North Korea calls Trump's warning a 'load of nonsense'

[webfact]

North Korea calls Trump's warning a 'load of nonsense'

By Doina Chiacu, Idrees Ali and Christine Kim

 

Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers fly from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for a 10-hour mission, with an escort of a pair of Japan Self-Defense Forces F-2 fighter jets in the vicinity of Kyushu, Japan August 8, 2017. U.S. Air Force/Handout via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea is working on plans for a missile strike near the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, calling President Donald Trump's warning of "fire and fury" a "load of nonsense" and that only "absolute force can work on him."

 

Pyongyang's state-run KCNA news agency issued an update on its strike plans after Trump's incendiary comments on Tuesday that threats to the United States from Pyongyang would be met with "fire and fury."

 

Trump's unexpected remarks prompted North Korea to say it was considering plans to fire four intermediate-range missiles to land 30-40 kilometers (18-25 miles) from Guam, home to about 163,000 people and a U.S. military base that includes a submarine squadron, an air base and a Coast Guard group.

 

The army will complete its plans in mid-August, ready for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's order, KCNA said on Wednesday, citing General Kim Rak Gyom, commander of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army.

 

The news agency said Trump "let out a load of nonsense about 'fire and fury'," adding "sound dialogue is not possible with such a guy bereft of reason and only absolute force can work on him."

 

On global markets, the strong rhetoric and sharp increase in tensions drove investors out of stocks and other risky assets on Wednesday and into textbook safe havens like gold and Treasuries.

 

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis issued a stark warning earlier on Wednesday, telling Pyongyang the United States and its allies would win any arms race or conflict.

 

"The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people," Mattis said in a statement, using the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

 

The United States and South Korea remain technically still at war with North Korea after the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce, not a peace treaty. North Korea regularly threatens to destroy the United States.

 

BOASTS ABOUT POWER

 

Tension in the region has risen since North Korea carried out two nuclear bomb tests last year and two intercontinental ballistic missile tests in July. Trump has said he will not allow Pyongyang to develop a nuclear weapon capable of hitting the United States.

On Wednesday, Trump followed up his "fire and fury" warning with a boast about U.S. nuclear capabilities.

 

"My first order as President was to renovate and modernize our nuclear arsenal. It is now far stronger and more powerful than ever before," Trump tweeted. "Hopefully we will never have to use this power, but there will never be a time that we are not the most powerful nation in the world!"

 

Trump's "fire and fury" remarks prompted warnings from U.S. officials and analysts not to engage in rhetorical games with Pyongyang.

 

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was in Guam on a previously scheduled visit, played down the rhetoric, saying he did not believe there was an imminent threat from North Korea and "Americans should sleep well at night."

 

Trump's "fire and fury" warning was meant to send a "strong message to North Korea in language that (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un would understand, because he doesn't seem to understand diplomatic language," Tillerson said.

 

GUAM THREAT

 

Earlier on Wednesday, Guam Governor Eddie Calvo dismissed the threat and said the island was prepared for "any eventuality" with strategically placed defenses. He said he had been in touch with the White House and there was no change in the threat level.

 

North Korea, pursuing missile and nuclear weapons programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions, accuses the Washington of devising a "preventive war" and has said any plans to execute this would be met with an "all-out war, wiping out all the strongholds of enemies, including the U.S. mainland."

 

Washington has warned it is ready to use force if needed to stop North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programs but that it prefers global diplomatic action, including sanctions. The U.N. Security Council unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea on Saturday.

 

U.S military officials played down the potential for military conflict. Three U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States had not moved additional assets into the region after North Korea's threats against Guam.

 

    "Just because the rhetoric goes up, doesn't mean our posture changes," one official said. "The only time our posture goes up is based on facts, not because of what Kim and Trump say to each other," the official added.

 

While Trump said the nuclear arsenal was more powerful than ever before, U.S. officials say it takes decades to actually modernize nuclear weapons. Trump signed an executive order in January to initiate a review of the country's nuclear policy.

 

"COMPLEX AND SENSITIVE"

 

A senior administration official who deals with the Korea issue said the "fire and fury" comment, which was Trump's strongest warning yet for North Korea, was "unplanned and spontaneous.”

