Why did North Korea launch a rocket?
By Jamie Crawford
With North Korea's launch of a rocket that most see as cover for a ballistic missile test, a deal to resume food aid from the United States now dead, the loud chorus from the international community that was already condemning the act as an unnecessary provocation is only likely to grow louder in the coming days.
"They have nothing to gain and only further isolation to anticipate should they go ahead with this," Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said on CNN's John King, USA earlier this week.
The United States and its allies had been if anything unambiguous with their thoughts on the launch. So just why did Pyongyang go ahead with the launch? There is no shortage of answers or theories to that question, but many analysts who follow the country say the regime simply does not have that much to lose, and thus need not weigh much in the way of costs versus benefits going forward.
"How much more isolated can you get?" asks James Acton of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The United Nations has sanctioned North Korea many times over for its provocative acts of the past, and the country's largest economic and political benefactor China, is unlikely to support any additional penalties at the Security Council this time.
"There may be some financial sanctions that the United States and its friends can unilaterally apply, but this is already by a long way the most isolated country on Earth," Acton said. "The truth is that our ability to inflict significant costs on North Korea is not all that large."
The timing of the launch was not coincidental, and that too played into the North Korean calculus. For years, North Korea has been planning to mark 2012 as a year in which it would show the world it has become a great and prosperous nation. In homage to the centenary of the country's founder Kim ill Sung, his son and successor Kim Jong-Il had ordered the launch of the satellite around the birthday of Kim Il Sung on April 15.
With a leadership succession to Kim Jong Un following the death of his father in December, many Korea watchers say the North could not back down from the launch because it would also serve to fracture the succession process, and expose faults and flaws in the system.
"It's become part of the national identity and nation building, it's not simply a disguised ballistic missile test," says Victor Cha, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and author of the book "The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future."
For Cha, the launch is part of a national process of building a narrative and myth about the new young leader. For his grandfather Kim il Sung, the constructed narrative was that of a founding father of the 'workers paradise,' and for Kim Jong-il it was the development of a nuclear program to complement its ballistic missile technology as a means of protecting the nation from outside forces.
"They need to build a new myth for him," Cha says of Kim Jong Un. Part of that myth is "the notion of trying to reach new technological heights with indigenous technology, not relying on others. So space is the frontier they want to conquer."
There is likely a military component to the launch as well.
While the North portrays it as solely about putting a satellite in orbit to add an air of international legitimacy, the technology of launching satellites and ballistic missiles are similar, and the need to further test their military defense capabilities is needed to move forward.
"This is about developing a long range ballistic missile that is capable of hitting the United States," said Acton with Carnegie.
Before he left office, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates voiced concerns over the North's military aims. "North Korea now constitutes a direct threat to the United States," he said in an interview with Newsweek while voicing concern over possible future missile technology that would be more difficult to preemptively destroy. "They are developing a road-mobile ICBM [Intercontinental Ballistic missile]. I never would have dreamed they would go to a road-mobile before testing a static ICBM."
"North Korea needs these [static missile] tests to develop missile technology," that could lead to advancement in mobile-delivery technology Acton said.
And the legacies of Iraq and Afghanistan may also be playing into the North's thinking as well.
"It's not just politics, it's the very life of the system and at the same time it sends a strong message to the world," said Cha. As Director of Asian Affairs on the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration, Cha said his North Korea interlocutors told them their large military buildup was largely a product of seeing that Iraq and Afghanistan lacked nuclear weapons, and would never have been attacked had they possessed them.
Continuing a campaign of military advancement is a small price to pay to avoid a future U.S. attack in the North's mind Cha says. "For them, they lose a little bit of food [aid], but in the end, its a win win for them at least in their own way of thinking."
"Its always at best educated guess work with the North Koreans," says Mike Chinoy, a senior fellow at the U.S.-China Institute at the University of Southern California, and author of the book "Meltdown: The Inside Story of the North Korean Nuclear Crisis."
Chinoy, who traveled to North Korea many times as a CNN correspondent, says there is more than just birthday celebrations and national defense capabilities at work. The North's mortal enemy and neighbor, South Korea, is a factor as well. "There is a little bit of North-South competition here," he told CNN.
For decades, South Korea has been trying to put a satellite in orbit without any success. "If the North could actually get whatever this thing is on top of their rocket into orbit, they can trumpet that as a triumph over the South."
Most analysts who follow North Korea see a familiar script being re-written with North Korean provocation being followed by global condemnation, and a period of further isolation from the international community. Satellite, ballistic missile test or both, the regime appears certain in its abilities to weather the storm once again.
Chinoy says the invitation to a large contingent of foreign media by North Korea to visit the launch site and report the launch from inside the country is a sign the new regime is very confident of its hold on power, and keep control of events. "I have been there enough to know that the slightest twinge of anxiety and the door just slams shut."
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I REALLY WANTED THE MISSILE TEST TO WORK. WHY SHOULD THE UNITED STUPIDS OF AHOLES HAVE NUCLEUR MISSILES AND TRY TO DICTATE THAT OTHER NATIONS CANT HAVE THEM. WHAT HYPOCRATES, UNIITED STUPIDS OF AHOLES USED NUCLEAR BOMBS IN THE PAST AND THOSE BOMBS DISINIGRATED INNOCENT PEOPLE. AFTERWARDS THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS BECAME A DETTERENT. SO NORTH KOREA BUILDS A NUCLEAR BOMB AND IT BECOMES A DETTERENT TO THE UNITED STUPIDS OF AHOLES.
let me tell people somthing it was most likely shot down and if it wasnt doesnt make it an embaresment all that means is that north korea doesnt care just like middle east countries that will put america and other countrie back because they will have to deal with them with there armie while norht korea will have armie and nukes because china wont let america shoot a nuke cause norht korea is right by china and that president in north korea is 28 years old and a dictator america and other countries have a long way to go and north korea is actually a very powerfull countrie due to there fighting style if they were such a weak countrie america would have dealed with them like they did with libia north korea is in the ring and ready to fight they just cant fight when nobody is coming in the ring thats who they are
Why did North Korea launch? Because they can, because they have every right to, why not?
