North Korea - Acting on Danger of Chemical Warfare

Important UPDATE inserted further down on April 5

朝鲜谴责美国化学部队再次派驻韩国

North Korea rebukes repeated deployment of a U.S. chemical warfare unit to South Korea.

The following quotation has been chosen from a bulletin launched by the secretary's office of a "United Committee for Peace of the North Korean Homeland". It was published yesterday, April 3, by People's Network 人民网, Beijing.

This came on the same day that Pyongyang decided to exclude South Korean working staff from the joint industrial zone of Gaesong. That decision is expected to cut off an important source of hard currency for North Korea. [Source: European and Chinese media on March 3/4, 2013]

中新网4月4日电 综合报道：朝鲜禁止韩方人员进入开城园区 半岛局势步步趋紧



公报说，驻扎在美国华盛顿州西雅图的美国陆军第23化学大队再次派驻韩国，该部队曾驻扎在韩国庆尚北道的美军基地一直到2004年，后撤回美国本土，曾参加过朝鲜战争等。美国再次向韩国派驻化学部队，是针对朝鲜的又一不可容忍的挑衅行为，表明了要给朝鲜民族带来核惨祸和生化战争灾难的犯罪企图。朝鲜军民绝不会对美韩的生化战活动袖手旁观，正如已经宣布的那样，不管美国是用核还是生化武器进攻，都将在初战就被粉碎。

The bulletin is saying that U.S. Army's 23rd chemical [warfare] battalion, stationed in Seattle / Washington, is being deployed to South Korea once again. This unit [was] stationed on a U.S. military base in South Korea's Northern Gyeongsang Province until 2004, later returned to U.S. homeland [likely] to take part in [future] warfare against North Korea.

When the U.S. are once again deploying that chemical [warfare] unit to South Korea, this is a provocative behaviour directed against North Korea which cannot be tolerated again. It is clearly showing the criminal attempt of claiming to inflict horrible nuclear disaster and crude chemical warfare sufferings on the North Korean nation.

North Korea's army and people can by no means look unconcerned on U.S. and South Korean crude chemical warfare manoeuvres, as has already been stated. No matter if America is using nuclear or crude chemical weapons in an offensive, [everything] used in the very first battle will be smashed.

[Source: news.ifeng 凤凰网 quoting People's Network on March 3, 2013]

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

Editor's Note:

There is some ambiguity in the Chinese language regarding the expression 大队 which can be translated as either "regiment" or "battalion". As to the above mentioned U.S. Army unit serving in Korea there are two related links: The "23rd Infantry Regiment" and the "23rd Chemical Battalion". While the North Korean source is obviously referring to the 23rd Chemical Battalion, the 23rd Regiment as well served in Korea as a superior army unit, it seems. However, the 23rd Chemical Battalion should have its homeland garrison at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The facility is an amalgamation of the United States Army's Fort Lewis and the United States Air Force's McChord Air Force Base which merged on 1 February 2010 into a joint base located in the federal state of Washington near Tacoma, Olympia and Seattle.


The modern 23rd Infantry Regiment was formed during the American Civil War; the regiment saw action in American wars up to the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. It included a battalion of volunteers made up of active and reserve French military personnel who had been sent to the Korean Peninsula as part of the United Nations force fighting in the Korean War. [Source: Wikipedia]

The Eighth Army announced on 17 December 2004, that the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 23rd Chemical Battalion and 2 chemical companies had completed their relocation from Korea to Fort Lewis, Washington, as the final phase of the chemical decontamination mission transfer to the Republic of Korea Army. According to the statement, the transfer of the chemical decontamination mission from the US military to the Republic of Korea military had been completed in August 2004 with the US military to eventually transfer 10 missions to the Republic of Korea military as part of the Strategic Policy Initiative (SPI) mutually agreed to by both nations. Placed under the administrative control of the 555th Engineer Brigade while in garrison, the unit was subsequently assigned to the 20th Support Command (CBRNE).

On 24 January 2007, the 23rd Chemical Battalion deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 06-08 in support of Combined Joint Task Force-82, led by the 82nd Airborne Division. The Battalion was charged with executing non-standard operations of provided Base Operations Support to 5 Forward Operating Bases throughout Regional Command East, Capital and South, as well as augmented Task Force Cincinnatus Staff Sections. .......... The Battalion redeployed from Afghanistan on 25 January 2008.

