Tuesday, October 24, 2017

N Korea - Last Warning from China


Important Update added !



金正恩为何不敢在十九大试射飞弹 学者给出答案

Why did Kim Jong-Un not dare to test-fire a missile during the
19th Great Congress [i.e. of China's Communist Party CCP] ?
A scholar provides us with the answer !


中国人民大学国际关系教授Chong Sho-Hu对英国媒体BBC表示,如果朝鲜继续导弹试射和核试验,那么这个政权将会死亡。“朝鲜现在正站在深渊边缘,轻轻一推就能使其跌落悬崖。如果朝鲜再试射飞弹,整个国家就会跌入悬崖。”

In an interview with the British medium BBC, Chong Sho-Hu, professor for international relations at the People's University of China, made clear one thing: If North Korea continued to test-fire guided missiles and nuclear tests, that regime will choose to meet with its doom.

"North Korea is just standing at the edge of an abyss. Lightly, one push forward can cause its fall down the cliff. If North Korea test-launches another missile, the whole country could fall into the precipice."

他还对BBC说,“中国没有永远的朋友也没有永远的敌人”,中国与前苏联、越南都曾经关系十分要好,但最后还是发生了战争,而现在大陆与朝鲜的关系还不如当年与苏联、越南的关系。朝鲜试射的行为是“找死”,会使大陆与朝鲜的友谊走到尽头。

He told the BBC as well that "China has neither eternal friends nor eternal enemies". China had undergone relations as close friends with the former Soviet Union and Vietnam, however, much later a war broke out [with each of them] as well. Today now, the mainland [of China]'s relations with North Korea are not like they were that year with the Soviet Union or Vietnam. North Korea's activity of test launches is "seeking death" and could cause the friendship between the mainland and North Korea come to an end.

他续指,北京当局、中国最高领导人都很生气,中国希望惩罚朝鲜。

He additionnally pointed out that, both, Beijing authorities and China's supreme leadership are getting angry. China is expecting to punish North Korea.


[Source: "Forbidden News" 中国禁闻网-禁书网禁书网, Chinese underground news survey on October 24, 2017, quoting an interview only recently broadcast by the BBC Radio 4 with an influential Chinese official, Professor Chong Sho-Hu and who is considered an expert in international relations at China's People's University.]

A related Chinese language tweet was already launched by the editor of "blueprint news" two days before on October 22, 2017. It was targeting, among others, those North Koreans abroad who are able to read Chinese text.

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The FBI is now investigating into the Chinese business structures behind a North Korean weapons deal that was blocked in 2016 when a disguised North Korean ship, the "Jie Shun" sailing under the flag of Cambodia, was stopped in the Egyptian Suez Canal. Hidden under its declared payload of iron ore, Egyptian authorities found about 24.000 rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and other weapons worth some $23 million. Because of Egypt reacting rather reluctantly to an urgent U.S. request to stop the "Jie Shun", the country became immediately suspected of having bought the military load from North Korea for its own armed forces and which is what Egypt's government furiously rejected.

The Chinese Epoch Times, an anti-communist publication, seems to have made its own investigations into HongKong shipping companies probably related to the transport of North Korean boycott merchandise. Here is something they found out:



Excerpt from an Epoch Times 大纪元 article published on October 24, 2017.

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Today on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, U.S. Congress (the House) passed legislation
that seeks to cut off North Korea’s access to financial institutions around the world amid
its nuclear provocations.

“Foreign banks can either do business benefiting N Korea or business with the
United States. They cannot do both,” says the author of the passed bill 415-2.

Source: The Hill political news from Capitol Hill on October 24, 2017.


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Tuesday, October 10, 2017

N Korea - The Last Parade ?


Last Update included on October 11, 02:00 am CET

在十月八日朝鲜举行劳动党七届二中全会

October 8, N Korea summoned the 7th session of the 2nd plenary meeting of its Workers Party.

On that occasion, Kim Jong-Un's younger sister Kim Yo-Jong was promoted as a new member of the Workers Party Politburo, taking the place of an elderly aunt to the Kim family.

Today, October 10, public celebrations will be held as a reminder of the foundation of the N Korean Workers Party in 1945. At the same time, the 20th anniversary of Kim Jong-Un's late father, Kim Jong-Il, coming to power will be celebrated.

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要求多国切断与朝外交 美孤立朝鲜行动开始见效

Demanding all nations to cut off diplomacy with North Korea,
America's isolation of North Korea is beginning to bear fruit.


[Source: Zaobao 早报, Singapore Morning News on October 10, 2017]

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Read more from the Financial Times article published this morning !
(Sorry, you have to subscribe to get the entire news).


Some quotations from the above article:

Lee Cheol-hee, a member of the ruling Democratic party, on Tuesday said hackers had broken into a defence data centre in September last year. He said stolen documents included Operational Plan 5015 — the most recent allied blueprint for war with North Korea.

The plans reportedly includes detailed procedures for a decapitation strike against the North Korean regime — a proposal that has infuriated Kim Jong Un, the country’s supreme leader.

Citing South Korean defence officials, Mr Lee said 235 gigabytes of data had been stolen, although 80 per cent of the documents had yet to be identified. Among the files identified were contingency plans for Seoul’s special forces as well as information on key military facilities and power plants, the lawmaker said.