 

"There had not been any discussions about escalating the rhetoric in response to Kim’s statements or about the possible effects of doing that," the official said.

 

But White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters national security officials had been aware of the tone of Trump's message before he gave it.

 

"The words were his own. The tone and strength of the message were discussed beforehand," Sanders said.

 

Critics included fellow Republican John McCain, head of the Armed Forces Committee in the U.S. Senate, who said Trump should tread cautiously. "You've got to be sure you can do what you say you’re going to do," McCain said in a radio interview.

 

Democratic Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the committee, said Trump's words were counterproductive. "Defusing the North Korea threat will take smart, steady leadership and stronger diplomatic ties with our key allies," Reed said.

 

Republican Senator Cory Gardner said the administration needed to lean on China, North Korea's closest ally, using sanctions. "It’s time to hold China accountable for their refusal to shut off trade with North Korea," Gardner said.

 

China, despite its anger at Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs, described the situation as "complex and sensitive," and urged calm and a return to talks.

 

"China calls on all sides to uphold the main direction of a political resolution to the Korean peninsula nuclear issue, and avoid any words or actions that may intensify the problem and escalate the situation," the government said in a statement sent to Reuters, repeating its customary stance.

 

(Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle, Susan Heavey and John Walcott in Washington, Soyoung Kim in Seoul, Amy Miyazaki, Linda Sieg and Tim Kelly in Tokyo, Philip Wen in Dandong and Martin Petty in Manila; Writing by Lincoln Feast, Doina Chiacu, Frances Kerry and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Alistair Bell and James Dalgleish)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-10

[darksidedog]

54 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

The news agency said Trump "let out a load of nonsense about 'fire and fury'," adding "sound dialogue is not possible with such a guy bereft of reason

I would say they have called this one fairly accurately. Only a fool would get sucked in to a game of rhetoric with North Korea.

[sweatalot]

10 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

I would say they have called this one fairly accurately. Only a fool would get sucked in to a game of rhetoric with North Korea.

You're right.

NK needs another kind of answer

[chrisinth]

8 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

I would say they have called this one fairly accurately. Only a fool would get sucked in to a game of rhetoric with North Korea.

A senior administration official who deals with the Korea issue said the "fire and fury" comment, which was Trump's strongest warning yet for North Korea, was "unplanned and spontaneous.”

 

The bold part of the cut from the OP is what makes this man a threat to this fairly stable world in which we currently exist........

[landslide]

Trump stooped to the fat boy's level with the "Fire and Fury" comment.  A much simpler and to the point response would be that if the DPRK should attempt a nuclear missile launch against the USA or its allies, Kim Jong Un and the DPRK will cease to exist.

[rijb]

[overherebc]

The biggest problem that could arise if NK threw the first ICBM at Guam and the USA started throwing them back is that all too soon the politicians would get involved and make a mess of the whole thing instead of just letting the army/forces get on with it and finish the job in one go.

[Phuketboy]

41 minutes ago, landslide said:

Trump stooped to the fat boy's level with the "Fire and Fury" comment.  A much simpler and to the point response would be that if the DPRK should attempt a nuclear missile launch against the USA or its allies, Kim Jong Un and the DPRK will cease to exist.

The US couldn't do that before and they certainly won't be able to do it now. Unfortunately, if this does escalate the US will be up against NK, China and maybe Russia.  Might be biting off more than they can chew.  When it comes to allies or even wanting to get involved, decisions can quickly change.  Any country will consider who it needs and what it can gain.  With China and NK allied, it becomes a problem.  Everything is made in China, countries need China for both imports and exports.  What exactly does anyone need America for again?  I would say most of America's allies will not want to get involved.  

[edwardflory]

INSANE

 

What would YOU do, as THE leader of YOUR country, if you saw missiles headed in the direction of YOUR country or territories, or your allies?

 

18 - 25 miles and they drop into the sea?  What happens if one drops inside 12 miles? 

 

Inside 12 miles WOULD be a act of war - inside the standard territorial waters many countries observe, what if land fall was made?

 

""Oh sorry that we killed some of your citizens"" would not be a good reply.

 

Little fat man is throwing $hit at the fan, if it hits the fan, a world at war!!

