WAR DRUMS: North Korea moves warplanes into American bomber flight path…

North Korea rejects diplomacy with the United States
Oct 16, 2017 | 0 |
North Korea rejects diplomacy with the United States
A North Korean official reaffirmed Pyongyang’s commitment to developing a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching “all the way to the East coast of the mainland US,” on Monday, telling CNN that the rogue nation is currently not interested in diplomacy with the US until it achieves that goal. North Korea is not ruling out diplomacy, but “before we can engage in diplomacy with the Trump administration, we want to send a clear message that the DPRK has a reliable defensive
and offensive capability to counter any aggression from the United States,” the official said. The comments offer a sobering challenge to the US and the Trump administration which has offered mixed messages regarding diplomatic efforts with North Korea. White House chief of staff John Kelly said last week that Americans should be concerned about North Korea’s ability to reach the United States with an intercontinental ballistic missile, cryptically telling reporters that if the threat grows “beyond where it is today, well, let’s hope that diplomacy works.”
READ MORE http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/16/politics/north-korea-negotiations-trump-tillerson/index.html
North Korea rejects diplomacy with US for now, source says
By Will Ripley, Zachary Cohen and Richard Roth, CNN
Updated 1958 GMT (0358 HKT) October 17, 2017
N. Korea: No diplomacy until ICBM can hit US
N. Korea: No diplomacy until ICBM can hit US 02:29
Washington (CNN)A North Korean official reaffirmed Pyongyang's commitment to developing a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching "all the way to the East coast of the mainland US," on Monday, telling CNN that the rogue nation is currently not interested in diplomacy with the US until it achieves that goal.

North Korea is not ruling out diplomacy, but "before we can engage in diplomacy with the Trump administration, we want to send a clear message that the DPRK has a reliable defensive and offensive capability to counter any aggression from the United States," the official said.
The comments offer a sobering challenge to the US and the Trump administration which has offered mixed messages regarding diplomatic efforts with North Korea.

White House chief of staff John Kelly said last week that Americans should be concerned about North Korea's ability to reach the United States with an intercontinental ballistic missile, cryptically telling reporters that if the threat grows "beyond where it is today, well, let's hope that diplomacy works."
Tillerson on North Korea: Diplomacy will continue 'until the first bomb drops'
Tillerson on North Korea: Diplomacy will continue 'until the first bomb drops'
Significantly, Kelly noted that Pyongyang "is developing a pretty good nuclear re-entry vehicle."

For a missile to successfully strike a target it would have to re-enter the earth's atmosphere without breaking up.
Kelly's comments seem to indicate that the US believes that North Korea is close to achieving what would be a key breakthrough for their missile program.

The North Korean official told CNN that two additional steps are needed to achieve its goal of a reliable ICBM.
'Fully intact' Tillerson talks Trump, North Korea and Iran
'Fully intact' Tillerson talks Trump, North Korea and Iran
One step is an above-ground nuclear detonation, like the kind North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho threatened at the United Nations last month when he suggested leader Kim Jong Un was considering detonating "an unprecedented scale hydrogen bomb" over the Pacific after Trump threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea.

The other step is the "testing of a long-range ICBM capable of reaching Guam - and even further," the official said.
Last week, North Korean state media renewed a threat to launch missiles toward the US territory of Guam, warning that "reckless moves" by the US would compel Pyongyang to take action.

North Korea first said it was examining a plan to target the Pacific island in August after Trump warned the isolated regime would "face fire and fury like the world has never seen" following a US intelligence assessment that North Korea had produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead.

Both steps are necessary for the DPRK to send that "clear message" to the Trump administration that it possesses an effective nuclear deterrent, the North Korean official said on Monday.
CIA: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un isn't crazy

CIA: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un isn't crazy

The official added that one or both of these tests could possibly be timed to coincide with the US-South Korea joint naval drills, which began Monday and will last for ten days, or could possibly coincide with Trump's visit to Asia next month.
Joint military exercises are particularly infuriating to Pyongyang. The North Korean government views them as a dress rehearsal for an invasion -- even as the US insists they are purely defensive in nature.

The US will practice evacuating civilians from South Korea in its annual Courageous Channel training exercise later this month -- a routinely scheduled exercise that "prepares service members and their families to respond to a wide range of crisis management events such as non-combatant evacuation and natural or man made disasters," according to US Forces Korea.

