Violence and atrocities : hermit kingdom

Showing posts with label hermit kingdom. Show all posts

Friday, November 4, 2022

Tension mounts in the Korean Peninsula as South Korea scrambles 80 of its stealth jets

The military of South Korea detected mobilization of 180 North Korean warplanes. Immediately, it took action to counter any attack by scrambling its stealth jets. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea reported that it scrambled 80 aircraft, including F-35A stealth fighters after spotting North Korean aircraft at multiple locations north of the "tactical action line." There were no immediate reports of clashes. According to an official of South Korea, the virtual line drawn north of the physical border serves as the basis for air defence operations in South Korea. None of the aircraft crossed the "tactical action line." Incidentally, more than 240 planes are participating in the Vigilant Storm air drills with the United States. There was no stoppage of these drills. South Korea scrambles jets after detecting North Korean warplanes.

Pyongyang had earlier launched roughly 80 artillery rounds in retaliation for Seoul's joint military exercises with the United States. These came after the North launched dozens of missiles this week. The United States, Japan and South Korea condemned such actions of North Korea. It seems it test fired at least 23 missiles, and later launched three more into the Sea of Japan. These included an intercontinental ballistic missile that triggered evacuation warnings in Japan. As a result, South Korea and the United States prolonged their Vigilant Storm exercises. This infuriated Pyongyang. It had threatened reprisals over extension of the drills. The actions and reactions of North Korea, the hermit kingdom, are difficult to explain. It is possible that it wants to send out some sort of a message to the global community.

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

The United States, Japan and South Korea warn North Korea about serious consequences of any nuclear test

The United States and its allies Japan and South Korea spoke in one voice and warned North Korea against any further nuclear test. They said any violation would warrant an "unprecedentedly strong response." The three vowed unity following launch of a number of missiles from the hermit kingdom. Foreign ministers of the three nations held talks in Tokyo and believe they could boost their deterrence in the region. South Korea's Cho Hyun-dong said - "We agreed to further strengthen cooperation ... so that North Korea can immediately stop its illegal activities and return to denuclearization talks.” He went on to explain to members of the media - "The three countries agreed on the need for an unprecedentedly strong response if North Korea proceeds with its seventh nuclear test." Seoul and Washington have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang could be close to testing an atomic bomb for the first time since 2017. This came after a number of launch of ballistic missiles. One of these flew over Japan last month. The North has separately claimed that it had carried out tactical nuclear drills. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman says – “All of this behavior is reckless and deeply destabilizing." She urged North Korea to "refrain from further provocations." North Korea put on notice: Nuclear test would draw "unprecedentedly strong" response.

According to a section of the media, Sherman laid stress on the fact that the commitment of the U.S. to the security of South Korea and Japan is "ironclad.” She went on to add that the U.S. would "use the full range of U.S. defense capabilities to defend our allies, including nuclear, conventional and missile defense capabilities." Incidentally, last month Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea had declared the country an "irreversible" nuclear power, effectively ending negotiations over his banned arms programs. He had met three times with President Biden's predecessor Donald Trump. It did reduce tensions but did not result in any lasting agreement. The country has also shown little interest in taking up President Biden's offer of working-level talks.

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Kim Jong-un attends opening ceremony of new massive greenhouse farm, Ryonpho Greenhouse

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, attended the opening ceremony of a greenhouse farm. It was built on a former air base where the country had test-fired missiles until last year. It is the Ryonpho Greenhouse Farm touted as one of the country's largest vegetable farms. It is expected to address the problems of food shortages. North Korea used the farmhouse for launching several short-range ballistic missiles. These included the KN-25s in November 2019 and the suspected KN-23s in March 2021. The state media says Kim Jong-un attended the event after guiding the officials on nuclear tactical exercises. The hermit kingdom kept carrying out nuclear exercises targeting South Korea. It was in order to counter recent joint naval drills by the forces of South Korea and the United States. Kim Jong attends opening ceremony of greenhouse farm built on former missile test site. The location of the farmhouse is in the eastern countryside of Hamju. Its launch was to mark the anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party, a major holiday in North Korea.

The project to transform Ryonpho air base was unveiled in December last year. It was a top priority project to improve the lives of people. Using it as a model, the leader has plans to move ahead with the overall rural development of the country. According to the official KCNA news agency, the farm has more than 850 blocks of modern greenhouses. The total area covered is 280 hectares. It will be harmonised with some 1,000 houses, schools and cultural and service facilities. The agency says - "Kim John has spearheaded the farm initiative to boost vegetable supplies and praised soldiers and workers for completing the construction in just a few months.” He has also issued instructions to larger farms, increase the variety of vegetables and ensure scientific, industrialized production and management at those farms.