Editor's Note:

During the day, same news were being published by different sources including BBC. However, I am now convinced that this is not entirely breaking news, as I can remember having read about N Korean military hacking of S Korean forces already months ago in a short notice published on the web.

Furthermore it should be added that, today, South Korean forces on a "ground battle day" made an exhibition of their state-of-the-art tanks and artillery and which helped much in soothing irritated South Korean civilians [Source: Al-Jazeera TV, international channel, in their evening news].

N Korea - Likeliness of War


访朝俄罗斯官员:朝鲜即将再射导弹。
A Russian official who visited North Korea:
N Korea is going to launch another missile.


在2日至6日访问了朝鲜的俄罗斯官员9日表示,朝鲜已经为10日能够发射导弹。

On October 9, a Russian official and who had been to North Korea from October 2-6 declared that North Korea will be able to launch a missile as soon as October 10 [... and which is the date of an important N Korean Workers Party anniversary].

Editor's Note: Anton Morozov, a member of the Russian lower house of parliament’s international affairs committee, and who had visited the DPRK accompanied by two other Russian lawmakers was originally quoted by Russia's news agency RIA for the above information [Source: Reuters].

[Source: DW 多维新闻网 on October 9, 2017]


俄外长:不容许朝鲜半岛紧张局势升级
Russia's foreign minister: An escalation of the tense
situation on the Korean peninsula cannot be tolerated.


[Source: XinHua 新华网, PR China's News Agency on October 9, 2017]


Russia orders U.S. to abandon N Korea fight as major conflict looms.
俄罗斯的外交部长拉夫罗夫警告美国不要冒险使朝鲜危机升级。


Russia has issued a severe warning to Donald Trump as its foreign minister Lavrov said in a phone call with U.S. foreign secretary Tillerson the escalation over North Korea is "unacceptable".

Russia's foreign ministry, said: "Lavrov underlined the inadmissibility of any escalation of tension on the Korean peninsula, to which the USA's military preparations lead, and called for contradictions to be resolved by diplomatic means only."

Mr. Lavrov also told Mr. Tillerson Moscow is demanding the U.S. returns Russian diplomatic property seized in 2016 over suspected Russian interference in the U.S. general election.

The phone call came just hours after Donald Trump's most senior general told the U.S. Army to "stand ready" for war with North Korea.

General James 'Mad dog' Mattis warned it is impossible to tell what the future holds for the crisis, but urged U.S. troops to be prepared for a confrontation with Kim Jong-Un.

[Source: Quotations from Express, UK, on October 9, 2017. That source published as well a series of pictures showing Russian border guards amassing on the North Korean border and patrolling the top of Zaozyonara Hill, a meeting point between Russia, North Korea and China.]


Australians fear North Korea standoff will lead to war.
(The Guardian Essential poll)


Australians are concerned that the current standoff between the United States and North Korea will lead to all-out military confrontation, with 55% fearing that outcome, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll and which included 1,846 voters:

16% war very likely
39% war somewhat likely
24% war somewhat unlikely
12% war very unlikely

Women were more pessimistic about the brinkmanship leading to war than men – 61% compared with 49%. People over 55 were less likely than younger people to believe war likely.

[Source: Quotations from The Guardian, UK, on October 9, 2017]




Monday, October 09, 2017

Geldwäsche an Nordkoreas Botschaften


Geldwäsche an den Botschaften Nordkoreas
Money Laundering at N Korean Embassies


在国际社会对朝鲜制裁越来越严格之后,朝鲜通过驻外使馆拼命敛财,赚外汇方式堪称“百态”。

Nachdem die Völkergemeinschaft zunehmend strengere Sanktionen über Nord Korea verhängt hat, verschafft sich das Land verzweifelt Geldmittel [d.h. auf illegalem Wege] mit Hilfe seiner ausländischen Botschaften. Die Art Profit nach einem Devisenumtausch- Modell zu machen, kann dabei [d.h. nach chinesischem Sprachgebrauch] als die "Methode der hundert Konditionen" bezeichnet werden.

After the foreign community imposed increasingly stringent sanctions on North Korea, the country is desperately raising funds [i.e. by illegal means] with the help of its foreign embassies. Making profit by a foreign exchange pattern can be called "the one hundred conditions".

美国《纽约时报》7日报道称,朝鲜将其在全球40多个国家的大使馆用于各种赚取外汇的生意。将外交公馆用于赚钱,在国际法上是非法的。

Nach einem Bericht der New York Times vom 7. [Oktober] praktiziert Nord Korea jede Art von einträglichen Geschäften mit dem Devisenumtausch an seinen Botschaften in weltweit mehr als 40 Ländern. Die Nutzung von ausländischen Residenzen mit dem Ziel Profite zu machen ist dabei nach internationalem Recht unzulässig.

在朝鲜驻波兰华沙的大使馆里,有40多家朝鲜企业和团体落户于此并开展活动,从制药公司到广告公司、赛艇俱乐部,各种名目不一而足。

In der Botschaft Nordkoreas im polnischen Warschau gibt es mehr als 40 nordkoreanische Unternehmen und Niederlassungen von Organisationen, die hier ihre Aktivitäten entfalten, angefangen von Firmen zur Herstellung von Heilmitteln bis hin zu Werbeagenturen.