On 4 October 2012, the Department of the Army announced the relocation of the 61st Chemical Company, the 62nd Chemical Company, and Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 23rd Chemical Battalion, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington to the Republic of Korea. There the Chemical Companies would provide Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical reconnaissance, equipment decontamination and consequence management assistance to support military forces. This action was in support of Headquarters, Department of the Army initiatives involving US forces conducting a sustainable pace of presence operations abroad, including rotational deployments and bilateral and multilateral training exercises. These activities would reinforce deterrence, help to build the capacity and competence of US, allied, and partner forces for internal and external defense, strengthen alliance cohesion, and increase US influence. This force structure change represented an increase of 290 military and zero civilian authorizations within the Republic of Korea and a corresponding decrease in authorizations at Joint Base Lewis McCord. The Army expected to complete the stationing action by 16 January 2013.

On 6 December 2012, the 23rd Chemical Battalion cased its colors at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington in preparation for its move to Camp Stanley, Republic of Korea. By that time, the battalion's relocation was to bring approximately 300 soldiers to Camp Stanley and was scheduled to be completed by March 2013. Once there, the Battalion's 61st Chemical Company, 62nd Chemical Company, 501st Chemical Company, would provide Nuclear Biological and Chemical reconnaissance, decontamination, and consequence management assistance to support US and ROK military forces. The relocation of the Battalion back to the Republic of Korea was part of a US Army's initiative to reinforce America's commitment to the US-ROK alliance. [Source: Globalsecurity]

---

外媒：朝鲜官方网站遭黑客攻击

Foreign media: North Korean official website suffered from a hacker attack.

On April 5, 2013, New China Network 新华网 is quoting a report from Agence France Press AFP published the day before. According to that source, some anonymous hacker (group) should have invaded an official North Korean site and related Twitter and Flickr accounts in order to replace pictures of Kim Jong Un with caricatures. The anonymous pretends to have almost full access to the North Korean intranet.


The picture inserted in the above article from China is showing the White House in Washington as a possible target of a North Korean missile attack.

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

俄使馆新闻官：朝鲜建议俄驻朝大使馆撤离平壤

News [office] of the Russian embassy: North Korea suggested the Russian embassy in North Korea should quietly leave the area.

[Source: New China Network 新华网 on April 5, 2013]

According to a spokesman of the Russian embassy in Pyongyang, the North Korean ministry of foreign affairs proposed the Russian embassy staff to leave the country. Same goes with the embassies of Britain and Germany. All embassies were requested today, April 5, to leave until Wednesday for not specified security reasons. Germany's minister of foreign affairs already summoned the North Korean ambassador to transmit an official statement on behalf of the German government.

[Source: Tagesschau 24, German news TV, on late April 5, 2013]

英国暂无撤出驻朝鲜使馆人员的计划

For the time being, Britain is not planning to withdraw its embassy staff stationed in North Korea.

[Source: CRI online 国际在线 on April 6, 2013]


Meanwhile two rockets considered as medium-range missiles have been unloaded at a launching pad on the east coast of North Korea near Wonsan. Such missiles could target the U.S. base on Guam or Japan. Two South Korean destroyers equipped with missile interception technique have been deployed to the Yellow Sea and the Japanese Sea.


[Source: NHK Japanese TV on late April 5, 2013]

---

Visitor to "blueprint news" coming from the Caribbean and interested in North Korean missiles:

North Korea - Declaration of War - Part II

朝鲜宣布将重启核反应堆 通过法律巩固核国家地位

North Korea declared to restart a nuclear reactor and adopt
a law intended to consolidate its position as a nuclear power.


[Source: China News Network on April 2, 2013]

The reactor facility of Yong Byong shown on a satellite image dating back to 2003 has been partly disabled in 2008 when a cooling tower was blown up in order to show "good will" in the frame of an international community opposing North Korea's nuclear ambitions. That facility should be able to provide plutonium which is important for the development of advanced nuclear weapons. Now it will be reopened.