Saturday, October 8, 2022

America imposes fresh sanctions on North Korea after it conducts more ballistic missile tests

Within the last two weeks, North Korea has launched as many as six missiles. This happened within the past two weeks and the western world is worried. In view of this situation, the US has imposed fresh sanctions on the hermit kingdom. The US Treasury and State Department announced this. These would target two individuals and three entities. They have links to the delivery of refined petroleum to the DPRK. Such an action directly supports the development of DPRK weapons programs and its military. Secretary of State Antony Blinken disclosed this and provided details. The targets indicated by the Treasury Department are two Singapore registered companies and an entity registered in the Marshall Islands associated with illicit ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to circumvent UN sanctions. US imposes new sanctions connected to North Korea following spate of missile tests. Blinken explained that the purpose of this action is to send a clear message that the U.S. “will continue to take actions against those who support the development and sustainment of the DPRK’s military and weapons arsenal.”

The activities of North Korea vis-à-vis aggressive acceleration in weapons testing has become a matter of concern for South Korea and Japan. They along with the US responded with missile launches and joint military exercises. The US has also redeployed an aircraft carrier into waters near the peninsula. This is a move described by South Korean authorities as “very unusual.” Blinken warned that if North Korea continues “down this road” of provocation “it will only increase the condemnation, increase the isolation and increase the steps that are taken in response to their actions.” Incidentally, these recent tests have added to the concerns of the administration. It feels these could be in preparation of Kim Jong-un overseeing his nation’s seventh nuclear test.

Monday, September 26, 2022

Freight train services resume between North Korea and China after a brief suspension due to pandemic

An outbreak of COVID-19 in the Chinese city of Dandong led to suspension of freight train services between China and North Korea. The services have resumed after a lapse of five months. A news agency of South Korea revealed this. The new agency says the frequency of these trains would be once or twice every day. Incidentally, China is the main economic lifeline of the North and accounts for a major share of its trade. However, cross-border commerce suffered due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. It seems according to Chinese customs data, trade between the two countries dropped nearly 90 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Aid workers and analysts cautioned that the isolation of North Korea has affected its already fragile economy leading to shortage of food and corresponding malnutrition. North Korea, China resume freight train services: reports. Alastair Morgan was the ambassador of the United Kingdom ambassador to North Korea between 2005 and 2008. He says the significance of resumption of freight train service would depend on whether this service indicated a fresh start of regular operations. He told a section of the media that this could be a one-off shipment of essential medical supplies or food.

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, had declared victory over coronavirus. That was after the authorities had reported about 4.8 million “fever cases.” This was consequent to an extensive outbreak in May. Kim had acknowledged that North Koreans were facing hardships because of the pandemic. He even likened it to the 1950-1953 Korean War. Incidentally, the hermit kingdom has reported just 74 COVID-19 deaths overall. Experts doubt the figures in view of the lack of vaccine coverage and its dilapidated healthcare system.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

North Korea reactivates its missile programs

After a brief lull, North Korea appears to have reactivated its missile program. It seems the North fired two cruise missiles towards the sea off its west coast recently. The country has been pursuing its missile programs in spite of sanctions against it by the global community. This had been imposed in order restrict the nuclear ambitions of the hermit kingdom and maintain peace in the Korean Peninsula. However, North Korea appears to be determined to pursue the testing of its missiles irrespective of consequences. The latest launch appears to be the first one by the secretive country since 8 June. At that time, it had conducted test of eight short-range ballistic missiles. North Korea fires two cruise missiles as South Korea leader calls for diplomacy. This comes even as South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed concern over the weapons program of its neighbor. The president of South Korea called for diplomatic procedures in an effort to create an atmosphere of sustainable peace.

During a news conference, President Yoon Suk-yeol made it clear that he was not in favor of bringing any political change in the North by force. Simultaneously, he urged North Korea to return to dialogue that would open the doors towards denuclearization. Such a step would result in economic benefits. Incidentally, Kim Jong-un, the leader of the North, has claimed about mobilizing his country’s nuclear war deterrent. He has also added that North Korea was prepared for any potential military conflicts with not only the United States but also South Korea. He went to the extent of criticizing the new president Yoon Suk-yeol for the first time and cautioned that Seoul was pushing towards the brink of war.