They launched the icbm to prove they could hit a plastic six pack ring and two plastic barnacle encrusted water bottles in the east china sea. Bulls Eye! All hail the great leader.
I swear, North Korea's govt is the Mexico of the Asian world.
I understand the fear that some of you are showing. I also understand the pride many of the families feel regarding their relatives in the military. But as a European, do you think I (And a lot of other fellow Europeans) would want to see warfare against NK (And it's "allies") right now? This is not the decision of one man. Let's say Obama would go against the UN (Like another, old goose did) and counter NK right now – what do you think would happen? What happened the last time? Many of my friends got dragged in an endless war against terror, for being allied to the US. Some of them are not coming back. Fathers, husbands, kids and wives of these countries are dead. Trust me, no one hates terror more than I do, but popping bullets in every head is not the answer. Think outside the box for just a minute.
Stopping the food supply isn't humane. The N. Koreans can and must not suffer because of their dictatorship. This is a most unfortunate situation, and there is no 007 who can parachute beyond the borders and save the world. Neither is Obama the devil who wants the US to suffer under a evil pact with China and NK – but there is a world outside who will be torn and dragged in to a possible WWIII. A selected few, doesn't seem to understand that the world aren't just haters of the Republican party. There are people outside the US, and we're not just Terrorists or commies. Besides, who can afford to go to war in these days?
"There is likely a military component to the launch as well." "Likely"??? Gee, do you think so? The only reason their civilian population gets any food at all is so they can work at the arms factories.
they launched to show their potential buyers how far their future purchase can go.
DId it really "launch"? I've had Estes rockets get further off the ground with successful missions.
the whole point of it is not wheather it was succesfull or not its the fact that they will get it right soon and there president is 28 years old and a dictator and cnn wont tell you what really happened i heard it was shot down
They did it because they are f--in stupid.
The missle test was to demostrate we are in striking distance and because we have been or would have been warned with their show of force, we would abandoned any further attempts interfere.
Once they have developed a working long range missile and a nuclear bomb, they will not threaten anymore, they will react.
The N.K. want to launch a satelite for the same reasons we did after Soviets did, we did not want the world to think we were dumber than those SOB Russians, which in the dayr before womens lib was who had the biggest balls syndrome., which it still is. The very openess of NKs invite under its new leader, and I dont give a damn americans superior tech BS, EVERY space shuttle flight was never a sure thing and not that long ago we had a disastorious one@ We had more than one such failures. Littie is known of mindset of NKs new leader yet damn near every American has judged him as our newest big Bad and Dumbest Boogy Man! He has traveled and been portrayed as a somewhat arrogant little snot nosed brat, but so what, I know and see a damn lot of Americans that can be described in the same vein. Darn, this board in my eye is giving me a headache@
North Korea's missile launched because someone overstimulated it.
If you'll pardon the pun: You can't be too hard on North Korea, premature explosion happens a lot the first time....
let's let our people starve while we build a rocket! What a great and prospurous nation we are!
Yes, thats what happens on that first date,"premature detonation" LOL
What did they have to gain? Well, if they had succeeded, everything. All that would have remained for them to do would be to detonate a nuclear bomb that was more than a fizzle (look it up). They could have probably inferred from the world stage that their treatment would change very quickly. While South Korea is not a nuclear nation it must be treated as such due to US involvement. If you both have nukes available, negotiations change quickly. Just look at India and Pakistan. Several wars, both pariahs in various circles. As soon as both had nukes they had to begin talking in somewhat good faith and the nations supporting either or both of those nations were also forced to engage accordingly. Had North Korea succeeded, you can bet some nice back channel negotiating would have started. Now that NK has failed (again), their best option is to try again. And they will.
"How much more isolated can you get?"
If so, maybe it's time to try a different approach? Generations long embargoes of totalitarian states (Cuba, NK) have not had any effect on their dictatorships. What would be the results if we opened the flood gates to commerce as well as humanitarian aid? NK has managed to struggle on by blaming their empty shelves and starvation on us. How well will that myth play with shelves full of Japanese electronics, European clothing, US food and the like?
I'm starting to think the US aim for years is not so much to win these cold and warm conflicts but to assure the countries don't succeed. Do we really want another Japan? We built them up and they hurt us financially for years. No. I think we want another Vietnam. A country so war torn and destroyed they still haven't recovered. Vietnam, Cuba, Korea, Iraq...I don't think we mind dictator as long as they don't prosper.
80 percent of our Dept of Ed. budget, over 120 Bilions, goes towards Millitary research in our Universitys and it is not millitary bugdet! NASA space shuttle prgrams funding went into millitary needs with a science project as an accessory basis, and was in fact began in order to quickly launch eyes in sky but not millitary budget. 60 to 70 pc of all so called humanitarian aid funding ends right back into US Corporate and Bank/Financial pockets. How many of our most brilliant and innovative minds were taken away from industrial, medical, and other scientific endeators by finding ways to millitarily blow the hell out of people. Today your millitary is spending over a billion a year monitoring You. It budgets millions into the entertainment industry to make sure they are always nobly portrayed and even finance video games and are now largest software buyers in the world. Many of our off shored industrial job loses can be attributed to trade policys demanded by millitary concerns.
Everyone, everywhere, gets the government they tolerate. Government requires the active and passive consent of the governed.
Exactly, Tex. And what would be the best way to deal with NK, armed with that knowledge? STOP HELPING THEM. I guarantee you, the NK government doesn't tell their people where this help comes from. Cut them off, and I am sorry that the NK people may suffer, but hey- a few hundred years ago, 13 colonies felt like their government was screwing them. What did those folks do?
I guess missile launches are better than food...
North Korea pinched off another failed rocket, for the same reason a bear pinches one off in the woods. Cause they are full of it.
The omly ass hole here is John Smith , inbreeding is a terrible thing
That north korea is coming close to breaching the 1960's technology barrier doesnt really scare me very much, even if they were able to succesfully launch an intercontinental ballistic missle(wich failed)...they only have enough warheads for a bomb or two at best, they could never launch them be because they know they would be literally exterminated from a 10 fold retaliation....north korea is only as dangerous as we imagine them to be.
