PN's Voice 90

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PN's Voice 90, 25-08-2016
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PN's Voice No. 90   25. 08. 2016 
Small steps, Road to peace


N.K. Submarine Fires Ballistic Missile

North Korea fired a ballistic missile from a submarine off its east coast on Wednesday. The KN-11 missile was launched from waters near Sinpo and flew about 500km (300 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan. Japan's PM said it fell inside Japan's Air Defence Identification Zone, calling it a "reckless act". It comes as South Korea and the US begin annual military drills, which routinely anger Pyongyang. Ulchi Freedom involves about 80,000 US and South Korean troops in a largely computer-simulated defence of South Korea from a fictional North Korean invasion. North Korea, which sees these drills as a rehearsal for invasion, recently warned they were pushing the Korean peninsula towards the brink of war and threatened a "pre-emptive nuclear strike" in retaliation.

North Korea is banned by the UN from any use of ballistic or nuclear technology. But in recent months it has carried out repeated missile launches, and is believed to be close to conducting its fifth test of a nuclear device. Wednesday's early morning launch appears to have been its most successful test yet of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). SLBMs are of particular concern because of the mobility of submarines and the ease with which launch preparation can remain undetected.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed reports that the missile fell into Japan's ADIZ, an area of airspace over which a country exercises security controls. He said it was an "unforgivable, reckless act" which "poses a grave threat to Japan's security". The US State Department said it "strongly condemned" this, and previous missile tests, and would raise concerns at the UN.

The launch also coincided with a meeting of foreign ministers from Japan, China and South Korea in Tokyo. The three regional powers had agreed to "urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint regarding its provocative action, and to observe the UN Security Council's resolutions," Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said. His Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, said that China was opposed to "any words and deeds that will cause further tension" on the Korean peninsula. This is likely a reference to Chinese opposition to THAAD; a controversial missile defense system that the U.S. and South Korea agreed to deploy in South Korea last month.
Source : BBC News

The Next U.S. Government Will "Reconsider" the Deployment of THAAD

Cheong Wooksik, Peace Network’s director, recently wrote an article detailing the future U.S. government’s potential reconsideration of the deployment of THAAD in South Korea. Mr. Cheong hypothesizes that the issue of THAAD has created a split in South Korea between those who are pro- and anti-THAAD. Rather than provoking a deep political discourse, the divide in opnion of THAAD has led many to liken those who are opposed to THAAD with a "pro-China and anti-US" position, and conversely those who support THAAD with an "anti-China and pro-US" position.

Mr. Cheong goes on to argue that China and Russia may join forces in an attempt to force the next U.S. administration to reconsider the deployment of THAAD in South Korea. Cheong believes that Putin and Xi may try to achieve this through a "face-off" strategy against the next U.S. President , which will, “present him or her with two options: ‘Are you going to risk strategic alliance of China and Russia by deploying THAAD, or are you going to withdraw this plan and build new relationship with us?’”

Mr. Cheong warns that the dangers of a strong Russian-Chinese alliance may include the U.S. having a “much harder time making their way through international affairs”, as both “China and Russia are nuclear powers, and sit on the UN Security Council.” These dangers may also include further Chinese-Russian military cooperation in conflicts, or potential conflict areas, such as Ukraine and Syria. Additionally, and perhaps most significantly, the two nations could potentially deliver a “dagger” to the heart of the U.S. by cooperating on strategic arms development by harmonizing China’s cash with Russia’s technology.
Click the link below to read the full article:
Source : Peace Network

N. K. Leader Calls SLBM Test "Greatest Success"

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has declared the North’s latest submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test as “the greatest success and victory.” The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday said that Kim made the assessment while observing Wednesday’s SLBM launch.

The KCNA said the North's leader also ordered his officials to step up efforts to weaponize nuclear materials and develop their transportation means in preparation for nuclear war with the U.S. that can occur at any time.
The North’s media also said that Kim issued a grave warning to the on-going annual Ulchi-Freedom Guardian(UFG) military exercise between South Korea and the U.S., adding that the country will drive in a “nail of injustice” into the U.S. with its “nuclear hammer of justice” if an appropriate opportunity is created.
Source : KBS News

Seoul & Tokyo to Provide 100 Mil. Won for Each Sex Slavery Victim

Japanese media have reported that Seoul and Tokyo have agreed to provide each surviving Korean victim of Japan’s wartime sexual enslavement with 100 million won in compensation. The Yomiuri Shimbun said 46 survivors registered with the South Korean government as a former Japanese sex slave will each receive 100 million won, while some 20 million won will be given to each bereaved family of the 199 deceased victims.

The alleged agreement comes after the Japanese government decided to contribute one billion yen to a Seoul-based foundation dedicated to supporting Korean victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery.

During the talks, the Japanese side reportedly demanded again that the South Korean government remove a statue symbolizing victims of Japan’s sexual slavery, which stands outside the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.
Source : KBS News
      

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