Asked Monday if his possible visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) next month will provoke North Korea Trump said he would "take a look at that" but added he "hadn't heard in terms of provoking."
The military and North Korea: What you hear and what it means

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said his diplomatic efforts will continue as long as they possibly can despite the saber-rattling on both sides of the Pacific.
"Those diplomatic efforts will continue until the first bomb drops," Tillerson said on CNN's "State of the Union."
Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle of the House Foreign Affairs Committee told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Monday that he believes the US should continue to pursue diplomacy with Pyongyang but ultimately, must prevent North Korea from developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching the US.
"I don't believe we can live with that possibility," he said.
North Korean anger over US 'decapitation' plan
A North Korean diplomat publicly expressed anger on Monday over reports that hackers gained access to a US-South Korean plan to "decapitate" the regime's leadership.
North Korea's deputy UN Ambassador warned that the plan is "dangerous" and an insult to the nation.

CNN has reported that the North Korea hackers stole classified military documents from a South Korean Defense ministry database in September 2016, according to Rhee Cheol-hee, a member of South Korea's National Assembly. He said the documents stolen included the South Korea-US wartime operational plan and a document that includes procedures to "decapitate" the North Korean leadership.

North Korea's deputy Ambassador Kim In Ryong told a UN committee meeting on nuclear issues that "what is more dangerous is that the US dared to formulate a plan and stage the exercise of decapitation operation and secret operation aimed at the removal of our supreme leadership."
"This is an unbearable insult to the supreme dignity of the DPRK and it arouses extreme anger from our people and service personnel," Ryong said.
The North Korean UN diplomat also fiercely defended

Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.
WHY NORTH KOREA WANTS NUKES AND MISSILES
North Korea has long maintained it wants nuclear weapons and long-range missiles to deter the United States from attempting to overthrow the regime of Kim Jong Un.

Pyongyang looks at states such as Iraq -- where Saddam Hussein was overthrown by the United States -- and Libya -- its late leader, Moammar Gadhafi, gave up his nuclear ambitions for sanctions relief and aid, only to be toppled and killed after the United States intervened in his country's civil unrest -- and believes that only being able to threaten the US mainland with a retaliatory nuclear strike can stop American military intervention.

Many experts say they believe North Korea would not use the weapons first. Kim values his regime's survival above all else and knows the use of a nuclear weapon would start a war he could not win, analysts say.

"Unless the hostile policy and the nuclear threat of the US is thoroughly eradicated, we will never put our nuclear weapons and ballistic rockets on the negotiation table under any circumstance and will never flinch even an inch from the road we have chosen, upholding the line of simultaneously developing the two fronts, the everlasting banner in safeguarding the peace," Ryong said.
"This year, we have passed the final gate of completing the state nuclear force and thus became the full- fledged nuclear power which possesses the delivery means of various ranges, including the atomic bomb, H-bomb and intercontinental ballistic rockets," he said. "The entire US mainland is within our firing range and if the US dares to invade our sacred territory even an inch it will not escape our severe punishment in any part of the globe."
Mixed messages
US-led efforts to apply additional diplomatic pressure on North Korea in recent months have been met with greater defiance as the Kim regime continues to march toward realizing its nuclear ambitions.

Despite assurances from Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that the US continues to seek a peaceful resolution, neither side has overtly indicated that it is ready or willing to engage in serious negotiations.
Confused by Trump, North Korea contacts ex-US officials
Confused by Trump, North Korea contacts ex-US officials
Trump has repeatedly undercut comments made by his top officials and publicly engaged in a war of words with Kim that has devolved into insults and name-calling -- only raising fears of an eventual military conflict.
Trump said earlier this month that the US will "do what we must do" to prevent further threats from North Korea.
"We cannot allow this dictatorship to threaten our nation or our allies with unimaginable loss of life," he said at a meeting with top military officers. "We will do what we must do to prevent that from happening and it will be done if necessary, believe me."
CNN's Barbara Starr and Allie Malloy contributed to this report


DEFCON Warning System at Level 4 as Fears of War With North Korea Rise
Oct 16, 2017 | 0 |
DEFCON Warning System at Level 4 as Fears of War With North Korea Rise
The DEFCON Warning System has urged caution over a “significantly raised” possibility of a nuclear strike by North Korea which may feel “backed into a corner” by the escalating situation in East Asia. The group has also warned of “significant progress” in Kim Jong-un’s nuclear weapons programme, which it says are advanced enough to target the mainland United States with an “inaccurate but successful” strike.