I agree here. Unfortunately NK may be inbred insane enough that they might try nuclear blackmail and actually drop one saying they have more. I hope they don't, but so far they they seem to be living in a fantasy land, and my fear is that they start believing their own rhetoric!
Because they can. Just like the NK sank a S Korean navy ship, or bombed an island that killed S Korean soldeirs. But, did any country retaliated? No. They will keep doing their misdeeds because they know they can get away with it.
that is why they need to be VAPORIZE
End of WWI US sends millitary men and supplies into Russia to aid old Czarist Royalty to regain throne, we lose so no monuments erected. No one talked of cost of wars until the middle class found out they will have to pay for them. 09/01/2001s destruction began decades before and had nothing to do with hatred for americans freedoms, the mobwanting vengence waved foreign made flags and stick ons to vehicles. To think that the present economic problems americans now face is just recent places us in no better mindset than those peoples of N. Korea. At least they can claim ignorance by not having any access to information and if they did any means to question the why of their leaders actions. No doubt N. K. is one screwed up Place to live but the social structure itselfcan be found germinating within the US.
First of all why in the hell are we even offering to feed them???? i amsure there are starving people in the U.S that could use 240,000 tons of food. How about lets take care of the people who voted to put you in the seat you are in..
I think the reason they did is that the kid is not running the show in the North; but some, not all all of the Generals are. If the launch had succeeded then the kid would have gained more respect from other generals and solidified his place as North Korea's absolute ruler so close to the celebration.The Chinese however will not be pleased by this development and I think will exercise their influence over North Koreato open up for commerce and no more of this. Could be wrong.
Sorry meant Korea to
Someone remind me, why is it our business what another country does? Would we like it done to us? Someone remind me why do we send food "aid" to other nations when we have no money and people starving here at home? Why whomever we elect nothing ever changes? If Ron Paul doesn't run third party our country is doomed.
Betty – you simply have to think outside the box, that is your answer. A missile affects all of us, not just within one country. It can take out portions of humanity, they're not aiming it on themselves, are they? Having a little compassion for other people will actually take you further in this world. If I were starving because my A$$hole leader was letting me starve, I would hope some non A$$hole leader would step in and feed me. So there you go!
But Obama is an A$$hole just like you.
You are Smart!
John Smith I believe you have AIDS! You're an illiterate rightwing conservatice white sheet wearing cross burning coward confederate asshole!
Ron Paul is Awesome unlike Obama the Freak
You sir, are a moron... If obama is a freak, what in the hell would that make george w... obama has lowered the unemployment rates, downscaling our military involvement in afghanistan got us out of iraq. our economy is picking up, got us outta the recession in which he didn't even cause. you fail to realize that the 1st two years of his first term as elected president, bush's doctrines and laws were still in place with nothing obama could do. and in those two years, we needed a government bailout which saved thousands of jobs and brought back our "big 3." we've already got that money back as well, by the way. so since we've been prospering here at the end of his term compared to the beginning, is actually his doctrines and laws being implemented into our every day lives.. you are a fool if you truly believe he is a "freak" b/c he sure as hell brought us out and still continuing to get us out, of the hell that ol' George got us in... do some research my friend..
Yeah, because isolationism worked so well during WWII.
@ Alex
John Smith wouldn't understand what you just wrote because he lives in a trailer, never had an elementary education, doesn't understand world events and screws his own sister! You have to exceuse the confederate trailer trash!
They did that is because they are Koreans. We must bust in because we are Americans. We are the self-appointed protector for humanity, now quite broke, can barely afford to buy a used Kia.
http://www.Hear-The-Truth.com
Why did they do it? Easy.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. North Korea is not on anybody's top 10 place to live nor retire. How do you get a bunch of really unhappy people to become a society? Get them to share a common misery. If they will not join together voluntarily, give them a common enemy to galvinize together. Convince the North Korean people that as bad as things are, think of how worse they could be if they were subjugated by outside forces totally out of their control.
Each time the world condemns the North Korean govt, the North Korean people huddle a little closer together.
To get to the other side.
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Don't let them distract you anymore, Now is the time to take back our lives and live in Freedom, the way we were meant to live.
Wake. Up.
They just want to show their power but it backfired on them. N Korea is not a threat now nor will it be in the foreseeable future.
That is not always true. Technology can advance at a very fast speed.
Here's more proof that our species lived in trees until we lost our tails, and we never recaptured our sense of balance.
You need help.
The celebrations in US is understandable but what if the launch is successful? It is only a matter time. They might have collected enormous data and correct their cruise systems to work better in next trail.
Why does the U.S do it? How much money do you guys waste on all your war BS? Your days of telling everyone else what they can and can't do are coming to an end. Take your monopoly money and shove it! Your not doing the world any favors. Enjoy your dying empire. Good riddance.
Well Mark, We do something called keeping order and providing justice. If you don't like freedom and think dictators should be able to kill their own citizens at will and keep the majority of their population starving than maybe you should move to North Korea where you wouldn't be even able to post a comment on a website like this.
What freedoms do we Americans enjoy? Our own congresswoman Gabriella Giffords gets gunned down in Arizona because the rightwing teabags in America believe this country belongs to them! A legislative majority of 219 passes a healthcare legislation and now we have five conservative Justices saying that 219 members of congress misinterpreted the constitution and this legislation seems to be unconstitutional! Freedom? What freedom? And may I add that this is the same five conservative Justices who appointed GWB to the presidency to destroy our country for eight straight years? Just imagine five justices saying that a 219 congressional majority misinterpreted the constitution! I say go screw yourselves! Freedom? Then you have conservative Governors like Scott Walker and others across America, stripping workers of your collective bargaining rights and all that they've worked so hard for and conservatives invading women's privacy and taking away walking canes, wheel chairs and medication from seniors! Yet they say they're for less government! You call that less government? I say that is hypocrisy! Freedoms? Really?
@Blahblah- I think the Teabagparty and modern Republicans (and Democrats as well) are to blame for some problems, but don't try and tie that in to Gabby getting shot. It wasn't right-wing crazies that did it. It was just your normal sort of crazy.
