We have nuclear weapons. We are working constantly to 'improve' our nuclear weapons. But, if you're not us, then we don't allow you to have nuclear weapons. At least in part, this is because we are sane, intelligent, compassionate, god-fearing, (along with a long list of other important qualifications) which allows us to declare ourselves trustworthy with a huge stockpile of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, 'you' are insecure, insane, stupid, (along with a long list of other important dis-qualifications) and therefore our judgement is that you can't be trusted with nuclear weapons. Our judgement is all that matters.
So, if you're not us, as in you are Iran or North Korea, no nuclear weapons for you.
The United States, Japan and South Korea held senior level diplomatic talks Tuesday to discuss joint measures that could be taken if North Korea continues to defy the United Nations Security Council resolution banning its nuclear and ballistic missile development.
“We have to at all costs put a stop to this. We are at a very important phase in this regard,” said the Japanese vice foreign minister.
North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 for its multiple nuclear tests and rocket launches.
Tougher new international sanctions were adopted in March in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, conducted in January, and a satellite launch in February that utilized banned ballistic missile technology.
The government of Kim Jong Un has so far responded defiantly by firing a number of short- and mid-range missiles and accelerating its nuclear development timeline.
“We have to at all costs put a stop to this. We are at a very important phase in this regard,” said the Japanese vice foreign minister.
North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 for its multiple nuclear tests and rocket launches.
Tougher new international sanctions were adopted in March in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, conducted in January, and a satellite launch in February that utilized banned ballistic missile technology.
The government of Kim Jong Un has so far responded defiantly by firing a number of short- and mid-range missiles and accelerating its nuclear development timeline.
The North Korean state news agency blasted the sanctions as "unprecedented and gangster-like." The "political and economic pressure and military aggression on the DPRK have gone to a grave phase that can no longer be overlooked," KCNA said.
North Korea warned it would make a "preemptive and offensive nuclear strike" in response to joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises that began Monday.
(About 17,000 U.S. forces will participate in the joint military exercises with South Korea, according to United States Forces Korea.)
"As the joint military exercises to be staged by the enemies are regarded as the most undisguised nuclear war drills aimed to infringe upon the sovereignty of the DPRK, its military counteraction will be more preemptive and offensive nuclear strike to cope with them," the statement read.
(About 17,000 U.S. forces will participate in the joint military exercises with South Korea, according to United States Forces Korea.)
"As the joint military exercises to be staged by the enemies are regarded as the most undisguised nuclear war drills aimed to infringe upon the sovereignty of the DPRK, its military counteraction will be more preemptive and offensive nuclear strike to cope with them," the statement read.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country's "nuclear warheads need to be ready for use at any time," the North Korean state news agency KCNA reported Friday.
"Under the extreme situation that the U.S. Imperialist is misusing its military influence and is pressuring other countries and people to start war and catastrophe, the only way for our people to protect sovereignty and rights to live is to strengthen the quality and quantity of nuclear power and realize the balance of power," Kim said, according to KCNA.
The "political and economic pressure and military aggression on the DPRK have gone to a grave phase that can no longer be overlooked," KCNA said.
"Under the extreme situation that the U.S. Imperialist is misusing its military influence and is pressuring other countries and people to start war and catastrophe, the only way for our people to protect sovereignty and rights to live is to strengthen the quality and quantity of nuclear power and realize the balance of power," Kim said, according to KCNA.
The "political and economic pressure and military aggression on the DPRK have gone to a grave phase that can no longer be overlooked," KCNA said.
So, we are conducting 'joint military exercises' along with our puppet regime, 'allies', in South Korea and we didn't expect the North Koreans to do anything other than sit and watch and wait to be removed from the scene whether overtly or covertly. That doesn't seem very realistic. As dumb as we may want to think that they are, they are very likely aware of history and know something of our purpose in conducting 'joint military exercises' on their border.
The U.N. resolution that brought about the sanctions aims to cripple the economic factors that fuel North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs --- graphic from CNN
When one examines the sanctions in the above graphic, one wonders. How effective can these items be? Would diplomats not be expelled for illicit activities under normal circumstances? Do we not generally inspect planes and ships? Are North Koreans reliant upon training from the west for their programs? Do we supply their small arms and aviation fuel? Are these sanctions designed to be effective or to give ourselves some sense of power?
We, they, and the whole world would almost certainly be better off if we approached this situation with friendship rather than sanctions. If only we could all drop the militaristic stance we would all benefit, and that's the truth !!!
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