This comes as US bombers escorted by stealth fighter jets have flown several missions close to North Korea in recent weeks. American airforce chiefs have said they intend to continue flying sorties in international airspace, despite a warning from the hermit state that they “reserved the right” to shoot them down. Dictator Kim has relentlessly persisted in his nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missile programmes despite widespread international condemnation and a series of crippling sanctions. READ MORE

World War 3: DEFCON Warning System at level 4 as probability of North Korea strike RISES
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/867078/defcon-warning-system-latest-world-war-3-north-korea-trump-nuclear-threat
THE DEFCON Warning System has urged caution over a “significantly raised” possibility of a nuclear strike by North Korea which may feel “backed in to a corner” by the escalating situation in East Asia.
By HARVEY GAVIN
PUBLISHED: 08:00, Tue, Oct 17, 2017 | UPDATED: 08:10, Tue, Oct 17, 2017
The group has also warned of “significant progress” in Kim Jong-un’s nuclear weapons programme, which it says are advanced enough to target the mainland United States with an “inaccurate but successful” strike.

This comes as US bombers escorted by stealth fighter jets have flown several missions close to North Korea in recent weeks.

American airforce chiefs have said they intend to continue flying sorties in international airspace, despite a warning from the hermit state that they “reserved the right” to shoot them down.

Dictator Kim has relentlessly persisted in his nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missile programmes despite widespread international condemnation and a series of crippling sanctions.

American B2 bomber and Kim Jong UnGETTY
DEFCON Warning System says there is a rising nuclear war threat from North Korea
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This significantly raises the possibility of a strike as North Korea may believe it either has nothing to lose or is responding to an impending attack
DEFON Warning System
The DEFCON Warning System’s latest report says: “Tension in the Korean theatre continues to be very high.

“A review of the data coming out of North Korea indicate a country that feels it is being backed into a corner.

“This significantly raises the possibility of a strike as North Korea may believe it either has nothing to lose or is responding to an impending attack.

“The United States exacerbates the situation with hostile language of its own.”
DEFCON nuclear threat level remains at level four
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PLAY SLIDESHOW
Mansudae Grand Monument. An enormous bronze statue of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il, downtown Pyongyang. Image taken the day before Liberation Day where military personnel are visiting the monument to lay flowers for the leaders. Liberatio TARIQ ZAIDI 1 of 18
Mansudae Grand Monument. An enormous bronze statue of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il, downtown Pyongyang. Image taken the day before Liberation Day where military personnel are visiting the monument to lay flowers for the leaders. Liberation
Mansudae Grand Monument. An enormous bronze statue of President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il, downtown Pyongyang. Image taken the day before Liberation Day where military personnel are visiting the monument to lay flowers for the leaders. Liberatio
People waiting at bus stop on the outskirts of the capital, Pyongyang
Man in military uniform watches over beach goers near Wonsan, East coast North Korea
Girls trying the flight simulator game at the Pyongyang Sci-Tech Complex - a science and technology center housed in a large atom-shaped building in Pyongyang. The complex also features an ‘earthquake experience room, virtual science laboratory,’ and v
Locals watch one of the rides at the Youth Funfair Pyongyang (also called the Kaeson Youth Amusement Park). A popular amusement park with locals in the evening
Boys watching videos at the Pyongyang Sci-Tech Complex - a science and technology center housed in a large atom-shaped building in Pyongyang. The complex also features an ‘earthquake experience room, virtual science laboratory,’ and various halls equip
Women at reception desk of small beach hotel near Wonsan, East coast North Korea
Donald Trump has been embroiled in a bitter war of words with despot Kim, with neither side seemingly willing to back down.

The President tweeted earlier this month that his chief diplomat, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, was “wasting his time” trying to negotiate with Kim, before adding: “Save your energy Rex, we’ll do what has to be done.”

Mr Trump has previously mocked Kim as “little rocket man” - a reference to his ballistic missile tests - and threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea if it dares attack the United States or one of its allies.

In response, Kim branded the President a “mentally deranged US dotard”.

North Korean ICBM launcherGETTY
North Korea's long range missiles may not be accurate, but they could hit the US, says the report
Kim Jong-un inspecting a North Korean GETTY
Kim Jong-un's regime says it has developed a powerful hydrogen bomb
And North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho told reporters last month the President’s words amounted to a declaration of war.

He said: “Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to make countermeasures, including the right to shoot down United States strategic bombers even when they are not inside the airspace border of our country.”

The DEFCON Warning System says the US is actively discouraging any talks with the secretive state, and claims “all backchannel dialog with North Korea has ended”.

Because of the top-secret nature of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, it is impossible to say exactly what Kim’s capabilities are.

North Korean soldiers carrying radiation symbol packsGETTY
All talks with nuclear North Korea have ended, according to DEFCON Warning System
Analysts believe the rogue state has developed an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and miniaturised a nuclear weapon to fit on it, though there is debate over how accurate its current arsenal is.

But in its latest report, DEFCON Warning System says, even if Kim does not have the capability of targeting a specific city or area accurately, his ICBMs are still capable of hitting the mainland United States.