[Quelle: Auszüge aus einem Artikel der DW 多维新闻 vom 9. Oktober 2017]

Thursday, October 05, 2017

Nordkorea - Devisen aus Deutschland ?


Nordkoreas Devisen aus Deutschland
oder
" Der Teufel ist ein Eichhörnchen "


Die deutsche Redensart vom Teufel düfte am ehesten umschreiben wie es Nordkorea gelingt, trotz internationaler Sanktionen noch immer Devisen aus westlichen Ländern abzuziehen.

Der im folgenden zitierte U.S. Beitrag, der eigentlich für amerikanische Leser geschrieben wurde, zeigt, wie das Regime in Pyongyang jeweils Zehntausende seiner Arbeitskräfte nach China und in andere Länder exportiert um sie dort unter Bewachung und ständiger Indoktrination arbeiten zu lassen. Die der Landessprache unkundigen Nordkoreaner unterzeichnen Verträge, die dem jeweiligen Arbeitgeber günstig erscheinen müssen, die aber im allgemeinen von den lokalen Rechtsnormen nicht wesentlich abweichen dürften. Nordkoreanische Bewacher zwingen dann ihre Landsleute in einer Art geschlossenen Gesellschaft mit Gemeinschaftsunterkünften zu leben. Bis zu 70% ihres Lohnes wird ihnen abgenommen und auf nordkoreanische Regierungskonten überwiesen. Bei Monatslöhnen, die in China eine Größenordnung von geschätzten 300 $ für solche "modernen Sklaven" erreichen, könnte man leicht ausrechnen, in welcher Größenordnung die nordkoreanischen Deviseneinnahmen bei, sagen wir, 30.000 [Russland] bis 50.000 heimlichen Zwangsarbeitern pro Land liegen könnten.

" At a time when North Korea faces sanctions on many exports, the government is sending tens of thousands of workers worldwide, bringing in revenue estimated at anywhere from $200 million to $500 million a year. That could account for a sizable portion of North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs, which South Korea says have cost more than $1 billion. [=> d.h. 1 Milliarde $ im U.S. Sprachgebrauch]

While the presence of North Korean workers overseas has been documented, the AP investigation reveals for the first time that some products they make go to the United States, which is now a federal crime. AP also tracked the products made by North Korean workers to Canada, Germany and elsewhere in the European Union."


Da viele dieser Nordkoreaner in der Lebensmittelbranche arbeiten, vor allem bei der Verarbeitung von Meeresfrüchten im chinesischen Hunchun an der Grenze zu Nordkorea, bleibt es nicht aus, dass die von ihnen erzeugten Produkte ihren Weg auch in deutsche Supermärkte finden könnten. Der amerikanische Bericht erwähnt hier ausdrücklich die Lebensmittelketten Aldi, Penny und Rewe, wobei allerdings nicht ganz klar wird, ob hier eher die U.S.-Filialen der deutschen Vertriebsgesellschaften gemeint sind.

Möglicherweise wird der rechtliche Rahmen bei solchen Handelsgeschäften mit ausländischen Vertriebspartnern eingehalten. Das Phänomen der unterbezahlten Zwangsarbeit wäre dann nur im Herkunftsland der Waren, also vor allem in China zu ahnden.

" Some U.S. brands and companies had indirect ties to the North Korean laborers in Hunchun, including Chicken of the Sea, owned by Thai Union. Trade records show shipments came from a sister company of the Hunchun factory in another part of China, where Thai Union spokeswoman Whitney Small says labor standards are being met and the employees are all Chinese. Small said the sister companies should not be penalized.

Shipments also went to two Canadian importers, Morgan Foods and Alliance Seafood, which did not respond to requests for comment.

Boxes at the factories had markings from several major German supermarket chains and brands - All-Fish distributors, REWE and Penny grocers and Icewind brand. REWE Group, which also owns the Penny chain, said that they used to do business with Hunchun Dongyang but the contract has expired. All the companies that responded said their suppliers were forbidden to use forced labor.

..........

This means Americans buying salmon for dinner at Walmart or ALDI may inadvertently have subsidized the North Korean government as it builds its nuclear weapons program, an AP investigation has found. Their purchases may also have supported what the United States calls "modern day slavery" - even if the jobs are highly coveted by North Koreans. "


Da der Import von Produkten aus Nordkorea in die U.S.A. neuerdings ein Bundesvergehen darstellt und die chinesische Regierung auf der Grundlage kürzlicher UN-Sanktionen die Beendigung aller Geschäftsbeziehungen zu Nordkorea bis Januar 2018 angeordnet hat, dürften Nordkorea's Devisenquellen weiterhin schrumpfen ohne jedoch vollständig zu versiegen. Es ist also im Zweifelsfall die Eigeninitiative der westlichen Konsumenten angesagt, um das Regime des nordkoreanischen Kriegstreibers Kim Jong-Un weiterhin wirtschaftlich zu schwächen. Schließlich besteht doch immer die Möglichkeit, dass der Verbraucher "intensiv und öffentlich nachfragt" um dieses Ärgernis mittelfristig einzudämmen.