Here is what Hong Lei, spokesman for China's ministry of foreign affairs, said in today's [April 2] regular press conference:

我们注意到了朝方有关表态，对此感到遗憾。实现半岛无核化、维护半岛及东北亚和平稳定是中方的一贯主张。当前半岛形势敏感复杂，我们呼吁有关各方冷静克制，尽快重回对话协商轨道，共同寻找妥善解决问题的办法。

We have paid attention to [what is] concerning North Korea's expression of its standpoint and feel regret for it. Realizing nuclear renunciation on the peninsula, safeguarding the peninsula and stabilizing peace in North East Asia is a precious position for China.

The peninsula's actual situation being sensitive and complex, we call on all parties concerned to [remain] calm, exercise restraint and return to the track of [consultative talks] again as soon as possible in order to search together for appropriate means to solve [that] problem.

[Source: china.com on April 2, 2013]

Please Note:
Recent events have been reported in a foregoing blogspot by means of subsequent updates since Saturday March 30 when the North declared the existence of a "state of war" between North and South Korea. For a better understanding of the proceedings that blogspot needs to be read as well. It includes further links to other blogspots of mine dealing with North Korea.

---

Visitor to "blueprint news" coming from a global military network, provided by the U.S. Department of Defense and related to U.S. forces in Europe. However, the visitor could even be located in South Korea.

North Korea - Declaration of War - Part I

Last UPDATE on 1st April:

List of links further down.
Subject is to be continued.



According to Japanese NHK-TV evening news, North Korea should have declared the state of war between North and South Korea. Furthermore, the North has threatened to close the Gaeseong industrial complex near the border to South Korea. That industrial zone was once established to improve economic cooperation between both countries and has granted the impoverished North access to $2 billion in trade per year. Similar news are being distributed by Al-Jazeera, English service, and have been confirmed by South Korean ARIRANG TV evening news.


An earlier report from Reuters press agency said Seoul and its ally the United States were playing down the statement as "tough talk".

It seems the situation escalated when U.S. air force applied stealth bombers in the frame of joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises.





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


朝鲜打击美国本土计划曝光 首次公开人民军军备

Exposing North Korea's plannings to hit U.S. territory.
Armament of the People's Army made known for the first time.

[提要] 　朝鲜官方媒体29日就军方当天紧急会议配发两张图片，图片中的背景似乎包括打击美国本土的作战计划图等图纸，图纸内标注一些具体军备数据。这些图纸引起韩国方面关注。一些韩国军事官员推测，朝方媒体疏忽致泄密。而另一些人认为，朝方有意为之，目的是警示美国。

[Summary]
On [March] 29 North Korea's official media jointly released two photos from that day's military emergency meeting. The background of these photos includes what seems to be the blueprint of a map for warfare plannings to hit U.S. territory. That blueprint contains a tag noting some specific military arms data and has aroused interest on the part of South Korea. Some South Korean military officials are guessing, North Korean media carelessly caused the leakage of a secret. However, other people consider the North acted deliberately with the intention of warning America.

[Source: mil.sohu on March 31, 2013]

However, one of the photos allegedly showing Kim Jong Un's "warfare plannings" has been interpreted in a different way by China's XinHua Network on March 31. According to their report, such warfare planning scenario should be regarded as a simple computer game with rather private than political background:

被朝鲜导弹“瞄准” 得州民众纳闷

North Korea's guided missiles "taking aim"
at the doomed masses of Texas.

在有照片显示金正恩在用苹果公司生产的iMac电脑后，一名当地居民表示，金正恩是“顶级果粉”（苹果公司产品的爱好者），他打算对（苹果公司对手）个人电脑巨头戴尔公司实施核打击，该公司就在得州。

The [related] picture displays Kim Jong Un after having used an iMac computer made by Apple. As a local resident indicates, Kim Jong Un is a " top level Guofen " (i.e. fan of Apple products) and was planning to carry out a nuclear attack on ([Apple's] competitor), the computer tycoon Dell, a company located in Texas.

[Source: XinHua Network, Beijing, on March 31, 2013]

For further information on Kim Jong Un refer to a related blogspot recently visited from different countries.

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

朝鲜核武不会用来换取美元

North Korea's nuclear weapons are unlikely to be used in exchange for U.S. Dollars.