It says: “The International Atomic Energy Agency says North Korea has made significant progress in its nuclear program and that it poses a new level of threat to the international community.

“While many experts do not believe that North Korea yet possesses the ability to strike the United States directly, the DEFCON Warning System points out that the experts are assessing the accuracy and success rate of such an attack.

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“DEFCON Warning System continues to warn that an inaccurate strike is still a successful strike.”

However the latest report says: “There are currently no imminent nuclear threats against the United States at this time.”

It concludes that the current threat of nuclear war is level four out of five. Level one is the highest, and if used by the US military would mean nuclear war was imminent.

The DEFCON Warning System in a private intelligence organisation which gathers the latest publicly available information on a potential nuclear conflict from across the United States.

The group also says it has some contacts within the US Government and military agencies.

It is not the same as the official, classified US military DEFCON rating, which is short for defence readiness condition.


U.S. Military Begins Drills to Evacuate Americans From South Korea…
Oct 16, 2017 | 0 |
U.S. Military Begins Drills to Evacuate Americans From South Korea…
The United States military said on Monday that it would practice evacuating noncombatant Americans out of South Korea in the event of war and other emergencies, as the two allies began a joint naval exercise amid heightened tensions with North Korea. The evacuation drill, known as Courageous Channel, is scheduled from next Monday through Friday and is aimed at preparing American “service members and their families to respond to a wide range of crisis management events such as
noncombatant evacuation and natural or man-made disasters,” the United States military said in a statement. It has been conducting similar noncombatant evacuation exercises for decades, along with other joint military exercises with South Korea. But when tensions escalate with North Korea, as they have recently, such drills draw outsize attention and ignite fear among South Koreans, some of whom take them as a sign that the United States might be preparing for military action against the North.
READ MORE https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/16/world/asia/us-drills-evacuate-civilians.html

BREAKING: Trump Sends In The Navy…
October 12, 2017 Ben Baker
https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/trump-navy/?utm_campaign=CNA_20170715&utm_source=boomtrain&bt_alias=eyJ1c2VySWQiOiAiMjA0NzVlMjEtYmFkYy00ZGM0LTkxMDYtOTUwZDNlN2Q5MjRlIn0%3D&utm_medium=automated
With the ever-present threat of war between the US and North Korea, both sides are bound to take measures to prepare for conflict.

According to Daily Star, Trump has given the order to improve our defenses and possibly give us a nearby asset for an attack. He’s sent an aircraft carrier with 7,500 sailors and marines near the Korean peninsula.

The aircraft carrier is the USS Theodore Roosevelt; it’s a Nimitz-class warship costing $4.5 billion. Known as the “Big Stick,” its presence in the Korean peninsula will go a long way towards providing effective defense or offense should the occasion call for it.

The US military announced that the carrier will be operating in the Pacific and the Middle East carrying out security operations. The South Korean media declared that it was sent solely for defensive purposes.

In any case, the presence of the massive warship should help dissuade Kim Jong-un from launching another missile. According to a strike group commander on the ship, Admiral Steve Koehler, the USS Roosevelt is a force to be reckoned with.

In a statement before the weeks-long trip, he said, “The US Navy carrier strike group is the most versatile, capable force at sea. After nearly a year of training and integration exercises, the entire team is ready as a warfighting force and ready to carry out the nation’s tasking.”

The USS Roosevelt will be the second aircraft carrier operating in the region. At this time, the USS Ronald Reagan is already coordinating with the Japanese military in joint military exercises near Okinawa.

While the ship does provide a significant increase to defense in the area, it also acts as a strong show of force to dissuade any action by North Korea.

In addition to a greater sea presence, the US has also been increasing its air presence in the area, according to Daily Star. A reconnaissance plane equipped with radar used to detect ballistic missiles was seen flying near the sea of Japan.

This aircraft, often nicknamed a “nuke sniffer,” completed “regular deployment training” Tuesday night, according to military officials. Alongside it in the air were two B-1B bombers and three other aircraft.

North Korea has not stopped making nuclear weapons. Do you think Trump did the right thing?

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The activity in the area signifies how tense things have gotten between the two nations as Kim Jong-un continues testing his ballistic weapons and enhancing his nuclear arsenal. Before the planes took to the air, President Trump met with various US generals in the White House War Room to go over plans for the impending danger North Korea poses.

According to the Independent, North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, has made increasing threats against the US on behalf of his leader, “With his bellicose and insane statement at the United Nations, Trump, you can say, has lit the wick of a war against us. We need to settle the final score, only with a hail of fire, not words.”

With such strong words coming out of North Korea, it’s reassuring that the threat is being taken seriously and defensive measures like the USS Roosevelt are being put in place.