The supreme court decides what is constitutional not Congress. Perhaps you need to go back to school and learn about the checks and balances system. You think forcing someone to pay for healthcare is freedom? What does a congresswoman getting shot by a mentally unstable person have to do with the right wing or tea party?
Isolationist WW I, II? We were supplying allies long before we entered either war, and had US men dying while doing so. Lusitania was carrying munitions to GB when sunk. Flying Tigers and flying in fuel and munitions over Burma Hump, and lots more cases. Those who win write history. Panama Canal, Guam, many S. sea Islands, Diaego Garcia, Canp Bondsteel Balkans, HAWIAN ISLANDS, HAITI, GUANTANAMO CUBA. Lots of ways to Occupy a nation and its peoples. Talk about ancestnr worship, NKs old leader, Hell we dig ours up and parade them every day! We use our VFWs to justify todays slaughter of peoples to get oil. NEOs, lib/cons* gop Regan, Ford, and every dam General aven the Confederates, while dems dig up Abraham Lincoln, JFK, FDR, Pocahontas, SBA, MLK, and all for whose gains? A 12 Billion a year Embassy in Iraq that controls every aspect of economics and paid to play as Iraq leaders, divided old nation in half, and made Kurdistan a US Protectorate. OCCUPATION???
Wow what rambling nonsense.
Why did they do it? Ask Ginrich, about throwing good money down the toilet.
Please direct me where I can find confirming video(s) of the rocket/missle failure....
Because we do not have a republican in office, or he is just a baby playing with his daddy's toys.
What to the citizens of NK and Yoko Ono have in common????????????
They both will have to liive off of dead Beatles.
This stupid failure rocket launch cost NK around $900million dollars..do you know how much food that could be bought for their starving people? While I feel bad for their starving people I do not think we should reward them with food aid for their stupid rectless acts.
A, for CNN, well writen, brought in some genuine EXPERTS and not just some triple dipping Military Flapper or some secondhand weeping lilys books wrote to sell. Lots of Good papers and authorative works on Korea, 90pc of what is written on Koreas is pure BC political flag and gun waving propaganda. Just as those who KNOW true HISTORY, yes the US INVADED Canada, and got its but whipped leadingthe Brits. History as taught in our schools is more lies and generalitysthan TRUTH!. Just as in Korea the peoples listen to BS Propaganda and then embellish it, easier to believe than question. Unlike NK we in US have no excuse for not knowing our true history and reasons that US HAS BEEN AN AGGRESSIVE warring nation since founding. When NK culture is talked about we mean National Identity of today and who and why it is cannot be black/white answered, just as our own cannot. NK will most likely learn from this failure thats how life is.
My guess is that North Korean engineers knew this launch vehicle wasn't ready....but dared not tell their brutal leaders the hard truth.
@w5cdt, My guess is that even the North Korean leaders were suspicious of their technological competence yet for them the show must go on.
Do not be surprised if the same bunch “shortly” trigger a test nuclear explosion to compensate today’s ballistic rocket failure.
Sayan.
Yes, it's always about compensating for the way in which one views one's missile.
If it's about compensating for their shortcomings, how about we shortcut the issue and send them a few cases of Viagra. Seems like a cheap alternative.
I think you are right!
The issue that is not mentioned is how much of this is being funded by Iran and what is Iran getting out of this?
With all the sanctions against Iran I was under the impression that they were hurting economically. Where are they getting the money to hand over to the North Koreans? I think all their aid probably comes from China who gives them just enough so their Army doesn't revolt and overthrow the regime. China probably likes having a poor dependent buffer country between them and any ally of the US like South Korea. They don't want them too technologically advanced so they don't help this as much as they could. And they like there money more than they care about the starving peasants so they don't give them enough food for everyone, just enough to keep the army under control.
We should withhold all aid for the next 3 years and refuse to reconvene any talks of any kind for 1 year for this. Perhaps if we would stop caving in and using our money and resources to feed their people they wouldn't have much of a choice but to use their own money to feed their own people instead of spending all of their money on the military while the rest of the world pays for the rest of their country's needs.
Eventually as the sick and starving start dying they'll riot in the streets and actual change would have a chance.
We've used dimplomacy, talk, talk and talk with NK regarding suspension of manufacturing and launching of ballistic missiles and we have continuously urged them that suspension of their nuclear ambitions would be in their best interest in the long run! Subsequently, we've used threat, deterrent, sanctions and have isolated NK for decades, however, there is one thing we haven't done yet! And that is, follow through with promised food aid! And so what if NK launches a ballistic missile against our wishes? Let's face it, we are supposed to be the grown up in the room and even if NK continues to act childish, all our efforts to gain NK's trust and eventually get them to join the league of nations would fail if we too continue to act childish and hault food aid because of some kind of tedious infraction on their part!
So far we have done all of the above to no avail, therefore we must change our strategy and go a step further and try to establish friendship with NK despite of an infraction and not allow a minor infraction to undermine the potential for progress! So I say its OK to condemn NK's recent ballistic launch but it is critical that we embrace them with open arms so as to not undermine the potential for progress under a new leadership! Furthermore, we must be careful not to judge Jong Un prematurely because this missile launch was planned long before his father died and had nothing to do with his agenda and leadership!
I also believe that if we go ahead with the food aid despite this minor infraction, it would serve to convince the young Jong Un that the West really cares about bringing NK out of isolation and helping it join the league of nations! So NK launches a harmless rocket and no one die but we invaded Iraq and Afghanistan and thousands of people died and continue to die today! I say, let's give them the food aid and leave the door open for diplomacy!
Sounds like a commi to me..why in the world you would reward for their misbehavior...next!
You also said that they should be brought in to the League of Nations a long since defunct organization. I don't think you're good at facing facts. So I suggest people not listen to you.
I agree with you %100
JLV,wow!
you are so brian washed that you can even handle the fact and truth and even suggesting people not listen to some one who got it.. I am sorry for you and people like you who hiding their head in their....