朝鲜劳动党中央委员会3月31日举行全体会议，决定实行经济建设与“核武力”建设并行路线。全会新闻公报说，朝鲜“核武器”不是用作换取美元的商品，只要地球上存在帝国主义和核威胁，朝鲜决不会放弃核武力。

On March 31, the Central Committee of North Korea's Workers' Party held its plenary meeting where it decided the [new political] line of carrying out economic construction and building up "power of nuclear arms" side by side. The plenary meeting's news bulletin says: North Korea's "nuclear weapons" will not be subject to exchange for U.S.$ goods. As long as imperialism and nuclear threat exist on earth, North Korea will under no circumstances abandon [its] nuclear power.

[Source: XinHua Network on 1st April, 2013]


Arirang TV, Seoul, in their press review on 1st April quoted Kim Jong Un telling his people: "Don't give South Korea and U.S. reason to retaliate." Another report from Seoul comments on the South Korean government placing new diplomats in Beijing and Tokyo which might help to strengthen relations between all countries directly involved in the actual crisis triggered off by North Korea. [Source: Arirang TV, Seoul, on 1st April, 2013]


Even Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe, a decided nationalist politician and who was only recently fuelling the island dispute between Japan and China, is now considering China as an essential partner in finding a suitable solution for the North Korean issue. His comment that favoured a summary response towards Pyongyang rather than a series of single reactions on subsequent North Korean provocations was published the day before on March 31.

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

North Korea - Politics of the Kim Family

A list of links to other blogspots of mine
that are dealing with the N. Korean issue:

Kim Jong-Un: Change of Politics ?

Kim Jong-Un: Recent Missile Launch.
Kim Il-Sung: Reminding a National Hero.

Kim Jong-Il: Zombie Leader Passed Away.


朝鲜—政治活动与金家庭的背景

金正恩—总参谋长解职

金正恩—金正日的儿子是谁？

金正日—朝鲜、韩国海军舰艇发生交火

---

Distribution of localized Canadian and U.S. visitors to "blueprint news" coming between March 8 and 1st April, 2013:


A visitor to "blueprint news" coming from the political center of Rome near Palazzo Quirinale on the first day of annual Easter celebrations:

China - U.S. Delivering the " Electronic Truncheon "

Side by side with some semi-official programmatic commentary on how to " shoulder our contemporary mission 担起我们这代人的使命 ", published on March 29 by People's Network, IBM has placed an animated publicity image offering a highly sophisticated public security system for use within regional police departments in China.




Above: The header of a website linked to IBM China:
IBM's intelligent analytics look into "predicted" crime.

Related News:

美国新法案：限制购买中国IT产品

New law proposed in the U.S.: Limitation to the purchase of Chinese IT products.

[Source: People's Daily / People's Network, Beijing, on March 29, 2013]

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

Police again .....

The following screenshot has been taken from a North Korean racing game, online since December 2012. Its name is " Pyongyang Racer ".

---

UPDATE: The IBEMpire Strikes Back !


One Day Later - Same Website

Syria - No Chemical Weapons Used ?

Now it seems to be clear that a mortar attack of Syrian Free Army units in Aleppo did not use a chemical weapon as announced by Syrian government and reported by state TV. Casualties observed with breathing problems cannot necessarily be related to a chemical attack. Furthermore, state reported killings of 25 persons cannot be reached by only using "chlorine filled grenades". Such rather primitive weapon had once been used in the trench warfare of World War I. At that time, many soldiers had been severely wounded, however not killed, on the battle-fields of Verdun and Ypern, including later Nazi leader Adolf Hitler who would have not survived a documented gas attack if that weapon had been such dangerous as reported by Syrian government sources.


Syrian rebels reject accusations from the regime of having used chemicals.

وفي غضون ذلك, قالت منظمة الصحة العالمية إنها سترسل إمدادات طبية إلى مدينة حلب اليوم الأربعاء، "لكنها لا تستطيع التحقق من أن أسلحة كيميائية استخدمت هناك". ونقلت رويترز عن المتحدث باسم المنظمة طارق جاسرفيتش قوله إن المنظمة سترسل إمدادات طبية لعلاج حالات الصدمة إلى حلب من مخزوناتها في طرطوس.ـ

In that frame, the World Health Organization [WHO] said it would send medical support to the town of Aleppo on Wednesday, " but it would be impossible for them to be sure of the use of chemical weapons there ". And Reuters [press agency] reported the [spokesperson] of the organization, [Derek Yasser Fitch ?], saying the organization would send medical aid for the treatment of shock cases from their stocks in Tartous to Aleppo.