[Hauptquelle: Click2Houston zitiert am 4. Oktober 2017 einen investigativen Bericht amerikanischer Journalisten der Associated Press International AP. Zitate aus der von mir verwendeten U.S. Quelle Click2Houston sind farbig markiert und enthalten weitere Informationen.]

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Der nachfolgende Beitrag zeigt, dass der offizielle Außenhandel zwischen Deutschland und Nordkorea dagegen eher unbedeutend ist. Was aber nicht bedeuten soll, dass nicht auch bereits geringe Millionenbeträge zur Grundversorgung der Familie Kim und zur Erhaltung ihres Privatstaates beitragen können.

Der chinesische Originaltext wurde einem Internet-Portal für Exilchinesen in Kanada entnommen. Er beschäftigt sich in seinem Hauptteil mit dem Handelsvolumen zwischen der VR China und Nordkorea, das wesentlich größere Ausmaße erreicht als das zwischen Deutschland und Pyongyang.




Abbildung: Nordkoreas Botschaft in Deutschland


什么?德国同朝鲜也作生意?

Wie bitte ? Auch Deutschland treibt Handel mit Nordkorea ?


长久以来,同朝鲜的贸易对德国而言已是无足轻重,不过,它并没有完全停止。 据联邦统计局公布的数据,今年5月德国从朝鲜的进口额超过120万欧元,也是2014年9月以来的最高值。 同期,德国向朝鲜的出口额为32万欧元。

Seit langem gibt es den Handel zwischen Nordkorea und Deutschland, wenn er auch von geringer Bedeutung ist. Wie dem auch sei, er wurde nicht vollständig beendet.

Vom Bundesamt für Statistik veröffentlichte Daten belegen, dass die Importe aus Nordkorea im Mai diesen Jahres [d.h. 2017] den Betrag von 1,2 Millionen € überstiegen. Das wäre der höchste [Monats-]Betrag seit September 2014. Im selben Zeitraum hat Deutschland Exporte im Wert von 320.000 € nach Nordkorea getätigt.

去年,德国向朝鲜的出口总额为570万欧元,进口400万欧元。 从朝鲜主要进口金属原材料、金属制品以及数据处理仪器,向朝鲜出口的产品首先是药品,其次是机械。

Im letzten Jahr [d.h. 2016] erreichten die Exporte Deutschlands nach Nordkorea einen Gesamtbetrag von 5,7 Millionen €, die Importe lagen bei 4,0 Millionen €. Die wichtigsten Importe aus Nordkorea reichen von metallischen Rohstoffen und verarbeiteten Metallen [Halbzeug] über Metallwaren bis zu Geräten zur Verarbeitung von Daten.


[Quelle: 51.CA 加国华人网上家园, chinesisches Netzwerk in Kanada am 11.9.2017]

Die Aufbereitung des amerikanischen Untersuchungsberichtes, die Übersetzung der chinesischen Quelle und der Rahmenkommentar stammen vom Herausgeber der "blueprint news" - © Ulysses 2017.

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Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Kim Jong-Un Erasing further Family Members ?


Update related to N Korea added below !



Kim Han-Sol

金正男之子逃亡 过境台湾惊惶30小时

In the last 30 hours: Son of Kim Jong-Nam fled panic-stricken via Taiwan.


With the help of a North Korean dissidents' group, the son of recently assassinated Kim Jong-Nam, exiled brother to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, fled his residence in Macao, China.

21-year-old Kim Han-Sol had criticised the regime in Pyongyang like his father and who was recently killed in a nerve gas attack at Kuala Lumpur airport, Malaysia, most probably by agents of the North Korean regime. Kim Jong-Nam's bloodline made him a potential threat to the Kim dynasty, same goes now for his son Kim Han-Sol who can be regarded as a nephew to Kim Jong-Un. Kim Han-Sol was accompanied by his sister and his mother.

The dissidents' group involved said it sought help from foreign governments for the rescue of Kim Han Sol. The US, China and the Netherlands allegedly provided assistance with travel, visas or other aspects of the plan, according to the group. China’s foreign ministry said it had no information on the rescue, and the Netherlands and US declined to comment.

This comes at a time when two women charged for carrying out the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam "pleaded not guilty" in court, even though video footage from Kuala Lumpur airport cameras could serve as a proof.

[Main Sources: 联合早报, Chinese Morning News from Singapore on October 3, 2017, and The Australian on October 2]


Update on October 4, 2017:

There's a U.S. report on North Koreans Working Abroad. Even though it's written for American readers, you should find it interesting as well if you were from Germany. You might be astonished to recognize the brands .....

A Reuters report is quoting Russia's president Putin: Putin says military strike against North Korea not sure to succeed.


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Friday, September 29, 2017

China Shuts Down N Korean Enterprises


2nd Update added on September 30, 2017.



中国下令关闭朝鲜在华企业

China ordered the closure of North Korean enterprises in China.


中国政府称,为执行联合国针对朝鲜的第2375号决议,朝鲜实体或个人在中国设立的企业应在该决议通过之日(9月12日)起120天内关闭。中国企业在境外与朝鲜实体或个人设立的合资合作企业也应按照上述决议应予以关闭。

The Chinese Government says it is going to implement the United Nations's resolution no. 2375 directed against North Korea. North Korean entities of enterprise established in China as well as individually founded businesses must be closed down within 120 days starting from September 11, the day when the resolution passed.

