A conversation with my friend living in South Korea reminded me of what happened last 5 April 2009.
My family and I were in Hong Kong when I first found out about North Korea’s launch of a rocket believed to be Taepo Dong-2. It was morning at HK and I suddenly felt fear. Taepo Dong-2 is a long-range ballistic missile, designed to reach as far as Alaska and parts of Hawaii, developed by the N. Koreans over the years. It’s first launch test, which failed after less than a minute, occurred last 2006. This month’s test was successful and crashed at the Pacific Ocean, near Japan, after traveling 1900 miles or 3100 km as planned
The development of Korea's missile technology.
The launch caused an uproar and an emergency meeting was made among fifteen countries (China, Russia, Japan, among others). The US said the event was “provocative” and S. Korea deemed it “reckless.” Notably, China, Japan, and the Soviet issued milder and safe statements. Other countries, like the three, agreed that there was no immediate danger. Bullshit though. Personally, I think they were being safe, a win-win situation. Russia has ongoing trades with N.Korea and China is concerned over their north borders (which already attracts refugees from N. Korea; feared to attract more refugees in case of a war).
N. Korea issued a statement that the purpose of the launch was to place a civilian satellite into orbit. However, it was not determined whether there was a satellite in the rocket. If there was, the satellite never made it into orbit.
How the nuclear missile works.
What makes this so bad? North Korea has a rich history involving nuclear weapons. They have refused, repeatedly, to agree withdrawal of the development, test, and use of missile technology.
Second, they have one of the largest armies with their government budget dedicated mostly to the military at the expense of the people. Malnutrition, food scarcity, and poor living conditions are prevalent in the country. Many refugees are seeking help outside from China, only to be tricked into forced slavery or prostitution. God, feed your people. The UN intervened once in 1995. Up until now, S. Korea still sends food ration to the N. Korea.
The peerlessly great man of North Korea.
Next is the propaganda. They have limited access to outside news–TV, internet, or radio. Check out their news website here. To make it easy to find the funny posts, you may check out this site. The above illustration are excerpts and titles of actual news from North Korea, lauding Kim II Sung and Kim II Jong, the former and current Presidents respectively, as “the peerlessly great man of North Korea.” (Try googling “peerlessly great man poem/song/ode.”)
Maybe Gloria should do the same. Hmm.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo - The Peerlessly Great Woman.
Illustrations come from Time Magazine (Graphics and Gallery.)