The Free [Syrian] Army charged the regime being responsible for the use of chemical weapons.

[Source: Al-Jazeera Online on March 25, 2013]

---

Localized visitors to "blueprint news" during 48 hours (March 26-28):

The Chinese Dream

The article quoted below has been specially marked in yesterday's main page of People's Network, Beijing. It might serve to give us an idea of the ideology followed by China's leadership, and it reminds us that China is still a communist country:


人民日报评论员：凝聚不可战胜的中国力量

三论同心共筑中国梦

A commentator from People's Daily [referring to] the condensation of China's invincible strength.

The Chinese dream, unanimously built together [on the basis of] the three principles.

有梦想才有目标，有希冀才会奋斗。不论是国家民族，还是个人家庭，梦想都是保持生机、激发活力的源泉。

While having a dream, we are having a goal. While having hope, we can raise our heads. It's not a matter of one's nationality or family that all dreams preserve vitality and stimulate the source of vigour.

“实现中国梦必须凝聚中国力量”，习近平主席的重要讲话，阐明了怀抱强国梦想与焕发前进力量之间深刻联系，更揭示出实现中国梦的重要路径。只要我们紧密团结，万众一心，为了共同梦想努力奋斗，实现梦想的力量就无比强大。

"The realization of China's dream needs the condensation of China's strength", is chairman Xi JinPing's important [stance] that has clarified a deepgoing connection between the cherished dream of a powerful nation and the shining power forging ahead. [That stance has] even more revealed an important way of realizing China's dream. It only needs us to inseparably unite, ten thousand masses - one heart, for the sake of striving hard in the struggle for a common dream. The power for realizing [that] dream then being of an unparalleled quality.

什么是中国力量？就是中国各族人民大团结的力量，就是１３亿人心往一处想、劲往一处使，汇集起来的力量。个人梦想可能千差万别，但实现国家梦想的征程上，同心同德、群策群力，就有无坚不摧的磅礴力量。这种力量，我们在革命年代前赴后继的抗争中感受过，在建设岁月激情燃烧的奉献中体验过，在改革时期波澜壮阔的奋斗中亲历过。未来的征程中，只要１３亿人团结一心，这种不可战胜的磅礴之力，必将成为我们在民族复兴之路上的胜利之本、力量之源。

What is China's power like ? It is the huge united strength of China's nationalities. It is 1.3 billion hearts directing their thoughts and efforts towards one goal that leads to the compilation of power. Everybody's [individual] dream might differ in thousand of ways [from the dreams of others] but can contribute to the realization of a national dream. With one heart and one mind and by pooling the wisdom and efforts [of everybody], an all-conquering majestic strength is brought about. Such strength we experienced at times of the revolution while we advanced wave upon wave of resistance, in the years of construction when we learned through practice while offering our burning passion and during the period of reform when we personally experienced the struggle that was surging forward with great momentum. The future proceedings only need 1.3 billion people to wholeheartedly unite, such reaching that invincible majestic strength that will certainly turn us to the foundation of victory related to the path of a national rejuvenation and [turn us] to the source of power.

生活在这样一个时代和国家，是幸运的。我们比历史上任何时期，都更接近民族复兴的目标，都更有信心、有能力实现梦想。毫无疑问，完成这项伟大的事业，仍需一代又一代中国人共同努力。凝聚起不可战胜的中国力量，完成民族复兴征程上的接力，是我们这一代人的使命，更是我们这一代人的光荣。

Living in this time and in [this] country means good luck. We are further nearing the goal of national rejuvenation, we are having more confidence and are more able to realize [our individual] dreams than in any other period of history. Though there is no doubt that mighty enterprise will be accomplished, it still needs Chinese people exerting themselves together era after era. The condensation of China's invincible strength, once being completed the relay race of a national rejuvenation process, will be the mission of contemporary people and even more their honour.

[Source: People's Network, Beijing, on March 21, 2013]



Xi JinPing visiting the U.S.A. in 2012
"See you later, alligator !"