 

 

[Roger Harris]

Why don't the fat man and Trump kiss and make up, thats my answer

[sweatalot]

38 minutes ago, edwardflory said:

INSANE

 

What would YOU do, as THE leader of YOUR country, if you saw missiles headed in the direction of YOUR country or territories, or your allies?

 

18 - 25 miles and they drop into the sea?  What happens if one drops inside 12 miles? 

 

Inside 12 miles WOULD be a act of war - inside the standard territorial waters many countries observe, what if land fall was made?

 

""Oh sorry that we killed some of your citizens"" would not be a good reply.

 

Little fat man is throwing $hit at the fan, if it hits the fan, a world at war!!

 

 

World at war?

 

I think the other countries  even China -  will not like to be involved. Why should they?  They will just watch. And that will be the end of NK.

Edited August 10, 2017 by sweatalot

[cornishcarlos]

9 minutes ago, sweatalot said:

World at war?

 

I think the other countries  even China -  not like to be involved. Why should they?  They will just watch. And that will be the end of NK.

 

And South Korea... 

[ExpatOilWorker]

15 minutes ago, sweatalot said:

World at war?

 

I think the other countries  even China -  not like to be involved. Why should they?  They will just watch. And that will be the end of NK.

War is always very unpredictable. While the US is tied down in NK, China could settle border claims with India. Russia could finish what they have already started in Ukraine.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Trump stooped to the fat boy's level with the "Fire and Fury" comment.  A much simpler and to the point response would be that if the DPRK should attempt a nuclear missile launch against the USA or its allies, Kim Jong Un and the DPRK will cease to exist.

The warning should be more explicit. Any launch conventional or otherwise, how can we tell at this point, at Japan, Korea or Guam etc WILL be met with a violent reponse and that reponse will be complete and nuclear. One US submarine (invulnerable) can restore order there, will little warning, and with less than a full load of it's missles.

[saminoz]

Trump's "fire and fury" warning was meant to send a "strong message to North Korea in language that (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un would understand, because he doesn't seem to understand diplomatic language,"

 

That's a bloody good thing, because Trump doesn't seem to be able to speak "diplomatic language" in any event!

I'm looking forward to the next round of exchanges that may open with a resounding "my daddy's bigger than your daddy!".

Very mature stuff from these leaders.

Why should we worry?

[simon43]

Perhaps history will relate how World War III was started by two crazy guys who were having 'bad hair' days....

[maximillian]

1 hour ago, edwardflory said:

INSANE

 

What would YOU do, as THE leader of YOUR country, if you saw missiles headed in the direction of YOUR country or territories, or your allies?

 

18 - 25 miles and they drop into the sea?  What happens if one drops inside 12 miles? 

 

Inside 12 miles WOULD be a act of war - inside the standard territorial waters many countries observe, what if land fall was made?

 

""Oh sorry that we killed some of your citizens"" would not be a good reply.

 

Little fat man is throwing $hit at the fan, if it hits the fan, a world at war!!

 

 

Well, Kim and Donald...  Not sure who is sane and who isn't.

Attacking NK with nukes would have a very unpleasant effect on allied SouthKorea and the US troops there. It could easily spark a BIG war.

[maximillian]

55 minutes ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

The warning should be more explicit. Any launch conventional or otherwise, how can we tell at this point, at Japan, Korea or Guam etc WILL be met with a violent reponse and that reponse will be complete and nuclear. One US submarine (invulnerable) can restore order there, will little warning, and with less than a full load of it's missles.

Wow...  Guys like you frighten me.  Hope Trump and his advicers are a little smarter.

[coconuthead]

trump & kim jong have more in common than you think......they are both BUFF's for a start

[Morch]

31 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Perhaps history will relate how World War III was started by two crazy guys who were having 'bad hair' days....

 

You think there will be much history recorded post WWIII?

[craigt3365]

3 hours ago, Phuketboy said:

The US couldn't do that before and they certainly won't be able to do it now. Unfortunately, if this does escalate the US will be up against NK, China and maybe Russia.  Might be biting off more than they can chew.  When it comes to allies or even wanting to get involved, decisions can quickly change.  Any country will consider who it needs and what it can gain.  With China and NK allied, it becomes a problem.  Everything is made in China, countries need China for both imports and exports.  What exactly does anyone need America for again?  I would say most of America's allies will not want to get involved.  