BREAKING: China Sends Military Warning to U.S. – Please Pray
October 12, 2017 Luis Miguel
https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/china-military-warning/?utm_campaign=CNA_20170715&utm_source=boomtrain&bt_alias=eyJ1c2VySWQiOiAiMjA0NzVlMjEtYmFkYy00ZGM0LTkxMDYtOTUwZDNlN2Q5MjRlIn0%3D&utm_medium=automated
The US maintains a tense relationship with China. Although the two nations depend heavily on one another as trade partners, American leadership has long understood that the Communist-controlled East Asian country sees the US as an adversary and a threat to its hegemonic control of the region.

A recent military warning from China makes this clear. According to MSN News, Beijing sent a guided missile frigate, two fighter jets, and a helicopter to warn off a US destroyer near disputed islands in the South China Sea. China accused the US of disrupting its security interests in the area.

The USS Chafee was on a mission known as the “freedom of navigation” operation Tuesday when it sailed within 16 nautical miles of the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Beijing immediately took this as an act of provocation.

The Chinese government dispatched the guided-missile Type 054A frigate Huangshan, two J-11B fighter jets and one Z-8 helicopter, which identified the US destroyer and urged it to depart. China’s Foreign Ministry quickly released a message to the American government, asking it to “respect the sovereignty and security” of the Communist country.

Hua Chunying, the spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said, “The US destroyer’s behavior violated Chinese law and relevant international law, severely harmed China’s sovereignty and security interests and threatened the lives of military personnel of both sides.”

But according to US military officials, the Chafee did not violate the islands’ 12-nautical mile territorial limits. The destroyer’s mission was to challenge “excessive maritime claims” in the region.

In fact, US vessels have commonly sailed past the South China Sea’s disputed islets–a norm that has repeatedly triggered outraged reactions from the Chinese government. The region is highly contested by multiple nations.

China, Taiwan, and Vietnam all claim the Paracel archipelago. Meanwhile, the Spratly Islands are contested by Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. The South China Sea is a geopolitical hotspot–an area in which Beijing seeks to assert its dominance.

As Christian News Alerts has covered, Chinese dissident billionaire Guo Wengui–who has fled to the US to escape political punishment in his native country–revealed that Beijing has an extensive spy system consisting of 40,000 intelligence officers in America. Guo has been critical of China’s ruling regime, its human rights abuses, and its alliance with North Korea.

And as reported by The Washington Free Beacon, Guo said China has a three-pronged campaign of subversion in America called “Blue-Gold-Yellow.” Each color represents a different level of attack. The dissident billionaire explained that Beijing seeks to financially weaken the US and throw it into economic turmoil. It also wants to use sex to subvert American culture, as well as launch large-scale cyber attacks.

China just sent the US a warning message. How should President Trump respond?

POLL: Should The US Remain Friends With China?

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The US has relied heavily on China to reign in the rogue Kim regime of North Korea, which is continually refining its missile systems to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of hitting the US mainland.

As NPR noted, China accounts for the vast majority of North Korea’s trade. Beijing has taken some measures against North Korea, such as shutting off its central bank to Pyongyang. But suspicion remains about whether China is secretly backing North Korea’s hostility in order to topple the US.

WAR DRIUMS
Earthquake rocks North Korea as fears Kim detonates nuke
Oct 12, 2017 | 0 |
Earthquake rocks North Korea as fears Kim detonates nuke
The 2.9 magnitude earthquake hit the North Hamgyong province of North Korea moments ago. The quake was detected in the same location as previous nuclear tests, 29km north-east of Sungjibaegam. The state’s media reports the rumble was detected on the Earth’s surface – citing a depth of 5km.
The area is where the hermit kingdom has carried out previous nuclear tests, prompting fears of a new drill. A statement on the US Geological Survey website said: “This event occurred in the area of the previous North Korean Nuclear tests. “The event has earthquake like characteristics, however, we cannot conclusively confirm at this time the nature (natural or human-made) of the event.”
READ MORE http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/651884/North-Korea-earthquake-nuclear-explosion-magnitude-Kim-Jong-in

