US deploy jets as North Korea tensions rise

[babsbunny]

US deploy jets as North Korea tensions rise

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/us-deploy-jets-as-north-korea-tensions-rise-1693268.html

Reuters

Saturday, 30 May 2009


The first of 12 high-tech U.S. F-22 fighter jets landed on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa on Saturday, days after North Korea unnerved the region by detonating a nuclear device.

The arrival of the top-of-the line aircraft at Kadena air force base comes after U.S. President Barack Obama reassured Prime Minister Taro Aso in a telephone conversation this week of Washington's commitment to the defence of its Asian ally.

"The deployment underscores the U.S. commitment to Japan as a vital regional partner and signals U.S. resolve to ensure stability and security throughout the Pacific region," the U.S. Air Force said in a statement on Friday.

[Marksbrother]

1. N. Korea is a small country and is no threat to the U.S.

What possible motive would the U.S. have for demonizing it beyond what it is? Does the military/security complex need a new "enemy"?

[Juche]

2. North korea is a huge threat

They are the most human rights unfriendly dictatorship on earth, they have threatened Japan & South Korea with WMD on many occasions, they have no respect for international law (far less than even we do, they sell drugs and weapons on the black market). Blackmailing the international community makes up a big part of their economy.

They are not a direct threat to us (their missiles may hit alaska, I don't know) but they are a threat to stability in the region and a threat to S. Korea and Japan.

[Fire1]

5. Exactly. You don't play with that kind of evil.

[lapfog_1]

3. Hmmm...

From Wikipedia:

"According to the U.S. Department of State, North Korea has the fifth-largest army in the world, at an estimated 1.21 million armed personnel, with about 20% of men aged 17–54 in the regular armed forces.<38> North Korea has the highest percentage of military personnel per capita of any nation in the world, with approximately 1 enlisted soldier for every 25 citizens.<39> Military strategy is designed for insertion of agents and sabotage behind enemy lines in wartime,<38> with much of the KPA's forces deployed along the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone. According to official North Korean media, planned military expenditures for 2009 are 15.8% of GDP."

20 percent of all men from 17 to 54 are in the military. About 16% of GDP spent on military. Remember that North Korea is starving, with up to half the population under nourished. And they have few external commitments regarding use of their military.

[lapfog_1]

4. delete... browser oops.

[Texasgal]

6. Oh shit...

I was afraid this was going to happen.

[Hoopla Phil]

7. If they are repositioning the F-22's then this is a very serious situation.

[davidpdx]

8. I believe I read somewhere that the jets where already

coming over to Korea anyway. The timing has nothing to do with the current crisis, though it is possible the could be useful if something happens.