them on a silver platter.

Speaking of China. What would be said if China they were against such a show of power so close to country? Similar to the Philippine issue, America has with china? So you are suggesting if Canada or Mexico complained to America they do not like a neighbour who is constantly building their military power that America would simply annihilate the two countries. Who wants a neighbour like that. America would really show the world how they care about no one just smoke and mirrors.So America isnot there to help but there to crush and intimidate have I got this right now.

So America's way is the the only way right.

When America says jump. you ask how high on the way up. If you do not then bend over and take it .Either way up to you.

Edited February 20, 2016 by lovelomsak