Chinese enterprises acting abroad together with North Korean entities or as individually founded joint venture businesses should be closed down as well in accordance with the above-mentioned resolution.

中国占朝鲜对外贸易的比例超过80%。从贸易公司到餐馆,中国很多城市都可见朝鲜公司,特别是在中朝边境附近。

China accounts for a proportion of more than 80% of North Korea's foreign trade. From trading firms to restaurants, North Korean companies can be seen in many Chinese towns, especially in the vicinity of the Chinese-North Korean border.


[Source: Wall Street Journal 华尔街日报 on September 29, 2017]




An assessment of North Korea's military power (published on July 19, 2017).


朝鲜军民比升至1:3,神经异常敏感半岛出路在哪?

The ratio between North Korean troops and civilians
has risen to 1:3. - Nerves react unusually sensitive
when it comes to ask for a way out for the peninsula.


汇通网讯——9月28日,朝鲜方面宣布,已经有大约470万名学生和工人志愿申请或者重新应召加入朝鲜人民军。但如果相关报道属实,朝军已新征了近20%的人口入役,加上现有逾100万的兵力,朝鲜军队人数将找到总人口约25%。

Message compiled from the web on September 28: North Korea declared, about 4.700.000 students and workers are already willing to apply for entering or are summoned again to enter the North Korean People's Army. But if interrelated reports are true and North Korea already levied new troops near to 20% of the population to enter into service, this will add to the existing military force and which is exceeding one million (1.000.000). The number of North Korea's military units will then reach out for 25% of the overall population.


[Editor: The overall population of North Korea is considered to be about 25.000.000 朝鲜总人口约2500万]

此外,韩联社援引朝鲜喉舌《劳动新闻》报道称,志愿加入朝军新兵中有大约120万人为女性。

Moreover, the South Korean [news agency] quoted North Korea's mouthpiece, the "Workers Party News", in a report that said: Among those willing to enter the North Korean army as new soldiers are about 1.200.000 women.


[Source: Financial World 金融界 China based JRJ.COM, September 29, 2017]







What Chinese think of North Korea (published on May 14, 2017).



朝鲜来信:搞核试验时,我们过着这样的生活

A letter from the DPRK: As to the nuclear testing, that's the life we lead.


今年9月,《华尔街日报》记者前往平壤,在严密控制下进行了一系列参观采访。从讲着英文的外交官、摆弄玩具枪炮的孩子到随处可见的原子图案,平壤反复强调着这样一个讯息:朝鲜绝不会放弃核武。

This year in September, the Wall Street Journal reporter to Pyongyang carried out a series of visits and interviews under tight control.

From the perspective of an English diplomat and from children tinkering with toy guns up to the atomic [war] pattern everywhere to be seen, Pyongyang repeatedly stresses this kind of message: The DPRK will never give up its nuclear weapons.





[Source: Wall Street Journal 华尔街日报 on September 30, 2017]

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Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Donald Trump - Still Calling Names




Today the Voice of America, Chinese edition, is referring to Donald Trump's bad habit of publicly calling names on people he doesn't like. Here are some examples:

Chuck Todd - "Sleepy Eyes"
Mr. Todd is an American television journalist, moderator and the political director for NBC News. His new nickname might be related to Trump's hate of free media journalists who produce what Trump calls "the fake news".

Elizabeth Warren - "Pocahontas"
A member of the Democratic Party, she is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts. Warren was formerly a professor of law, and taught at the University of Texas School of Law, the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and most recently at Harvard Law School. A prominent scholar specializing in bankruptcy law, Warren was among the most cited law professors in the field of commercial law before starting her political career.

By the way, Donald Trump must have some experience with bankruptcy law himself as is being indicated by his own proceedings as a business man.

Hillary Clinton - "Crooked Hillary" - "Nasty Woman" is sufficiently known as Trump's competitor for U.S. presidency and as a former Secretary of State and chief of the State Department.

Not to forget two prominent leaders of the opposing Democratic Party, Chuck Schumer - "Clown" and Nancy Pelosi - "Loser".

And now it's Kim Jong-un - "Rocket Man on a suicide mission for himself".

Even though tough words might be suitable for the North Korean leader who seemingly doesn't understand another language, Trump's inaugural speech before the United Nations General Assembly should have been of another quality. Especially when it comes to the verbal attack on Iran putting the Islamic Republic near to North Korea while serious western sources are pointing out that Iran is still keeping to the conditions of an earlier reached nuclear deal. Maybe a recent meeting between North Korea's envoy and Iran's president Rouhani has triggered off Trump's latest outbreak of adversion against Iran.

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Tuesday, September 05, 2017

N Korea - Electromagnetic Mass Destruction




North Korea threat: EMP attack can destroy
a nation’s entire infrastructure in a flash.

KIM Jong-un needs only one hydrogen bomb to
bring America to its knees. And he knows it.

This is the nation-wide effect
it can have in nanoseconds.


These are today's headlines of news.com.au, an Australian online news service. You should read the complete article on the consequences of an Electromagnetic Pulse EMP that is created by a powerfull nuclear explosion at high altitude and that can knock out, both, electric and electronic infrastructure of a targeted country without the need to precisely hit and destroy a specific target. It only needs what Kim Jong-un still has in his hands.

