Emphasis added by NightWatch.
"…After
receiving a report from Lieutenant General Kim Rak Gyom on the
technical conditions of the strategic strike means of the KPA, he (Kim
Jung Un) made an important decision."
"He said he has judged the time has come to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists in view of the prevailing situation."
"If
they make a reckless provocation with huge strategic forces, the KPA
should mercilessly strike the U.S. mainland, their stronghold, their
military bases in the operational theaters in the Pacific, including
Hawaii and Guam, and those in South Korea, he said."
"He examined and finally ratified the plan of the Strategic Rocket Force for firepower strike."
"The
U.S. imperialists let B-2A make sorties over South Korea in succession,
indicating once again that their hostile acts against the DPRK have
entered a reckless phase, going beyond the phase of threat and
blackmail, he said."
"B-2A's
flight to the sky above South Korea is not a simple demonstration of
forces in reaction to the tough stand of the DPRK but an ultimatum that
they will ignite a nuclear war at any cost on the Korean Peninsula, he
noted, underlining the need to put a definite end to the times when they
could threaten and blackmail the DPRK with nukes."
"He
declared the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK would react to the
U.S. nuclear blackmail with a merciless nuclear attack, and war of
aggression with an all-out war of justice."
"He
finally signed the plan on technical preparations of strategic rockets
of the KPA, ordering them to be standby for fire so that they may strike
any time the U.S. mainland, its military bases in the operational
theaters in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in South
Korea."
"He ordered the KPA to blow up and reduce everything to ashes at a single strike, if an order is issued."
Comment:
There is less here than is apparent because North Korea has had a
rocket and missile firing plan for years. All the forces are not always
on high alert, but some are. The statement simply restates the normal
command procedure: fire when ordered.
The
statement almost belabors the point that no order has been issued. The
threat of North Korean retaliation for a provocation is what armies are
supposed to do. Somebody in the Agitation and Propaganda Department of
the Central Committee apparently judges that every time the US makes any
show of force, the North must put on another phony skit that makes Kim
look defiant and unafraid.
This
is theater and it is clumsy. Nevertheless the situation is dangerous
because Kim has raised the tension higher than his father and
grandfather dared, in abandoning the armistice and raising artillery,
rocket and missiles units to full combat readiness and placing them on
standby. He has made the situation accident prone with no fail safe
mechanisms.
Kim
Il-sung and Kim Chong-il took similar measures during periods of
tension, but they maintained fail safe mechanisms. They also never
publicized their decisions and actions because that would have given
away the element of surprise. They intended to win, if war ever
occurred, and knew they needed to catch the Allies unready and unawares
as a force multiplier in order to succeed. Neither condition applies now
because of all the bombast from the North.
The
sensationalism and staged photo ops in North Korean media are the
strongest indication yet that Kim's inner circle is engaged in public
theater to show the populace and the geriatric Army leaders that Kim is a
worthy leader; to discipline a society that has become complacent and
to strengthen loyalty.
Nevertheless,
the situation is dangerous. Kim and his advisors have brought parts of
North Korea's forces to the brink of general war, even though the
country is not ready for it.
The
challenge now is to find a way to de-escalate the situation before
people get hurt. Kim needs to have something to show for the expense,
aggravation and inconvenience he has caused since December.
From
the Allies he said he wants a permanent peace treaty, the end of
sanctions and normal relations with the US. Kim's needs do not require
the Allies to throw him a life line by making concessions without him
making the first concessions.
Kaesong update.
South
Korea's Unification Ministry said that 160 South Koreans traveled to the
Kaesong complex from the South. The total number of South Koreans at
Kaesong on Thursday was more than 1,000.
South
Korean presidential official said about 1,300 regular phone and fax
lines connecting the South to the Kaesong industrial complex are still
operating normally without disruptions. North Korean officials at the
complex worked with South Korean business managers to arrange today's
crossing of the Demilitarized Zone.
Soliciting Tourism in China
The
Daily NK reported today that North Korea recently sent its director of
tourism to China to drum up hard-currency paying Chinese tourists with
package deals. Air Koryo will add more flights to the number of weekly
flights from Beijing to Pyongyang starting 12 April.
North
Korean officials also have begun another round of working with Chinese
officials in the provinces adjacent to North Korea to increase tourism
and trade.
When
asked whether it is safe to travel to North Korea because of the crisis
situation, the tourism director said that war definitely will not break
out so don't worry.
Mali-France:
France will reduce its troop numbers in Mali to 2,000 by July and to
1,000 by the end of the year, down from 4,000 at present, President
Hollande said on Thursday.
Comment: This
staged withdrawal plan is much more protracted than the three earlier
announcements about early withdrawal of forces. The French have learned
they cannot just leave and do not intend to. Thuss, the announcement
serves as a warning to the jihadists and terrorists, who reportedly
have continued to plot their return after the French withdrawal.
End of NightWatch
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