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

Visitors to "blueprint news" coming from East Asia include one Beijing visitor localized near the "Forbidden City":


Another visitor from Sri Lanka used Chinese language search to find the above blogspot on China's dream:

Syria - Probable Use of Chemical Weapons

Only two hours ago, U.S. President Obama boarded Air Force One for an emergency trip to Israel after the chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee announced that Syria most probably used chemical weapons on behalf of its desperate leadership. Even though it is still disputed between Syrian rebels and government troops who actually used such weapons, there must have been evidence of their application.
Republican Congressman Rogers declared the use of chemical weapons could be a "game-changer" in the Syrian conflict that might even lead to U.S. military intervention.

[Source: CNN life transmission on the evening of March 19 (March 20 in Europe)]



The New York Times edition on March 20 has more in its comprehensive article Syria and Activists Trade Charges on Chemical Weapons.

A Deutsche Welle (DW) report on March 20 has more on the international aspect of that subject Syria chemical weapons claims prompt warnings. Quotation from the DW report:
Both the US and UN have said they are investigating opposing claims by the Syrian government and rebels over the use of chemical weapons. UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon warned such behavior would be an 'outrageous crime.'

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

News UPDATE on the evening of March 20:


Obama's talks with Israeli prime minister Netanyahu not only dealt with the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Iran and the Palestinian subject were on the agenda too. That's why Palestinian activists voiced their protest against an alleged pro-Israeli attitude of the Obama administration.



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

Day of the Equinox:



First Blossoms of Spring:

North Korea - Mobilizing the Troops

Last Update: March 20, 2013

朝媒：
不受约束随时随地打击对手是朝鲜坚定立场

North Korean Media:
An unrestrained attack on the opponent, any time and
anywhere, is North Korea's firm stand.


The above photo has been released on March 12 and is showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his inspection of frontline troops on [chin.: Yue Nai] Island the day before, March 11. On that day, he also visited a long-range artillery group belonging to the 641th army unit.



The above photo, published by North Korea's "Workers' News" on March 11, is showing North Korean troops during intense training. In the joint exercises for [regaining control over] South Korea and America, this day's initial code name becomes "decisiveness is crucial" for raising the moral [of the troops].

[Source: chinanews.com on March 13, 2013]

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

News UPDATE on March 14 / 15 / 16:


韩国力谏美军留下核武器威慑朝鲜

South Korea tries everything to remonstrate U.S. military for stationing nuclear weapons that should deter North Korea.

[Source: Xin Hua Network, Beijing, on March 14, 2013]


欧洲议会发表决议 支持欧盟与联合国制裁朝鲜

The European Parliament issues a resolution [confirming] the European Union's support of sanctions against North Korea [on behalf of] the United Nations.

The Chinese article is referring to a session of the European Parliament held in Strasbourg, France, on March 14, 2013 and where that resolution has been accepted.

[Source: CRI online, Beijing, on March 15, 2013]

As tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula, a UK-based think tank believes North Korea is likely to launch an attack on South Korea this year.

In its annual report on the world's military capabilities, the director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies Mark Fitzpatrick said that while an attack is unlikely to come in the next few weeks due to the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint military drills, it expects North Korea to follow through with some sort of provocation later this year.
Noting Pyongyang is forging ahead with efforts to develop its nuclear and missile programs, he said world powers were becoming increasingly concerned.
But he concluded Pyongyang would not attempt to wage a fully-fledged war as it would threaten the existence of the regime due to the huge advantage held by the joint militaries of South Korea and the United States.

" North Korea Falls Victim to 2-day Long Cyber Attack. "

According to the Pyongyang office of Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency, two official North Korean websites went offline from Wednesday until late Thursday. North Korea has accused its enemies of launching cyber attacks, however, some experts say it's possible the regime staged the attacks on itself as a way out of its current international impasse.

[Source: Arirang South Korean TV news on March 15, 2013]




金正恩指导前线炮击训练 强调现代战争是炮战

Kim Jong Un, while guiding frontier shelling training he underlines that modern warfare is artillery warfare.

命令炮火“密集覆盖假想敌方目标”

Commanding the gunfire [he] "concentrates on covering the imaginary enemy target".

[Source: People's Network / Beijing Morning News on March 15, 2013]



North Korea vowed "to mow down the South Korean prime minister" when he decided to show up on some disputed border island (above picture).



In a telephone call, U.S. foreign secretary John Kerry (above picture) and the South Korean prime minister reaffirmed the strong alliance between both countries.