China and Russia voted for the recent resolution. China is taking abig bite economically. China does not want a nuclear NK.

 

Guess what? All major nations are allied with thi. Luckiky.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Wow...  Guys like you frighten me.  Hope Trump and his advicers are a little smarter.

If everyone were like me there would be no

Armies, even police wouldn't carry guns. Unfortunately true evil exists. Only because of decent men with guns can you sleep safely. Nk (next Iran) cannot be allowed to posses a nuclear weapon capability.

[ilostmypassword]

7 minutes ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

If everyone were like me there would be no

Armies, even police wouldn't carry guns. Unfortunately true evil exists. Only because of decent men with guns can you sleep safely. Nk (next Iran) cannot be allowed to posses a nuclear weapon capability.

Because everybody would be a wannabe tough guy but in reality a wuss?

[Rancid]

3 hours ago, sweatalot said:

World at war?

 

I think the other countries  even China -  will not like to be involved. Why should they?  They will just watch. And that will be the end of NK.

Well lets see, China intervened in the Korean war to prop up the north as presumably didn't want a US base on their border. If N Korea was to use a nuke, no one imagines the US won't nuke them, they are after all the only country to ever use a nuke. If N Korea gets nuked then there won't be radioactive fallout into China, Russia, S Korea & Japan?

 

Also lets consider another scenario where the North uses nukes and the US launches an ICBM back at them, the Chinese and Russians won't feel a bit disconcerted at one of them heading towards where they also have bases nearby?

 

If the US was winning a war there with troops on the ground then the same thing that brought China into the last war wouldn't occur again?

 

There is no upside to war, there is no clean victory possible, no doubt the US generals (as opposed to idiot politicians) are well aware of that, like it or not the only recourse is diplomacy.

[ExpatOilWorker]

57 minutes ago, Rancid said:

Well lets see, China intervened in the Korean war to prop up the north as presumably didn't want a US base on their border. If N Korea was to use a nuke, no one imagines the US won't nuke them, they are after all the only country to ever use a nuke. If N Korea gets nuked then there won't be radioactive fallout into China, Russia, S Korea & Japan?

 

Also lets consider another scenario where the North uses nukes and the US launches an ICBM back at them, the Chinese and Russians won't feel a bit disconcerted at one of them heading towards where they also have bases nearby?

 

If the US was winning a war there with troops on the ground then the same thing that brought China into the last war wouldn't occur again?

 

There is no upside to war, there is no clean victory possible, no doubt the US generals (as opposed to idiot politicians) are well aware of that, like it or not the only recourse is diplomacy.

 

China only want what is best for them long term and in a strange way having NK and the US grinding teeth is a good thing for China.

Imagine if little Kimmy launch a missile at continental US. What actions can the US take?

They can try to shoot it down, but will most likely miss and every minute it is getting closer. The US launch a couple of nukes at NK. BOOM!

5 minutes later the NK missile falls down in a field in the US....EMPTY!

 

The world would condemn the US and China could rise to the top of the world order.

 

 

 

[RobFord]

Why don't the fat man and Trump kiss and make up, thats my answer

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[tandor]

7 hours ago, darksidedog said:

I would say they have called this one fairly accurately. Only a fool would get sucked in to a game of rhetoric with North Korea.

..absolute madness for the leader of a world super power to even comment, let alone be drawn into a tit-for-tat with Mr. Ung...Trump has now destroyed the last remaining shred of respect in the eyes of the international community IMHO.

[tandor]

21 minutes ago, RobFord said:

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

..in reality they both would have 'pocket rockets'.

[Morch]

51 minutes ago, tandor said:

..in reality they both would have 'pocket rockets'.

 

Kim better not say anything about small hands...

[calexapic]

So this is what humanity has ultimately achieved... a wotsit fingered bunglec#@t marauding on twitter and a fat gangnam floppy haired oedipus complex bloke arguing who can kill the most people.  The scientific research capability and money that could have been spent on curing disease, feeding nations is just astounding. But no, the epitome of a progressive nation is their killing capability... just f$%€king sad! Trump is more dangerous with his trigger happy mouth than Bush and Reagan combined.