It looks like things could be going down in North Korea very soon.

I know it's popular to say "Its the same saber rattling that they have always done". If these are your thoughts, stay out of this thread.



We're giving up on talk... the only other option is action.

South Korea's president made a move signaling a possible strike on North Korea

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In the immediate aftermath of North Korea testing an intercontinental ballistic missile, South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered talks with the US about adding more Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interceptor systems to South Korea.

While the move may seem like a common-sense defensive measure, it actually indicates that South Korea may be getting ready for a fight with the North.

The THAAD has a perfect record of intercepting shorter-range ballistic missiles in test conditions, but cannot handle the reentry speeds of an ICBM. Furthermore, if a missile fired from North Korea is landing in South Korea, it's not an ICBM.

The THAAD can only block shorter-range missiles, and it does so with a powerful radar that scares the pants off the Chinese. China hates the THAAD because it fears the US could potentially use its powerful radar to negate China's nuclear ICBM force, and thereby erode its nuclear deterrent. China routinely protests THAAD and pressures South Korea economically into giving it up.

So why would Moon take a huge political risk by increasing defenses against missiles that aren't even supposed to target his country?

One possible explanation is that he's moving to defend his country against shorter-range missiles from the North in the event of a strike on Kim Jong Un. Seoul is within range of nuclear and conventional arms from North Korea that hold its 25 million inhabitants hostage.

But if South Korea could block the nuclear strikes, its air force could knock out North Korea's massive artillery installation, and US forces could move in and destroy the country's nuclear infrastructure.

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@NoonInKorea 6h6 hours ago
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Unidentified NK submarine seen engaged in unusual activity in West (Yellow) Sea: SK fears possible SLBM provocation

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The sub is unidentified & was first noticed in 2016: believed to be re-purposed Sinpo or newly refurbished sub tailored to launch SLBMs.

West Sea is shallow so midget subs usually operate. But this sub seems similar in size to Sinpo or 1.8k ton Romeo.

Its home port seems to be Haeju, less than 200 km from Seoul & only about ~100 km from western NLL: "unusual activity" means leaving port & moving toward unknown undersea spot. This sub approached NLL when US-SK did naval exercise in April in West Sea then return back to Haeju apparently to refuel & go back out. NK seem to be diversifying sub fleet so that more than Sinpo can fire SLBM.

What's captured by SBS YouTube seems to be the unidentified sub spotted in 2016. Not clear how that footage was obtained unless via KCTV.

Haeuju's 1 of 3 naval ports on w side (Nampo & Bipagotte). It's an inlet so has to approach NLL just to get out. Only ~180 km from Seoul.



https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1261987/us-bombers-conduct-bilateral-mission-with-allies-in-response-to-north-korea-icb/

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In response to North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programs and as a part of the continuing demonstration of ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies, two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers under the command of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, joined their counterparts from the Republic of Korea and Japanese air forces in a sequenced bilateral missions July 29.

This mission is in direct response to North Korea's escalatory launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles on July 3 and July 28.

"North Korea remains the most urgent threat to regional stability," said Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces commander. "Diplomacy remains the lead; however, we have a responsibility to our allies and our nation to showcase our unwavering commitment while planning for the worst-case scenario. If called upon, we are ready to respond with rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force at a time and place of our choosing."

After taking off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the B-1s flew to Japanese airspace, where they were joined by two Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-2 fighter jets. The B-1s then flew over the Korean Peninsula where they were joined by four Republic of Korea Air Force F-15 fighter jets. The B-1s then performed a low-pass over Osan Air Base, South Korea, before leaving South Korean airspace and returning to Guam.

Throughout the approximately 10-hour mission, the aircrews practiced intercept and formation training, enabling them to improve their combined capabilities and tactical skills, while also strengthening the long standing military-to-military relationships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Pacific Command maintains flexible bomber and fighter capabilities in the Indo-Asia-Pacific theater, retaining the ability to quickly respond to any regional threat in order to defend the U.S. homeland and in support of our allies.

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