[Source: Arirang South Korean TV news on March 16, 2013]




U.S. reaction on North Korean missile tests, news
report from Japanese NHK TV on March 16, 2013:



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

News UPDATE on March 20:


On March 20, South Korea experienced a cyber attack which temporarily shut down three TV stations and two banks, including Shinhan bank. This is the fifth time since 2009 that alleged North Korean cyber attacks have been reported from South Korea. [Source: Al-Jazeera on March 20, 2013]

---

Visitors to "blueprint news" coming from South-East Asia during the last few days:



Above: Localized visitor from Yangon / Myanmar (Burma).
The view of entirely gold-plated Shwe Dagon Pagoda, an important center of Buddhist pilgrimage, reminds me of my visit there during the civil war in the 1970s when the town of Rangoon, as the Brits called it, was occupied by troops of general Ne Win. At that time, the capital of Burma looked rather shabby with its colonial buildings in full decay. The atmosphere was hot, with regard to temperatures and literally spoken. I remember a vast crowd of students assembling in front of their technical college which had only recently been turned into a military camp of fierce looking soldiers. Some students followed me and told me about political developments in their country. They even invited me to attend a meeting with their leader Aung Sun Kyi. Other people showed me her dwelling and the compound where a military élite was living in luxury while Rangoon's citizens had to provide with food and clothing smuggled into the country on forbidden jungle tracks. I then got some basic understanding why the Burmese visa in my passport categorically excluded the use of landroutes to enter the country. Nowadays, much has changed, and the quality of life should have somewhat improved while Aung Sun Kyi is still a national hero.

Korea - At the Edge of War ?

Breaking News - Morning Update for March 13, 2013


From XinHua News Agency:

North Korea declares:

War on the peninsula "cannot be avoided".

The above headline was found on top of an article that summarizes latest developments by quoting international media from North Korea and China, South Korea, Japan, U.S.A., Britain and France under the following aspects:

金正恩再上前线促备战
Kim Jong Un once again at the front line urging war preparedness.

美警告全力反击核攻击
America warning of full-scale retaliation for [any] nuclear attack.

韩国担心朝鲜“突然袭击”
South Korea worries about a North Korean "surprise attack".

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


North Korea's leadership in a frenzy after recent military exercises of South Korean and U.S. troops (picture above).
After nullifying the 1953 armistice agreement that ended a three year's war between North and South Korea and cutting an important telephone line connecting both countries, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un is driving his escalation of the situation even further:

朝鲜威胁要让韩国一岛屿陷入火海

North Korea threatening to make one of South Korea's islands get caught in a sea of flames.

朝鲜官方媒体星期二报道说，金正恩命令边防前线部队做好战斗准备，摧毁白翎岛上的敌人目标。2010年韩国一艘军舰在白翎岛附近被击沉，40多人丧生。

On Tuesday [March 12], North Korean official media reported that Kim Jong Un ordered frontline troops of the border defence to engage in preparation of a combat targeting the smashing of enemies on White Feather Island. In 2010, more than 40 people lost their lives when a South Korean navy ship was sent to the bottom in the neighbourhood of White Feather Island.

[Source: Voice of America, Chinese website, on March 12, 2013]



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

On the same day [March 12], People's Network in Beijing delivered a rather harmless view on the current conflict by using the following headline:


Military exercises on the Korean peninsula: The possibility of starting a war is rather small, some " accidental discharge while cleaning the gun " being important to promote vigilance.

The Chinese article is quoting Jin Can Rong, deputy director at the Institute for International Relations of the People's University of China:


Jin Can Rong: If America is determined to use a [tough language] towards North Korea, North Korea cannot help getting in the way. Therefore, U.S.-South Korean military exercises are endangering talks with North Korea while this is of no significance to China.

When asked about the deterrent effect of North Korea's selfdeclaration as a nuclear power, Jin Can Rong said:


Jin Can Rong: [What is said to] South Korea is definitely deterrent, however not deterrent for America.

Firstly: As North Korea's nuclear power is not mature, it isn't certain that each of their nuclear weapons will produce an explosion sound.
Secondly: North Korea's nuclear weapons are quite bulky. They cannot be launched with a guided missile. It needs a ship to transport them to the U.S.A.. But [in case of delivery] by ship, this would be early enough [sent to the bottom] by the Americans. However, telling this to the Americans would have no effect.