North Korea

Not really. They have a huge issue with debt and their ageing population, and deep seated cultural issues that prevent them from really addressing any of it.

Still, they have recently changed their constitution to move their military from a defensive force to an offensive force. Gives an idea of their future intentions.

If we're talking about them in the context of being the superpower of Asia then sure, they're not in a great place. By any other measure they are. Right?

I appreciate that Japan are the #1 nation in terms of median age, but they're closely followed by Germany and most Western nations are in that 40+ range, alongside their neighbours in Korea. I know Japan are in a unique position in terms of their debt, but it's not like other major powers aren't suffering with debt issues when the US are at over 100% and all other major Western nations, with the exception of Australia, are past the 80% mark.

Those two combined with the cultural norms acting as a barrier are undoubtedly an issue, but do they override all of the other key indicators of the health and prosperity of a country?

They aren't attacks, Japan just happens to be in the path of missile tests. I think people are more worried about a favourite holiday resort (Guam) being the target. Yet people have still been travelling there.

Oh no I agree, they're not attacks. Do you not think the threat of attack is increasing, though?
 
North Korea has launched ballistic missiles over Japan twice before, so that is not something unheard of. However, to do it in this particularly sensitive geopolitical situation that we have found ourselves in, is quite daring. First and foremost, calling Trump's ridiculous bluff for what it was. Then, he really needs that technology to be perfected and tested, to be fully recognized as capable nuclear power. That basically guarantees his regime survival. The only way to negate would be a massive first strike against very hardened targets and that needs to be with tactical nukes , in order to guarantee destruction. And if NK has developed mobile launchers, even this is off the table. Even a 20% chance of successful retaliatory hit on a US territory will remove the possibility of a first strike. And not to mention the thousands of artillery positions directly aimed at Seoul. Banon was right, they got them by the balls.
 
North Korea has launched ballistic missiles over Japan twice before, so that is not something unheard of

That's very true, although when they did it previously they didn't have the capabilities to launch nuclear warheads as they apparently do now. Before they were just like throwing paper aeroplanes over Japan, now they are doing the same but knowing they could arm those planes properly. Also, of all countries it's sad, scary and horribly unfortunate that it's Japan that has to endure this threat once more.
 
That's very true, although when they did it previously they didn't have the capabilities to launch nuclear warheads as they apparently do now. Before they were just like throwing paper aeroplanes over Japan, now they are doing the same but knowing they could arm those planes properly. Also, of all countries it's sad, scary and horribly unfortunate that it's Japan that has to endure this threat once more.
Yes, you are right, but the potential for destruction has always been there - chemical, biological, etc. Anyway, there is no stopping this, except a total immediate war. North Korea is becoming a nuclear power.
 
North Korea is becoming a nuclear power.

Of that there is little doubt, and the little fat man knows full well that the world doesn't want a nuclear war. South Korea is the main problem in all this because of how vulnerable they are, I have little doubt that North Korea would be on fire right now, probably years ago, if the South wasn't in such immediate danger as they are.

Personally, I think this has to be handled now with a mixture of solidarity, strength and also with dialogue and respect. A war is not the way to go as it would escalate and could lead to the end of the world, or a large part of it at least. Kim has to stop these tests, and he has to sort his human rights issues out, but he also has to be taken a little more seriously now and he has to be invited to talk with China, Russia, the USA etc. Sanctions will have to be lifted if he stops arsing around and making everyone uncomfortable and scaring the shit out of the Japanese. I still maintain though that the wildcard in all this is Trump. His previous statements don't fill me with much confidence at all. Him saying "What's the point of having nukes if we can't use them" obviously missing the exact point of a nuclear deterrent, isn't exactly what you want to hear from the President of the USA. Also, as I said before, his bluff has been called and he could shortly be backed in to a corner, and we all know where that leads.

China and Russia now both have to intervene and help sort this mess out, because it's clear Trump can't be trusted to, and to be honest and fair to him, it shouldn't all fall on him anyway. This is a global problem and a global threat and needs a global resolution. It's a shame James Bond can't just go in and sort Kim and his missiles out. :( Seriously though, Kim knows he would get wiped off the face of the earth but I don't think that threatening him with that is the way to go, and it certainly isn't the way to reassure the people of the world, and especially Japan and South Korea.
 
Of that there is little doubt, and the little fat man knows full well that the world doesn't want a nuclear war. South Korea is the main problem in all this because of how vulnerable they are, I have little doubt that North Korea would be on fire right now, probably years ago, if the South wasn't in such immediate danger as they are.

Personally, I think this has to be handled now with a mixture of solidarity, strength and also with dialogue and respect. A war is not the way to go as it would escalate and could lead to the end of the world, or a large part of it at least. Kim has to stop these tests, and he has to sort his human rights issues out, but he also has to be taken a little more seriously now and he has to be invited to talk with China, Russia, the USA etc. Sanctions will have to be lifted if he stops arsing around and making everyone uncomfortable and scaring the shit out of the Japanese. I still maintain though that the wildcard in all this is Trump. His previous statements don't fill me with much confidence at all. Him saying "What's the point of having nukes if we can't use them" obviously missing the exact point of a nuclear deterrent, isn't exactly what you want to hear from the President of the USA. Also, as I said before, his bluff has been called and he could shortly be backed in to a corner, and we all know where that leads.