Mysterious absence of North Korea’s ‘rocket men’ raises new nuke, missile fears
Oct 12, 2017 | 0 |
Mysterious absence of North Korea’s ‘rocket men’ raises new nuke, missile fears
Two key officials involved in North Korea’s nuclear and missile program were reportedly nowhere to be seen during public events this week, fueling speculation that another missile launch or nuke test could be imminent. Ri Man-gon, supervisor of the department for the nuclear and missile development, and Kim Rak-gyom, the head of the strategic rocket forces, were noticeably missing at a Saturday mass rally
in Pyongyang and a Tuesday celebration for the anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea, according to South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo. A government-funded organization staff member told the publication there was “little chance” the top officials were removed from their positions because they were “praised for [recent] major achievements.” “It’s highly likely that they were absent because they’d been given an important assignment,” the individual said.
READ MOREhttp://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/12/top-north-korean-officials-in-missile-program-missing-from-recent-celebrations-report-says.html
Mysterious absence of North Korea's 'rocket men' raises new nuke, missile fears
Fox News
Ri Man-gon (left) and Kim Rak-gyom (right) were reportedly missing from recent public events, fueling speculation there could be another missile launch soon. (Reuters)

Two key officials involved in North Korea’s nuclear and missile program were reportedly nowhere to be seen during public events this week, fueling speculation that another missile launch or nuke test could be imminent.

Ri Man-gon, supervisor of the department for the nuclear and missile development, and Kim Rak-gyom, the head of the strategic rocket forces, were noticeably missing at a Saturday mass rally in Pyongyang and a Tuesday celebration for the anniversary of the Worker’s Party of Korea, according to South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo.

NORTH KOREA SAYS TRUMP 'LIT THE WICK OF WAR,' VOWS 'A HAIL OF FIRE'

A government-funded organization staff member told the publication there was “little chance” the top officials were removed from their positions because they were “praised for [recent] major achievements.”

"It's highly likely that they were absent because they'd been given an important assignment,” the individual said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a ballistic rocket launching drill of Hwasong artillery units of the Strategic Force of the KPA on the spot in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang March 7, 2017. KCNA/via REUTERSATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1A482860C0
Kim Rak-gyom (circled) is pictured with Kim Jong Un in March 2017. South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo said the commander joined Kim in the visit to the military base. (Reuters)
The discovery was based on recently released photos of celebrations and rallies on Saturday and Tuesday. Ri and Kim have been present at previous public events.

On Thursday, a 2.9-magnitude earthquake was detected in Sungjibaegam, near the site were previous nuclear tests were conducted, U.S. Geological Survey reported. It's not thought to be caused by a nuclear bomb test. The Sept. 3 nuclear test yielded a 6.3 magnitude quake.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) visits the Sinuiju Measuring Instrument Factory in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang September 4, 2015. REUTERS/KCNA ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA. - GF10000193127
Ri Man-gon (circled) is pictured with Kim Jong Un in September 2015 at Sinuiji Measuring Instrument Factory. (Reuters)
NORTH KOREA COULD USE HOLIDAY AS EXCUSE TO PROVOKE US, EXPERTS SAY

Officials have warned that North Korea could use special holidays to launch a new missile. Monday marked the anniversary of the country’s first nuclear bomb test carried out 11 years ago. North Korean citizens also continued to celebrate the Worker’s Party anniversary throughout the week.

The Hermit Kingdom has carried out its previous nuclear tests during Memorial Day Weekend, Lunar New Year celebrations in China and Kim Jong Un’s birthday.

Gen. Jack Keane (Ret.), Fox News military analyst, on President Trump's handling of tensions with North Korea.Video
Military options strengthening Trump's diplomatic hand with North Korea?

Pyongyang carried out its last missile launch in September. That missile flew over Japan before splashing into the Pacific Ocean. The missile reached a height of 480 miles and flew 2,300 miles out, putting Guam in range for a possible strike that Kim Jong Un has threatened in recent months.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho continued his scathing attack on Wednesday after President Trump’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly, saying the U.S. president “lit the wick of war” with his words.

“We need to settle the final score, only with a hail of fire, not words,” Ri said to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.

WAR DRUMS: Trump summons top US generals for North Korea briefing
Oct 10, 2017 | 0 |
WAR DRUMS: Trump summons top US generals for North Korea briefing
The North Korea crisis deepens tonight after Donald Trump summoned his key military generals and the senior members of the National Security Council top-level briefing on Kim Jong-un. Donald Trump’s North Korea meeting was held the meeting in the situation room in the White House where US Presidents traditionally hold “war councils” at times of conflict. The most senior US general recently told
the American army to “stand ready” for war with North Korea. General James ‘Mad dog’ Mattis warned it is impossible to tell what the future holds for the crisis, but urged US troops to be prepared for a confrontation with Kim Jong-un. He said while Donald Trump is committed to finding a diplomatic solution, the US Army must “stand ready” to fight. The move comes after North Korea issued its latest warning to the USA which described Mr Trump as a “lunatic” and said he needed to be prepared for “total destruction”.
READ MORE http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/864800/World-War-3-North-Korea-US-Donald-Trump-Kim-Jong-un-generals