The Australian article comes at a time when North Korean media praise the EMP as a weapon to bring down the U.S. after Kim Jong-un obviously succeeded in creating enough nuclear fire power to get in reach of such possibility. However, things are not so easy for the North Koreans:

" The nuclear arsenals of the United States are hardened against any EMP pulse. It’s also one of the reasons so much effort and money is invested on near-invisible and widely dispersed ballistic missile submarines.

The instant a North Korean ICBM was detected to be on a trajectory capable of delivering such a high-altitude blow, a retaliatory firestorm of nuclear warheads would almost certainly be unleashed on North Korea itself.

Such is the grim nature of Mutually Assured Destruction — the Cold War philosophy that compelled cool minds to avert the catastrophe which could have resulted from the likes of the 1960s Cuban missile crisis. "




The Apprentice Wizard


Let's now sum up the facts to get a realistic view on the matter:

The U.S. and North Korea could easily annihilate
each other in a showdown of nuclear power that
is lasting no longer than one single hour.

Thereby not to mention the huge "collateral damage"
left to neighbouring countries and the major global
consequences in the fields of economy and finance.


Sunday, September 03, 2017

N Korea - Test of Hydrogen Bomb


Last Update: September 4



朝鲜称成功完成氢弹试验 时间压力转到美国

North Korea declares having successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.
Now pressure is turning against America.


据中国地震网测定,9月3日11时30分01秒在朝鲜(北纬41.35度,东经129.11度)发生6.3级地震,震源深度0千米。

According to measured data from China's Seismological Network, an earthquake of 6.3 [Richter] magnitude should have happened today, September 3 at 11:30:01 [Beijing Time], in North Korea at a latitude of 41.35 degrees north and a longitude of 129.11 degrees east. The epicenter should have been near to the surface.


[Source: SINA 新浪新闻中心 on 3rd September 2017]




Earthquakes in North Korea due to nuclear tests [BBC Chinese]



Spokesman for South Korea's National Earthquake and Volcano Center
showing the epicenter of the Sept. 3 earthquake and which is situated in
North Korea's nuclear test region. [Epoch Times 大纪元 on Sept. 4]



North Korean propaganda photo showing "Kim Jong-un
getting informed about missile-fitting hydrogen bomb".




Latest News: South Korea holds Live-Fire Missile Drill


South Korea's military said on Monday (September 4) that the simulated target for its missile test was "set in consideration of" Punggye-ri, the site where North Korea carried out its test.

"The training demonstrates the South Korean military's resolve to destroy not only the origin of provocation but also the enemy's leadership and supporting forces if they threaten the security of our people," Army Col. Roh Jae-cheon, the army spokesman is quoted by South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

[Source: BBC World Service on September 4, 2017]

Friday, September 01, 2017

Russia's Putin on Korea Conflict




普京表示朝鲜半岛问题应通过对话解决

Putin is convinced that any solution for the ‬problem of
the Korean peninsula could only be found by dialogue.


据塔斯社1日援引普京的话报道,事实证明,靠向朝鲜政府施压以使其暂停核导活动是错误的, 只有通过有关各方开展直接对话才能解决朝鲜半岛问题,而且这一对话应建立在不设前提条件、 不相互挑衅、不相互施压、不相互用武力威胁、不相互打“口水仗”的基础上。

Based on a TASS [Russia's news agency] report from 1st September Putin should have said that reality proves it would be a mistake to rely on putting pressure on North Korea to make it stop its nuclear missile activity for the short term.

Only by proceeding through a direct dialogue, both sides are interested to develop, a solution for the problem of the Korean peninsula could be reached.

Furthermore, that dialogue should be established on the basis of no preconditions, no mutual provocation, no mutual application of pressure, no mutual military threats and, as well, no mutual "spitting battles".


[Source: XinHua - New China 新华社 on 1st September, 2017]




"Spitting Battle":


North Korean fisherboat chased away from Japanese fishing grounds near Yamato Bank by Japanese Coastguard with the help of their water cannon. Since July 2017, North Korean boats had already ignored more than 820 coastguard warnings.

[Source: FT中文 on 1st September 2017]

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Visitor from South Korea.


Tuesday, August 29, 2017

South Korea - More Action Less Talks


After North Korea targeted Japanese air space with a ballistic missile last night, Japan and South Korea now tend to revise their strategy in the conflict.

Seoul’s presidential spokesman Park Su-hyun said four F-15 fighters dropped eight MK-84 bombs - each with the explosive yield of a ton - that accurately hit targets at a military field in Taebaek, near the border to North Korea on the eastern coast of the peninsula.

The South Korean defence ministry is reportedly drafting a new plan to thwart a full-fledged North Korean military offensive and occupy Pyongyang within weeks without waiting for US troop reinforcements. The gist of the plan is “the mobilisation of airborne troops and Marines to infiltrate Pyongyang to quickly bring down the North Korean regime.”

Vice Defense Minister Suh Choo-suk said: “In the event of an invasion from the North, we will engage in an aggressive, deep-offensive operation” inside North Korea.

It also includes pre-emptive strikes against North Korean nuclear weapons and missile bases as well as operations to assassinate high-ranking North Korean officials.