China and Russia now both have to intervene and help sort this mess out, because it's clear Trump can't be trusted to, and to be honest and fair to him, it shouldn't all fall on him anyway. This is a global problem and a global threat and needs a global resolution. It's a shame James Bond can't just go in and sort Kim and his missiles out. :( Seriously though, Kim knows he would get wiped off the face of the earth but I don't think that threatening him with that is the way to go, and it certainly isn't the way to reassure the people of the world, and especially Japan and South Korea.

The problem is, he won't sort the humans rights issues. He needs the country in constant fear and submission. Things there will probably remain the way they have always been for a long time.

Trump is, without doubt, the worst person you would want on the other end of this. I really think in his mind he sees nuking North Korea as a possibility. He really does not understand the idea of a deterrent, among many other basic concepts.

China and Russia each have their agendas and I doubt they will attempt to organize a meeting purely from good will, unless they are given something big in return. They would rather see the US engaged into this on their own.
 
The problem is, he won't sort the humans rights issues. He needs the country in constant fear and submission. Things there will probably remain the way they have always been for a long time.

Trump is, without doubt, the worst person you would want on the other end of this. I really think in his mind he sees nuking North Korea as a possibility. He really does not understand the idea of a deterrent, among many other basic concepts.

China and Russia each have their agendas and I doubt they will attempt to organize a meeting purely from good will, unless they are given something big in return. They would rather see the US engaged into this on their own.

I think you are right on all counts there. It's not in Kim's interests to see his country thrive. A Dictatorship doesn't work if the country isn't in constant fear of an enemy and kept in poverty. Well, a tyrannical Dictatorship isn't at least.

I've said my piece on Trump, you just echoed it, I don't think much more needs to be said about him, and I agree he definitely wants to nuke North Korea. I just wonder how many times he's had that conversation? If anyone is in any doubt about this I recommend the Morning Joe programme where they discussed Trump and nukes and Trump asked many times how and why they can't be used and what's the point of having them if not. He really is that stupid, as if that is ever in question.

I agree too about China and Russia, I just hope that now, for the sake of peace and security in the world that they do finally get involved and either start putting huge amounts of pressure on Kim, or they invite him to the table. Both have their own agendas for sure, but neither would be much good if the world has to recover from a nuclear strike or war. They might now have little choice but to get involved, although they will leave it as late as they possibly can and I bet they are loving watching Trump be slapped around so easily and so publically.
 
Do you not think the threat of attack is increasing, though?

Not really, to answer with a question - why would they attack Japan in the short term?

Im no expert in trajectory - but if they want to hit Guam, they'd fire over S.Korea. The reason they are firing over Northern Japan is probably because it has the least consequences.
 
Not really, to answer with a question - why would they attack Japan in the short term?

Im no expert in trajectory - but if they want to hit Guam, they'd fire over S.Korea. The reason they are firing over Northern Japan is probably because it has the least consequences.
Depending on where they are firing from they'd have to over Japan and possibly ROK.
 
Not really, to answer with a question - why would they attack Japan in the short term?

Im no expert in trajectory - but if they want to hit Guam, they'd fire over S.Korea. The reason they are firing over Northern Japan is probably because it has the least consequences.
I agree . They have two choices regarding ballistic tests:
1) Predominantly vertical trajectory, aiming to the Sea of Japan , does not pass over other countries but does not test a real attack scenario.
2) Aiming somewhere in the North Pacific, which requires overfly of Japan. Any test that requires overfly of South Korea would be off the table, since even Kim is not that crazy. It would set all kinds of alarms in a defense structure comprised of Korean and American forces, and it is not clear what will result from the ensuing chaos in the first minutes of launch detection. I am pretty certain the THAAD and Patriots would be utilized , and how this would be viewed, from say, China, is not clear.
 
It's fine saying all this, but what if one of the missiles (or more) goes off course and lands in a populated area? Or what if it malfunctions and breaks apart and debris falls in a populated area? The fact the missiles are just basically rocket powered shells gives little comfort to the people they are flying over. Yes, obviously if he was live firing and testing nuclear warheads then all hell would break loose and rightly so, but he's pushing his fecking luck testing so many missiles in such a short period of time after being repeatedly warned not to. Starting a war accidently is a huge possibility and as many of us have said, he's playing with an unpredictable sociopathic lunatic manchild who will do anything to prolong his political career and for ratings and public approval.

I honestly think sending the SAS or Delta boys in to take him out might not be the worst idea in the world, as long as they don't miss, although with his ginger hair he should make an easy target. IT's A JOKE BEFORE ANYONE GOES OFF ON ONE!
 
anyone seen the trending video on YouTube of that British guy?

