planet earth looks blue

I wrote earlier this month about the planned Pyongyang launch of a satellite, some time in the beginning of April.  The satellite will be launched with Taepodong-2 , a long-range missile, believed to be capable of reaching either Alaska or Hawaii.  Japan, the US, and South Korea are on edge over the launch, which according to South Korean sources could be set off earlier then expected.  Leaders from all three countries will meet in Washington tomorrow to discuss what should, and should not be done.

Japan is most concerned with such a strong show of force in their region.  They also have to worry about debris that is likely to fall over Japan, or at least Japan’s waters.  So far Tokyo has plans to deploy 2 Aegis-equipped destroyers with Standard Missile -3 interceptors from Japan’s coast.  They would of course try to shoot down a missile that was aimed at their own territory, but right now the concern is intercepting the potential debris.  South Korea has the economy to worry about, as the Pyongyang’s satellite will shake Korean markets, but hopefully only for a short time.  The United States has announced they could potentially, possibly, most-likely shoot down the satellite if they needed to, but the American innuendo is probably nothing more than a routine response.  North Korea has said that if the US interferes with Taepodong-2, then it will be considered an act of war.  Also - how would the US military appear to the world if they missed?  Since no one outside of North Korea known when exactly the missile will launch, it is impossible for anyone to coordinate an accurate missile defense.

As worried as Japan, South Korea, and the US are, Russia has pointed out that the aging Kim Jong-il is only making a necessary show of force - for his own country, and that the wisest move would be to leave him alone.  And what about China, the emerging superpower and closest thing that North Korea has to an ally?  They are remaining on the side lines for this one, promoting everyone to take a calm approach.  That is all anyone can do at this point.  We’ll wait and see how far Kim Jong-il will go to prove whatever it is he is trying to prove to the world, to his people, or maybe just to himself.