[Source: The Australian on August 29, 2017, at 15:43 local time]


North Korea neighbours DROP BOMBS near border as nations 'ready for war'.


[Source: Daily Star, UK, on August 29, 2017]




朝鲜再射导弹 半岛对峙加剧

With North Korea launching further missiles,
confrontation on the peninsula will increase.


分析人士认为,朝鲜短时间内密集试射导弹,朝鲜半岛局势再次陷入轮番升级的恶性循环。

Analysts consider: With North Korea massing its missile launches within a short period of time, the situation on the Korean peninsula will be further driving into a circulus vitiosus of increased escalation.


[Source: XinHua - New China 新华社, China's news agency, on August 29 at 21:38 Beijing time]




Midnight news on August 29, 2017.





朝鲜将进行更多向太平洋试射导弹训练

North Korea will carry out more launching drills
of guided missiles targeting the Pacific Ocean.


The article is referring to information launched by North Korea's "Korean Central News Agency 朝鮮中央通讯社. The North Korean report confirms the preferential use of Hwasong-12 intermediate range ballistic missiles on special order by leader Kim Jong-un.

[Source: Singapore Morning News 新加坡的联合早报 on August 31, 2017]

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Monday, August 28, 2017

Missile Alert - Japan Warning Citizens


Missile Warning for North-Eastern Japan at 06:06 Japanese Time
North Korean Ballistic Missile Passing over Japanese Territory
NHK TV Calling Citizens for Taking Shelter in Solid Buildings or
Underground Structures.





Update for Tuesday, August 29, at 03:30 CET:
The North Korean missile reportedly passed over Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido before it fell into the Pacific Ocean broken into three pieces. The Japanese government immediately assembled for an emergency meeting. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga called the test a clear violation of United Nations resolutions.

A South Korean military official told NBC News that the missile was fired around 5:57 a.m. local time on Tuesday. The official said that the missile flew for about 2,700 kilometers (1,678 miles), reaching a maximum altitude of 550 kilometers (342 miles). U.S. Pacific Command projected that the missile splashed down at 6:29 a.m. local time.

North Korea confirmed that the missile launched into the direction of north-eastern Japan was a Hwasong-12 intermediate range ballistic missile, the same type North Korea is planning to use for the "encircling fire" of Guam.

On Tuesday morning, August 29, the Dow Jones industrial average futures opened more than 100 points lower following the missile news, while the dollar fell 0.5 percent against the Japanese yen. There had already been nervousness in Asian markets on Monday, August 28, related to the latest tensions caused by North Korea's missile tests.

North Korea - War of Video Games


Today, August 28, Chinese networks (i.e. SINA and Global Network) report on a new video game launched by North Korea.



朝鲜公司发布3D射击游戏 美国士兵成“猎杀”对象

North Korean company informed about 3D shooting game.
U.S. soldiers become targets for "hunting and killing".


"Chase and Kill the U.S. Guys" “猎杀美国佬” is the title of that video game. The player will be able to interfere "by using a sniper's gun to kill and thus hit back at [local] U.S. troops after a potential invasion by the enemy" “潜入敌后用狙击枪射杀击倒美国士兵”.

[Source: SINA 新浪新闻中心 on August 28, 2017]


On the opposite side, there is another video game related to life in North Korea and which I found in some Chinese network. It seems to be of western origin and intended as propaganda, even though it can be downloaded from different regional Chinese servers as the description page is suggesting. Technical requirements are rather basic (Windows XP upwards, 500 MB).

The company behind that game says it is creating "offensive visual novels".

The plot of that game is being told in English and is dealing with a U.S visitor to Pyongyang who is expecting to meet there with his two North Korean penpals. It turns out that both are female soldiers, one working for North Korea's Intelligence and the other serving in the Military Police. The game is now about his chances to survive that visit. Therefore the game has been named:

Stay ! Stay ! Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

My first (and only) Trip to North Korea.







Saturday, August 26, 2017

N Korea - Multiple Missile Launch


North Korea fires multiple unidentified projectiles
off its east coast, report says.


Summary from different sources:
A first evaluation of the missile launch made western military analysts assume that "two of three short-range missiles failed in flight". At that time it could not be excluded that one single long-range ballistic missile might be accompanied by several short-range missiles launched in short sequence from North Korea's eastern Kangwon province.

The latest military evaluation made by South Korean forces, however, lead to the assumption the North tested its new 300-millimeter multiple-tube rocket-launcher that is able to launch up to eight "artillery missiles" which can create their own thrust and are guided during delivery. Such missiles are difficult to distinguish from single-launched short-range ballistic missiles and can reach many U.S. military bases located in S Korea as their range of delivery is about 180 km.



KN-09 300-mm multiple rocket launcher


[Source: Reuters - CNBC on August 26, 2017, at 01:00 CET and NY Times - CBC Canada - Chosun South Korea at 17:00 CET]




韩媒:朝鲜往日本海发射一枚疑似弹道导弹

South Korean media: One suspected ballistic missile
launched by North Korea towards the Japanese Sea.


This news is referring to the first launch of a North Korean short-range missile at 05:49 Beijing Time. It is expected to cover a range of 250 km max. and is considered as the answer to U.S.-South Korean joint military drills.

[Source: Global Network - People's Daily 环球网——人民日报, China based news on August 26, 2017, at 06:39 local time]

..............................