It's moral dilemma. Give them food, allow them to play political games with the world. Put pressure on them – the common people who living zombie lives (from all accounts that get out) pay the price. The leaders of countries are not held accountable to the welfare of their countries, and who's to say who should judge that? The bureaucratic process is being driven by greed, egotism the selfishness of the few that is the underlying issue that can not be addressed, because it would require someone to claim higher moral ground. At this point, I'm concerned that another "police action" is brewing (although very unlikely due location), and I'd rather see directed action (can you say bombs?) against the seat of government than a ground war grinding up young men and women on both sides in a attempt to get at the government.
I do feel sorry for allied Telemetry Intelligence (TELINT) guys, what an anti-climax.
Sayan.
To the "Dear Leader" losing 240,000 tons of food aid may not seem like a big deal because he won't be among the people starving in North Korea. Heck he could even figure that starving people are too weak to put up much of a fight against his dictatorship, and he is addicted to power as are his minions...
North Korea is not truly isolated until China cuts off the flow of goods and resources to North Korea while militarizing the border to keep North Koreans in North Korea. China had not yet taken this step, which is a little puzzling considering how poor the area next to North Korea in China already is. Apparently being next door to North Korea doesn't even given Chinese businesses enough reason to invest near the border with a nation run by a man who could suddenly decide to do something that will get a lot of his countrymen killed., just because it seemed like a good start to his day. No nation wants to pick up a national charity case by being closer to North Korea.
It is about fear. Nations act on fear. Soon North Korea will create enough fear for the U.S. that you will soon feel compelled to start stockpiling Nuclear weapons and ICBMs. Then Russia and China will fear all of you enough to do the same. How different the world could be if we all became brave and kind.
You mean like Canada gearing up to take on Russia over some oil in the Arctic Circle.
The aforesaid document missed an important point.
North Korean military industrial complex desperately need to “fine tune” its ballistic missile technology to remain as approachable proliferator supplying missiles to any nation (ignoring international treaties) who can offer the much needed hard currency.
Sayan.
How refreshing, Sayan! To finally read someone having real-politic savvy!!
Why did North Korea launch a rocket? Why did the USA launch rockets 50 years ago? As long as the USA tries to rule /conquer the world I would want some kind of defense.
The USA has been in around 215 wars since 1776. The only time we had to defend ourselves was WW II. All the other wars we started, We invaded nations, overthrew goverments, CIA involvements, and stuck our noses in other nations civil wars. If a nation has something we want, we will come and take it. Might makes Right.
"USA tries to rule /conquer the world ", How is the US trying to conquer the world, the only ground we hold from the war we fought, are the Cemetery our dead are buried in. You have not a clue what you are talkng about. Rule the world, we have enough problems at home, without taking on the world problems.
Ahem, the Phillipines? Puerto Rico? The United States hasn't been attacked by another nation since December 7th, 1941, and yet since then we continue to push ourselves deeper in debt in the never-ending wartime economy fueling the death machine this country currently operates. Oh, and we lie about how many civilians we kill "accidentally" in nations we destroy without formal declarations of war. Don't let any feelings towards the poor souls unfortunate enough to be stuck in the military dilute the true picture. We're murderers with a lot of blood on our hands, with no formal war declarations and no reason to be anywhere overseas.
For hubert39: A little more history studies may find that WW II was not the only case. In 1812, Washington D.C was attacked (that falls in the last 215 years), and other places during that time frame. Additionally, the US tried to isolate itself in WW I and in WW II, and this proved unsuccessful ...so isolating yourself from a 'bad society' does not seem to work and trying to deter others from questionable actions...in your opinion is not the answer, what is the answer?
The War of 1812 was an act of aggression/invasion by the newly formed United States against the British colonies in what was to become Canada. It was just a delayed extension of the War of Independence. The control of vital trade routes through the Niagara Peninsula and the crossing at Windsor/Detroit was the primary motivation. The attack on the White House by Canadian fighters was in direct retaliation for US forces attacking and burning the Upper Canada capital of Newark, currently Niagara-on-the-Lake. Since the invasion was repelled, it is also the first defeat in war suffered by the US.
You're right! Our foreign policy is outrageous and a sham to say the least! We condemned the Soviets for invading Afghanistan in the 1970's and even boycotted the Russian Olympics in protest! But in 2002 we were asking NATO, including the Soviets to help us invade Afghanistan and support our so-called war on terrorism! That is hypocrisy!
Have you forgotten 9/11 already?
Unfortunately this is the world we live in. Going back to the beginning of human civilization we see wars and conflicts everywhere. We have a choice, we can pretend that we live in la-la land and are all happy peaceful people who all get along, or we can face reality and see that there are ruthless dictators hell-bent on power and destruction and control of other people.
Considering the Soviet Union dissolved itself on Dec. 25, 1991, I would really like to know what Soviet it was the US asked to join it on it's war on terror?
hubert39-
"Those with the gold make the rules." Its been that way since the begining of civilization. It was and is that way on the playground. I hope that there are not another 38 huberts in front of you and I further hope you are not living in the USA. Its bad enough we have to deal with the like of North Korea let alone the liberals like you that live within the borders.
As America owns a space station and now has no way to send people to it, except on the back of other peoples rockets. Maybe the North Koreans are trying to setup a taxi service? “milk” America instead of “nuke” America?
Half of europes satellites are now going to space on Russian ICBM’s after all.... aptly named ss18 Satan 🙂
Are you willing to gamble the lives of you and your countrymen on that hypothesis?
The articals says in a quote, "For them, they lose a LITTLE BIT OF FOOD [aid], but in the end, its a win win for them at least in their own way of thinking." The reality is that it would be a win win for those remaining that have not starved to death.
Subborn Nipper dumms
Why did they do it? I think the real question should be, "Why do pundits and ordinary citizens continue to look for reason from a state that is devoid of the stuff?"
North Korea needs to learn from history !! Weapons ,over arming and fighting leads to destruction,poverty,misery, economic hardship,and great sorrow-not to mention environmental disaster! A respect for basic human rights is the only way--co operation and communication is the only way!! Peace and prosperity are the key!!! Asian peoples gain nothing from fighting and destroying there land!! Look at America it is broke from all its wars and the cold war!!! Its roads and infrastructure are falling apart and its people have no healthcare!! Big deal its got a big mlitary-but its people are living in poverty without work!! People should not have to suffer such as this--where is the common sense in this world??Why should America get involved–let common sense prevail-tighten sanctions-offer them a historic deal !