ALERT: N. Korea Issues Horrifying Video Threat
September 25, 2017 Frank Spear
https://www.christiannewsalerts.com/n-korea-issues-horrifying-video-threat/?utm_medium=push&utm_source=AP&utm_campaign=onesignal
North Korea likes to get their people excited for potential conflict. One of their newest videos shows off one of their most common practices and, fair warning, it is disturbing.
North Korea recently released a doctored video that depicts US aircraft being destroyed by a Pukguksong missile, according to Yahoo News. The latest images came from the state-owned website DPRK Today. The footage was released mere hours after US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers from Guam surveyed the area

Along with the US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers, there were also US Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter escorts that took off from Japan. No actual missiles were launched.

However, the pilots were on high alert. The area they were surveying was further north of the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea than any US aircraft has flown in many, many years.

Aside from the fake bombing of the aircraft shown in the video, there is also a video circulating that depicts a North Korean submarine-launched missile hitting the USS Carl Vinson. This is meant to get the people of North Korea to support Kim Jong-un’s war efforts.

The videos also included captions. They read, “Should F-35, B-1B, and the Carl Vinson lead the US attack, they will head to the grave in that order.”

While the warning may have been meant to intimidate the United States, it has done quite the opposite. Everyone here knows that our military power far outweighs North Korea’s. Furthermore, North Korea is known for their empty threats.

In past videos, the North Koreans depicted the White House getting destroyed and, oddly enough, President Trump standing in a graveyard.

Kim Jong-un recently held a rally at Kim II Sung Square, where government officials attempted to stir up over 100,000 North Koreans.

“We are waiting for the right time to have a final battle with the US, the evil empire, and to remove the US from the world,” stated Ri Il-bae, an official with the Red Guards. He continued, “Once respected Supreme commander Kim Jong-un gives an order, we will annihilate the group of aggressors.”

Protestors at the rally were yelling slogans such as “total destruction,” as sentiment towards the US was further eroded by Kim and his high-ranking officials. Footage of rallies like these are jarring. North Korea reminds one of a dystopian society — one where the citizens have little to no actionable understanding of the real world. They, in many cases, still believe they’re following a god.

Is North Korea pushing us toward war?

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Chances are, tensions between the United States and North Korea will continue to flare up. Kim knows that an attack on the US would lead to the end of his regime, and the unfortunate destruction of his otherwise-beautiful nation. The people of North Korea deserve to be free of Kim’s uncannily cruel grasp, but the dictator is using their innocence, and their numbers, as a shield.

It is scarcely possible to draw up a military solution to the problems we’re facing in North Korea that does not involve civilian casualties. Kim knows the United States seeks to avoid such casualties, and is likely hiding behind his citizenry.

WAR DRUMS: North Korea moves warplanes into American bomber flight path…
Sep 26, 2017 | 0  |    
WAR DRUMS: North Korea moves warplanes into American bomber flight path…
North Korea has moved jet fighters to the coast to intercept US bombers after accusing Donald Trump of “declaring war”. The dictatorship’s foreign minister yesterday claimed Pyongyang could target US jets flying outside North Korean airspace after President Donald Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said that while Pyongyang did not appear to have

picked up the presence of the US B-1B Lancer warplanes over the weekend, it had since bolstered its coastal defenses. Lee Cheol-Woo, the chief of the National Assembly’s intelligence committee, said: “North Korea relocated its warplanes and strengthened defenses along the east coast.” Meanwhile, the White House has blasted North Korea’s “absurd” claims that the US has “declared war” on Kim Jong-un’s rogue nation.
READ MORE https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4543242/white-house-blast-north-korea-us-war-declared-shoot-down-planes/

WAR DRUMS: North Korea moves warplanes into American bomber flight path…
Sep 26, 2017 | 0 |
WAR DRUMS: North Korea moves warplanes into American bomber flight path…
North Korea has moved jet fighters to the coast to intercept US bombers after accusing Donald Trump of “declaring war”. The dictatorship’s foreign minister yesterday claimed Pyongyang could target US jets flying outside North Korean airspace after President Donald Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said that while Pyongyang did not appear to have

picked up the presence of the US B-1B Lancer warplanes over the weekend, it had since bolstered its coastal defenses. Lee Cheol-Woo, the chief of the National Assembly’s intelligence committee, said: “North Korea relocated its warplanes and strengthened defenses along the east coast.” Meanwhile, the White House has blasted North Korea’s “absurd” claims that the US has “declared war” on Kim Jong-un’s rogue nation.
READ MORE https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4543242/white-house-blast-north-korea-us-war-declared-shoot-down-planes/

READY TO STRIKE North Korea moves warplanes into US bombers’ flight path after warning Trump they’ll shoot down any American jet they see
The dictatorship's foreign minister yesterday claimed Pyongyang could target US jets flying outside North Korean airspace
By Corey Charlton and Sam Webb
26th September 2017, 7:56 amUpdated: 26th September 2017, 10:20 am
VIDEOs

NORTH Korea has moved jet fighters to the coast to intercept US bombers after accusing Donald Trump of "declaring war".