商务部:禁止朝鲜实体或个人来华新设合资企业

Ministry of Commerce: DPRK entities and persons are
banned from founding new joint-ventures with China.


[Source: People's Network 人民网 on August 26, 2017]

..............................




Brazilian visitor to "blueprint news" and who is interested in Chinese rocket technology.


Friday, August 25, 2017

N Korea - Verbal Attack on Britain and China




Shortly before prime minister Theresa May's visit to Japan ...



朝鲜公开指责中国:青蛙忘记自己当过蝌蚪

North Korea is openly criticizing China: The frog
doesn't remember having developed from a tadpole.


China's intention to seriously carry through UN sanctions imposed on the DPRK while at the same time insisting on bilateral talks between North Korea and the U.S., has led to tensions between long-standing allies North Korea and China.

朝鲜官媒齐声炮轰北京:别忘了本!

North Korean state media are unanimously "shelling" Beijing: Never forget !


[Source: DW 多维新闻网 on August 25, 2017]


社评:美朝需要能够识别、接住对方的善意

Editorial: America and North Korea need to be able to
recognize and connect with the adversary's good will.


[Source: Sina 新浪新闻中心, China based news center on August 24, 2017]

North Korea - Ukrainian Missile Plans

Some hours befored, America's TV channel CNN came about with a footage video showing the proceedings of arrest of two North Korean spies who were charged for photographing secret material concerning Ukrainian missile design. At the moment of their arrest in 2011, however, they were going to photograph fake material. Both N Koreans were sentenced to eight years in prison. According to English subtitles, Ukrainian security services released the footage of its operation in order " to counter what it says are claims that their missile designs are now being used in North Korea's latest launches ".

On August 15, 2017, blueprint news already quoted a Chinese language source that hinted at Ukrainian technology being used by N Korea.








[Source. CNN on August 24, 2017]

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Reminder of N Korean and US Stupidity


In the middle of rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, an important Chinese news center reminds us of a similar situation during the cold-war era that might have led to a nuclear confrontation as well. The starting point of that conflict was of rather low importance: It was about U.S. troops trying to cut a tree in the neighbourhood of the Panmunjon negociation center which is accessible to both sides.

美军砍了一棵树 却差点导致朝鲜半岛发生核大战

U.S. military is cutting a tree - yet is failing to
start a big nuclear war on the Korean peninsula.


自从朝鲜战争告一段落之后,朝鲜半岛一直笼罩着战争的阴云,久久未能散去。到了1976年, 南北双方剑拔弩张的态势达到了顶点,甚至险些打起核战争! 这次事件,竟然是由一颗在板门店朝韩共同警戒区内生长的杨树引发的。

After the chapter of the Korean War had been written, the Korean peninsula was continuously shrouded in dark clouds of war that would not disperse for a very long time.

When in 1976 the atmosphere between the North and the South became most sticky, the situation reached a culmination point and even got close to the outbreak of a nuclear war!

That situation was surprisingly originating from some spot where poplars were growing in the Panmunjon zone of high alert belonging to, both, North and South Korea.



The following photos from China's military archives should speak for themselves!



The site of Panmunjon.



U.S. and North Korean troops assembling at a tree the U.S. want to cut.



The debate gets out of control.









Getting the work done.



South Korean troops for support.



U.S. Victory !


[Source: Sina 新浪新闻中心, China, on August 18, 2017]

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Breaking News and Comments:

South China Morning Post - August 20, 2017
TRUMP’S NUCLEAR STANDOFF WITH N KOREA:
WHY THIS IS NO CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS





Sunday Express / UK - August 20, 2017
N KOREA WAR: Britain promises to send
nuclear sub to help Trump blitz Kim Jong-un


Today, August 20, 2017, the Chinese news center Sina 新浪新闻中心 came about with a cryptic message in one of its headlines:



朝鲜“白头山伟人称颂大会”是什么大会?

North Korea: "Mount Peaktu's big man is summoning the General Assembly".
What is meant with General Assembly?


8月15日,平壤人民文化宫,2017年白头山伟人称颂大会在此举行。

August 15, from the People's Palace for Culture in Pyongyang the 2017 meeting of the General Assembly was summoned to meet under the guidance of 'Mount Paektu's Big Man'.


That means the General Assembly of the People is being summoned by leader Kim Jong-un. The unusual expression 'Mount Paektu's Big Man' might possibly hint at the historic stronghold of Mount Paektu where Kim Jong-un could have decided to establish the headquarters of his nuclear forces during a military conflict to come.

Mount Paektu (Chinese: Whitehead Mountain 白头山) has become known as "the sacred mountain of the revolution". It is an active volcano on the border between North Korea and China. During the Japanese occupation and the Korean War it served as a military stronghold for Communist leader Kim Il-sung whose son Kim Jong-il was allegedly born there.

As Mount Paektu experiences a steady rise of its underground magma level and is known to explode to life every 100 years (last eruption: 1903), it would be highly risky to nuke its mountaineous neighbourhood, in case North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might install there his headquarters. In case of a natural catastrophe, China would have to suffer most from the fallout of volcano ashes and probably related climate change. That is one among other reasons why China is fearing the outbreak of war between North Korea and the U.S..