To my North Korean brothers in the "intelligence" business:
Why do you do it? Do you not realize your entire country could be at a first-world level in just a few years if you stopped the insanity?
Do you not realize that your Revered Leader lives a life, at best, on par with "upper middle class" in the first world?
Why do you insist on brutalizing your own people?
Look South, my friends. Don't deny what you see. South Korea isn't exactly perfect, but it's a fantastic place none-the-less.
After failing the test, a few scientists will be lined up in front of a firing squad. Hundreds of comrades will get no rice for some months. Don't mess with the Fat Boy.
I agree wholeheartedly.
This is a time of testing the new leader. Unlike his father, he is not well known amongst the party leadership, and within a dictatorship there is always somebody looking for an opening. Stalin created all his purges for exactly that reason...to keep cutting down anyone who might be considering a move. In NK, there have to be some folks sayings "the kid's too young and now's the time." Some of those folks might have been pushing the kid to do this, hoping it would fail, and then taking more action. Others might have pushed it, saying "it's what your father would have done" and hoping it would succeed so they can be closer to the throne as advisers. Could be some of both.
In any case, now it's a real mess. The world is largely against them (even more) and they can't trumpet their success to the population either. Hard to know what happens next, but this wasn't a positive for anybody...in or out of NK.
The purges have never ended. The work camps have been in full force for 50+ years and you can see them on Google Earth. Even the top generals, when you see them on tape, are as skinny as a bunch of rails and probably starving just like the rest of the country. Who would have the energy for a takeover?
what a super costly fireworks that nobody couldn't see.
The new Boss simply needs to show his people that he ain't no punk and they can trust him to run things.
Every 2-bit dictator needs to earn his stripes and it usually comes at the business end of a gun.Unfortunately for this bozo his grand design broke-up in flight.
Listening to the morons here, i am ashamed of this country. I have two sons in the military fighting and ready at all times to cover your asses, while you sit here all night spewing forth your insane armchair garbadge blaming the President for everything. He is in a damed if i do, damed if i do not position by most of you. If he sends troops it is here we go again mentality and he is spending all your hard earned money. If he does nothing but sanctions he is a chicken. Does anything satisfy you folks. How about giving up your sons and grandsons for the military and our way of life. Thank your lucky stars we are a strong military country. While you complain about everything, you are free to speak about your president without being drug out of your beds in the middle of the night and you and your entire family is shot to death, raped or tortured. Just think for once. If you believe our military is weak you either never served or you have been smoking some powerful crap. We are the strongest military power and always will be. One son in the navy, one in the army, they say we are and always ready and i believe them and i believe in our president no matter who that person may be or what party they are from. Maybe you need to take a look in the mirror and say thanks to all our veterans who fought before us and wonder who is staring back at you. Are you a proud American or just a first class jack ass posting! I want to think your just a misguided nut job because no American would think what i have read...Proud to be an American here!!
Thank you and your family for their service to our country! I have no doubt we have the strongest military in the world.
Thank you. I will tell them for sure.
Where were you when Bush was in office?
Sandy...I thank your brave sons for serving in the military...I agree, it is so easy for people to forget that we can say what we say because we live in a free country, ..both of my grandfathers served in WW2, on in the Navy the other the Army.....
Sandy, have you ever thought for a second and ask this question that why your sons are in a war eaither in Iraq or else where? have you ever thought about more than 600,000 of people died in iraq since your great Country invation in 2003 !! I don't know what you are proud of????
You invaded Iraq and Afghanistan and thousands of people died and continue to die tevery day and you are telling others Moran and you can't stand to see other write there opinion here becouse you have sons who are part of these killing every day!
Let me see: South Korea is a communist nation and we isolate them. China is a communist nation and we do business with them, even having them make many of our products (not well overseen by the U.S. interests whose only requirement, apparently, is that they be made cheaply, not necessarily meeting any standards. Imagine for a moment if you were a North Korean and you knew the U.S. – and who knows who else has missiles – that on a moment's notice could incinerate your country. I'm certain the citizens of NK feel as edgy as WE do about Iran. Is the human race going to learn to get along? Or are we going to live in fear of each others' armaments?
South Korea is not a communist nation
You are so clueless
Sorry Jan, but your sweeping generalizations aside, you obviously know very little about either country. Comparing China to North Korea is a bit like comparing an African Bull Elephant to a South American great sloth. I doubt the average North Korean even knows where Iran is located. They live in fear of everyone. North Koreans are constantly trying to avoid malnutrition or being sent to a work camp by some snitch who wants to elevate his own, measly position with the officials. You'll see very little of this in China where banned books are being openly sold on the street and people trade information on how to use proxy servers to read "unofficial" websites. I suggest you read a book like "Aquariums of Pyongyang" or the recently published "Escape from Camp 14" by Blaine Harden before you embarrass yourself again by commenting here without knowledge.
I disagree with you! China's supression of human rights are as stringent as in NK and even worst! Many Chinese dissidents have been imprisoned for life just for trying to appeal to the Chinese government for more democratic reforms and basic human rights! Remember the Tianamen Square crackdown on college students a few years ago? You speak out against the Chinese government and try to address bacic need and you end up in exile for decades! The only difference between China and NK is that China has been around for centuries, has a larger population, and is more advance in science and technology! And I presume if NK or even Cuba for that matter, had a population of say 200 million people, some oil, cupper or other form of natural resource and an established military, we'd be kissing their rear end and giving them a permanent seat on the UN Security Counsel! But when you're a little guy, you're always bullied and trampled on as is the case with NK! And if NK and Iran are axels of evil, then so are China and Russia who both have a more extensive history of human rights violations and and atrocities!
Jan, you have no idea what you are talking about. Please read, do a little research and generally inform yourself before commenting...