I'm slightly concerned about the fact the Japanese government can turn on your TV.
 
It's fine saying all this, but what if one of the missiles (or more) goes off course and lands in a populated area? Or what if it malfunctions and breaks apart and debris falls in a populated area? The fact the missiles are just basically rocket powered shells gives little comfort to the people they are flying over. Yes, obviously if he was live firing and testing nuclear warheads then all hell would break loose and rightly so, but he's pushing his fecking luck testing so many missiles in such a short period of time after being repeatedly warned not to. Starting a war accidently is a huge possibility and as many of us have said, he's playing with an unpredictable sociopathic lunatic manchild who will do anything to prolong his political career and for ratings and public approval.

I honestly think sending the SAS or Delta boys in to take him out might not be the worst idea in the world, as long as they don't miss, although with his ginger hair he should make an easy target. IT's A JOKE BEFORE ANYONE GOES OFF ON ONE!
How do you think NK would respond to that - with a takeover by a more moderate group or retaliation on a mssive scale ?
 
It's fine saying all this, but what if one of the missiles (or more) goes off course and lands in a populated area? Or what if it malfunctions and breaks apart and debris falls in a populated area? The fact the missiles are just basically rocket powered shells gives little comfort to the people they are flying over. Yes, obviously if he was live firing and testing nuclear warheads then all hell would break loose and rightly so, but he's pushing his fecking luck testing so many missiles in such a short period of time after being repeatedly warned not to. Starting a war accidently is a huge possibility and as many of us have said, he's playing with an unpredictable sociopathic lunatic manchild who will do anything to prolong his political career and for ratings and public approval.

I honestly think sending the SAS or Delta boys in to take him out might not be the worst idea in the world, as long as they don't miss, although with his ginger hair he should make an easy target. IT's A JOKE BEFORE ANYONE GOES OFF ON ONE!
He's playing with fire any rocket landing in Japan or South Korea would be war and if hits a populated area then we may see a strong reaction by US with nukes, I just hope Kim dies with diarrhea and would be the end of North Korea.
 
It pisses me off now in terms of how we're dealing with North Korea. The US/UK/China are all talk at the moment saying that they need to cut this bullshit out, saying the same thing for months. Yet, North Korea have continued with their research/building and have stepped over "the frequently re positioned" line. This new missile firing over Japan is now massively overstepping the line.

"We condemn their actions". Been saying the same for months.

fecking do something about it. If condemning hasn't worked for the past year or so, then a different approach/action is needed.
 
It pisses me off now in terms of how we're dealing with North Korea. The US/UK/China are all talk at the moment saying that they need to cut this bullshit out, saying the same thing for months. Yet, North Korea have continued with their research/building and have stepped over "the frequently re positioned" line. This new missile firing over Japan is now massively overstepping the line.

"We condemn their actions". Been saying the same for months.

fecking do something about it. If condemning hasn't worked for the past year or so, then a different approach/action is needed.

What do you suggest?

Personally, I think the only way is if the Chinese want to take him out quietly. But then that leaves the future in less predictable circumstances for them.
 
It pisses me off now in terms of how we're dealing with North Korea. The US/UK/China are all talk at the moment saying that they need to cut this bullshit out, saying the same thing for months. Yet, North Korea have continued with their research/building and have stepped over "the frequently re positioned" line. This new missile firing over Japan is now massively overstepping the line.

"We condemn their actions". Been saying the same for months.

fecking do something about it. If condemning hasn't worked for the past year or so, then a different approach/action is needed.
Such as... (given there has been increased sanctions etc)
So what should they do... because options do seem somewhat limited in practical terms
 
What do you suggest?
Personally, I think the only way is if the Chinese want to take him out quietly. But then that leaves the future in less predictable circumstances for them.

I'm sure the Chinese are quite content with their postition. They're not being threatened. The US, South Korea and Japan have no solution without Chinese agreement. They're sitting pretty.
 
21192471_10155786850989060_6459130176505718773_n.jpg
 
It pisses me off now in terms of how we're dealing with North Korea. The US/UK/China are all talk at the moment saying that they need to cut this bullshit out, saying the same thing for months. Yet, North Korea have continued with their research/building and have stepped over "the frequently re positioned" line. This new missile firing over Japan is now massively overstepping the line.

"We condemn their actions". Been saying the same for months.

fecking do something about it. If condemning hasn't worked for the past year or so, then a different approach/action is needed.
something is amiss
 
errr anyone gonna like umm do anything about this then? errr :nervous:
 
I think the way to do it is to somehow get rid of the regime from the inside. Smuggle some Chinese in with American money and offer the top dog officers etc money and somewhere to live in America or a prominent place on a post regime government.

Worth a try??
 
It's gonna be a nuclear war soon isn't it?

It was nice knowing you all.
 
Serious question: isn't it about time to take down this regime - either by "sniping" HIM or a full scale invasion?

Yes, I'm aware of the implications yada yada - but surley the world can't just sit on their ass and watch this?