The dictatorship's foreign minister yesterday claimed Pyongyang could target US jets flying outside North Korean airspace after President Donald Trump threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea.

US bombers accompanied by fighter jets flew off the east coast of North Korea on SaturdayAFP OR LICENSORS
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US bombers accompanied by fighter jets flew off the east coast of North Korea on Saturday
Tension is high between President Trump and Kim Jong-un over North Korea's nuke testsAFP OR LICENSORS
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Tension is high between President Trump and Kim Jong-un over North Korea's nuke tests
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting a fighter plane in 2014. His regime has accused the US of declaring warEPA
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting a fighter plane in 2014. His regime has accused the US of declaring war
Ri claimed North Korea would now be justified in shooting down US jetsAP:ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Ri claimed North Korea would now be justified in shooting down US jets
A North Korean MiG fighter jet intercepts a U.S. surveillance plane over the Sea of Japan in 2003US DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
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A North Korean MiG fighter jet intercepts a U.S. surveillance plane over the Sea of Japan in 2003

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Trump has 'not declared war on North Korea' and the suggestion 'is absurd
South Korea's National Intelligence Service said that while Pyongyang did not appear to have picked up the presence of the US B-1B
Lancer warplanes over the weekend, it had since bolstered its coastal defences.

Lee Cheol-Woo, the chief of the National Assembly's intelligence committee, said: "North Korea relocated its warplanes and strengthened defences along the east coast."

Meanwhile, the White House has blasted North Korea's "absurd" claims that the US has "declared war" on Kim Jong-un's rogue nation.

US spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: "We have not declared war against North Korea and frankly the suggestion of that is absurd."

Speaking outside his New York hotel yesterday, North Korea's Ri Yong-ho said: "Trump claimed our leadership would not be around much longer. He declared a war on our country.

"All the member states and the whole world should clearly remember it was the United States that first declared war on our country."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders hit back at the claims saying: 'We have not declared war against North Korea'ALAMY LIVE NEWS
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White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders hit back at the claims saying: 'We have not declared war against North Korea'


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Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!
4:08 AM - Sep 24, 2017
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Kim Jong Un blasts Donald Trump as 'mentally deranged' and vows to make him pay for threatening to destroy North Korea
He added: "Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to take counter-measures including the right to shoot down US strategic bombers even when they are not yet inside the airspace border of country."

Ri referred to Trump's recent tweet that said: "Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won't be around much longer!"

The North Korean diplomat responded: "The question of who will be around much longer will be answered then."

In his first address to the General Assembly, Trump last week threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea if it challenged America or its allies and derided leader Kim Jong-un as a "Little Rocket Man" who was "on a suicide mission."

In his brief address to reporters before heading to the airport, Ri said the international community had hoped the "war of words between the DPRK and the United States not turn into real actions."

US bombers and fighter jets sent ​close to North Korea​n borders​ in show of force
Kim Jong-un hit back at Trump, labelling him 'deranged' and a 'dotard'AP:ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Kim Jong-un hit back at Trump, labelling him 'deranged' and a 'dotard'

Kim Jong Un says North Korea will consider a the highest level of 'hard line countermeasure' in history against the U.S in response to President Donald Trump
The North Korean nuclear crisis has dominated this year's gathering of world leaders at the UN amid fears that the heated rhetoric could accidentally trigger a war.

North Korea in recent weeks detonated its sixth nuclear bomb and has test-fired intercontinental missiles - saying it needs to defend itself against hostility from the United States and its allies.

During his address to the General Assembly on Saturday, Ri launched a personal attack on Trump, calling him a "mentally deranged person full of megalomania".

Just hours before Ri took the UN podium, US bombers flew off the east coast of North Korea, the furthest north of the demilitarised zone that any US aircraft has flown this century.

The Pentagon said the mission was a "demonstration of US resolve and a clear message that the president has many military options to defeat any threat."

Trump's threat to destroy North Korea made "our rockets' visit to the entire US mainland all the more inevitable," Ri said on Saturday.
President Trump says options for dealing with North Korea are 'overwhelming' during speech to US Air Force
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4543242/white-house-blast-north-korea-us-war-declared-shoot-down-planes/