They did it because they knew they could. They knew Obama wouldn't do a thing about it except continue to lecture and appease.His first name should be "Neville." And, his last name should be "Chamberlain." And, if any of you don't know to whom or to what I'm referring, look it up. In a history book written before 1968...the ones written since then aren't worth much...they've been too "revised" by leftists, Marxists and Democrats who do their best to hide the truth and make America look evil. And, if you don't know how to look something up, just ask someone from Czechoslovakia. Or, Poland. Or, anywhere in Europe. Or, Russia, even. Especially if they were around during WWII. You might learn something.
Huh? Obama is afraid to do anything about North Korea?
You want to own North Korea like how Bush owned Iraq?
You really think China and Russia are going to sit idly by if the US attacks North Korea?
You really think North Korea is going to just let the US march in peacefully too?
Wow. You sure want to start WWIII huh?
How many *evil-doers* have fallen under Obama? A lot more than they did under Bush or Reagan.
It's 2012 not 1938...look it up.
Wait...isn't education a Liberal pursuit.
@Cheryl
You're an idiot! So what was President Obama supposed to do? Bomb their rocket instillation? Or perhaps he should have declared that NK had WMD's and then take to the UN for an invasion? Why don't you rightwing teabags try to be reasonable and logical for once in your life and stop hating the black man in the white house? Moron!
It's people with old out dated text books and ideas like you Cheryl who are preventing our country from moving forward and being self sustained on renewable energy rather than paying foreign counrties and rich executives more money for a dirty non-renewable enegry source. Maybe if you brought your education to 2012 you would be aware of whats going on in the world. It would be great if people just cared about people and not political party associations.
Do us all a favor, please. Take your old history books, your right-wing republican friends, retire and fade off into history. It's long past due for your generation to just go away. You baby-boomers did nothing to actually contribute to society. Sure you invented nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, gas guzzling automobiles, and coal fired power plants. You did your best to destroy the planet. Your constant wars and agressive acts around the world have ruined America and our economy and now you just want to retire and sponge off of those of us that will have to work our a$$es off for the rest of our lives to fund your over spending and ridiculous behaviour in the past so you can get your medicare and social security. I can't wait for your generation to die off and leave the world to those of us that are younger and have learned from your behaviour.
Your posting is ridiculous. Is there anything you're not afraid of? I think you need to get a life. The countries you've named are currently doing better than we are. You need to stop watching FOX Cheryl.
Obama said no,no. Korea said you are a wimp
wI spent 8 years in the Air Force and was in during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Maybe you are to lame to understand what a nuclear war would entail. Be assured that if North Korea were to launch a missile towards us that it would be shot down and the retalliation would vaporize millions of people and leave a big hole in the ground.
Diplomacy has to be tried first. We are in the position of Teddy Roosevelt which is talk softly but carry a big stick.
You probably are someone who cheered when we invaded Iraq on a lie. Obama got bin Laden who Clinton or Bush didn't.
Sure Obama is a whimp! Like in Obama got Osama! Obama got Ghadaffi! Obama got Awalaki! Rightwing morons!
Well they launched the rocket simply because they are acting like Republicans. See the republicans claim that they are saving the economy by cutting taxes for the super rich. They know you won't be around to see the ending to the story the same way the north koreans never see the rocket crash in to the ocean.
You speak the truth about the Repubs but they believe in what they are spweing – they are indoctrinated like the N. Korean thats the true analogy.
Is that really necessary? Stay on the subject pal.
Nice parallel Kimchi
Exactly!
They ought to blast the remains of their dear leader into orbit. Numbskulls.
Obama told them to do it
Did I miss something? So, because the media reports it's a failure then it's true? Certain EMPs can detonate outside and others detonate inside the Earth's atmosphere. This is merely a test to determine how high up they could get. Now, we're supposed to believe it's a failure? I'm not buying it.
Is anything too clear for ultra-conservatives NOT to create a conspiracy? We have radar and more sophisticated means to measure these things. Who would want to hide this situation? The f#(k!ng thing didn't work! Got it?
First off, I'm the last thing from being an ultra-conservative. That's the problem with people like you. You lump someone into a category. That's your first mistake.
Second- It's not a conspiracy thing. I just choose based on my research and the way our media system works to not believe this junk. Just go your research. You'll see exactly what those nuts over there have been doing. It's merely a test of how high these things can go. I had no doubt it would blow up before it hit the atmosphere.
As far as"Who would want to hide this situation?"- I could think of a ton of possibilities here, especially since a few of my family members are serving overseas and a large amount of troops have been recently moved over to Korea (not just because of the typical war games we do over there this time of the year). However, is it OK to just say "I don't know." So, I don't have the answer for you. I just choose to question the media and the government who have let us down. I'm seeing more and more recent failures and people don't question it.
Do what you want with your life and I'll do my part.
Well if that's the case then it was an abject failure because the thing barely got off the pad.
but the chinese barly pay for a day of work
Talk about elephants in the room. As long as N Korea can suckle the teet of it's communist neighbor, the rest of the world can pound sand. We have zero legs to stand on because US business interests in China always trump any humanitarian interest in the unfortunate starving masses in North Korea. The laughingstock is us. China's government is cut from the same cloth as N Korea, there's just several more decimal places in front of their coffers thanks to our consumer dollars. You want answers on N Korea? Look in the mirror.
Have you purchased anything from China lately? Really?
Everything made by Apple, actually. And my hat.
If you or me or any of the 10 people around you bought ANYTHING today, you probably bought it, or most of it's components from China, my man...
NK should think a little more! I mean, really... letting thousands, maybe even millions of people starve, all for a missle?!?! The money for that missle, could feed like, at least a quarter of those starving people. I mean, its as simple as that!!!!!!!
Yes, but the great leader cares about the missile. Neither him, nor his father, nor his grandfather cared at all about the people. If they did, they wouldn't have turned the nation into a giant slave-labor camp.
North Korea gets their weapons parts from China; Thousands of United States warplanes, ships, and missilles contain fake elecrtonic components from China,leaving them open to malfunction,according to a U.S. Senate committee. You can bet your last fortune cookie that North Korea is aware of China's fake weapons parts,and they are totally pissed!! (search "U.S. Weapons full of fake Chinese Parts").
Apparently they launched this Rocket to Celebrate the previous leader... I mean that is what they keep saying and we keeping ignoring.
If somebody in North Korean farts to loudly, they did it in honor of the great leader and the party. No surprise here.
Sanctions aren't working, so let's send them as much food as possible. They'll feel so full and contented, They will forget about building bad rockets and bombs, and start planting food crops. Swords into Plowshares', just like in the Bible.
When has that worked previously with North Korean? Can you name a time or instance?
Obama had them launch a rocket so people will stop reading stories about poor poor ann mittens and how she had to power through raising 5 kids with UNLIMITED wealth... sigh such a tragic life
And that tragic day she had to fire the nanny because she was eating @ the table with Ann's kids! How dare her!
North Korea gets their weapons parts from China. Thousands of United States warplanes,ships,and missiles contain fake electronic components from China,leaving them open to malfunction, according to a U.S. Senate committee. (search "U.S. Weapons full of fake Chinese parts"). You can bet your last fortune cookie, that North Korea is also aware of the fake chinese parts,and are totally pissed!! There is a 1000% chance, Obama will get rid of our old missiles that work,and save our new missilles with the fake parts from China.
Talk about elephants in the room. As long as N Korea can suckle the teet of it's communist neighbor, the rest of the world can pound sand. We have zero legs to stand on because US business interests in China always trump any humanitarian interest in the unfortunate starving masses in North Korea. The laughingstock is us. China's government is cut from the same cloth as N Korea, there's just several more decimal places in front of their coffers thanks to our consumer dollars. You want answers on N Korea? Look in the mirror.
Yes.... while the mighty USA bombs North Korea North Korea unleashes the same devastation upon South Korea... 100's of thousands of South Koreans perish.... Americans not realizing this would happen blame obama.
"For years, North Korea has been planning to mark 2012 as a year in which it would show the world it has become a great and prosperous nation."
**SNICKERS**
Fear is what moves the world. Fear is a motivator we all understand. Fear is Power and Power is King .Assad is a merchant of fear as is Pyongyang . The same reason we are'nt under constant attack Fear of American Might Charles Bowen Solomon Stone
Fear Mongering is the only reason anyone supports the GOP.. they know the power of ignorant fear
The most obvious thing is that they have no respect for Obama and his "stern warning" within the past 2 weeks. We have become a laughing stock with the willy nilly policies of this Administration. We are endangered world-wide because he means nothing that he says. He is out of the league in know how.
Ah yes, the Dear Leader is smilingly coyly at the United States now secure in the knowledge that he has us in checkmate.
We are doomed. Brace yourself, our government is no match for North Korea.
Grab your tin foil hat Enlightened One and hold on tight.
The difference in a loser and a failure.
A loser never tries.
Good for North Korea.
Never give up.
Is anybody else waiting for the NK headline, "Great Rocket Of The Prosperous North Korea Sabotaged By The Evil United States And It's Puppets"?
If people keep portraying them as villains, then they'll always be villains.
And conversely, if they actually are villains, then people will keep portraying them as such.
Villain sounds too much like they may be a credible threat. They're a dysfunctional nation.
Stubborness. Rather launch it and see it fail than look less "manly" to their armed forces.
I'm sure the Rocket had "Made In China" somewhere stamped on it!
Nice hat. How much did that and the rest of the uniform cost? Now, multiply that by 60% of the total population, which is in the military, and you have enough to feed the country's inhabitants for at least half a year. The math is that simple . . .
all the media there and not one video?? hmm very interesting.
Coveted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has just announced that his country has become the world's foremost leader in bottle rocket technology.
They didn’t “get away with it”. It was an excellent opportunity for some free target practice. I’m for one am glad to know our anti-ballistic missile system works. Additionally, since they “broke the rules”, now we can take a little reprieve from paying them off not to launch…
Well the N.Koreans have a big issue. They are trying to catch up to the rest of the world in many of the basic areas of society. The have it right that being able to close the gap technically will also close the gap in all these other areas. This is why they prosiest with their nuclear program, as it will bring all to bare to make it to work, and in time they will see the benefits of the task. They most likely will never be able to mount a serious threat, as China and Russia will contain them form becoming a power house . So they play the game and try to make that leap into the 21st century
oh look!!! its big and shiny........LETS BLOW IT UP!!!
well i said a few days ago that the ,,,,this ICBM would not fly because the paint was applied inside out , to much friction.
success in this flight would be based on the laminar flow of politics , right china
it's actually the world repressing N.Korea not to do something that the rest of the world can do.
if some other country told you not to celebrate your national holiday the way you've been celebrating for years? Would you just listen and not do it? no patriotism?
Moron.
No they're not a moron, they're bang on. USA caused genocide in North Korea, murdering 25% of their population during the Korean War. North Korea is much more prey than predator. I feel only sympathy for them in the face of tremendous oppression they face.
USA should stop bullying them, and accept NK having basic 21st century things like a space program. All nations, all people have a right to explore this great frontier.
I also think it is likely this launch only failed only due to sabotage by the club of bullies surrounding them. That's the hidden story here I think.
They thought it would be like fireworks to celebrate their beloved founders. The world is laughing at them.
epeen
Why did North Korea launch a rocket?
Easy. The same reason the chicken crossed the road silly.
Why did North Korea launch a rocket?
Easy. The same reason the chicken crossed the road!
No way does China want North Korea to become a democracy. They do not want an ally of the United States on their border.
Do you really think that democracy is this universal value that everybody ought to aspire? Sorry to burst your bubble, but you have to get out more, travel abroad, talk to other people.
...unlike YOU d**khead!
Such trailertrash talk. Here, have a bar of soap.
Exactly. Many Americans are suffering under the delusion that the "American Way" is the only proper way to live. We've been sold that bill of goods since the end of WWII which has been perpetuated by the government and their corporate masters. They don't want informed voters, educated people who might actually have the temerity to question the status quo every now and then.
It's more low wage, economic competition they don't want.
Wow I guess when your people flee as refugees to China for better working/living conditions (or just food in most cases) you really don't have much to lose.
it just depends on your stand point to what you would do in this situitation
..Because it appears they have nothing else to do...