US tanks and other military hardware spotted at Noryangjin Station, South Korea heading North-East
21
April, 2017
US tanks and other military hardware spotted at Noryangjin Station, South Korea heading North-East 
https://already-happened.com/2017/04/21/us-tanks-and-other-military-hardware-spotted-at-noryangjin-station-south-korea-heading-north-east/ …
https://already-happened.com/2017/04/21/us-tanks-and-other-military-hardware-spotted-at-noryangjin-station-south-korea-heading-north-east/ …
South
Korea said on Friday it was on heightened alert ahead of another
important anniversary in North Korea, with a large concentration of
military hardware amassed on both sides of the border amid concerns
about a new nuclear test by Pyongyang.
U.S.
officials said there was a higher-than-usual level of activity by
Chinese bombers, signalling a possible heightened state of readiness
by reclusive North Korea’s sole major ally, although the officials
played down concern and left open a range of possible reasons.
Beijing denied its aircraft were on an increased level of alert.
In
Russia, the RIA news agency said a Kremlin spokesman declined to
comment on media reports Russia was moving military hardware and
troops towards the border with North Korea.
U.S.
and South Korean officials have been saying for weeks that the North
could soon stage another nuclear test in violation of United Nations
sanctions, something both the United States and China have warned
against.
South Korea on heightened alert as North Korea readies for army anniversary
21
April, 2017
South
Korea was on heightened alert on Friday ahead of another important
anniversary in North Korea, with a large concentration of military
hardware amassed on both sides of the border amid concerns about a
new nuclear test by Pyongyang.
North
Korea will mark the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean
People's Army on Tuesday, as it concludes winter military drills at
the same time as U.S. and South Korean exercises running until the
end of April, South Korea's Unification Ministry spokesman Lee
Duk-haeng said.
"It
is a situation where a lot of exercise equipment is amassed in North
Korea and also a lot of strategic assets are situated on the Korean
peninsula because of the South Korea-U.S. military drills," Lee
told a briefing.
"We
are closely watching the situation," he said, adding that South
Korea would not let its guard down.
North
Korea said on Friday the state of affairs on the Korean peninsula was
"extremely perilous" because of "madcap American
nuclear war maneuvers aimed at trampling on our sovereignty and right
to survival."
Tensions
have risen sharply in recent months after North Korea conducted two
nuclear weapons tests last year and carried out a steady stream of
ballistic missile tests. U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to
prevent North Korea from being able to hit the United States with a
nuclear missile.
South
Korean acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn told top officials on Thursday
that given the April 25 anniversary, there were concerns that North
Korea "can make another provocation again at any time."
New
satellite imagery analyzed by 38 North, a Washington-based North
Korea monitoring project, found some activity under way at North
Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, but said it was unclear whether
the site was in a "tactical pause" ahead of another test or
was carrying out normal operations.
"Regardless,
satellite imagery continues to indicate that the Punggye-ri nuclear
test site appears able to conduct a sixth nuclear test at any time
once the order is received from Pyongyang," 38 North said in an
analysis on Friday.
U.S.
officials said there was a higher-than-usual level of activity by
Chinese bombers, signaling a possible heightened state of readiness
by reclusive North Korea's sole major ally, although the officials
played down concern and left open a range of possible reasons.
Beijing denied its aircraft were on an increased level of alert.
The
Russian military on Friday denied media reports that it was building
up its forces near the border with North Korea, the Interfax news
agency reported, citing an army spokesman. Moscow said military
movements seen by residents there were part of pre-planned exercises.
U.S.
and South Korean officials have been saying for weeks that the North
could soon stage another nuclear test in violation of United Nations
sanctions, something the United States, China and others have warned
against.
On
Thursday, Trump praised Chinese efforts to rein in "the menace
of North Korea", after North Korean state media warned the
United States of a "super-mighty preemptive strike."
"UNUSUAL
MOVES"
By
Ju-min Park and Ben Blanchard | SEOUL/BEIJING
South
Korea was on heightened alert on Friday ahead of another important
anniversary in North Korea, with a large concentration of military
hardware amassed on both sides of the border amid concerns about a
new nuclear test by Pyongyang.
North
Korea will mark the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean
People's Army on Tuesday, as it concludes winter military drills at
the same time as U.S. and South Korean exercises running until the
end of April, South Korea's Unification Ministry spokesman Lee
Duk-haeng said.
"It
is a situation where a lot of exercise equipment is amassed in North
Korea and also a lot of strategic assets are situated on the Korean
peninsula because of the South Korea-U.S. military drills," Lee
told a briefing.
"We
are closely watching the situation," he said, adding that South
Korea would not let its guard down.
North
Korea said on Friday the state of affairs on the Korean peninsula was
"extremely perilous" because of "madcap American
nuclear war maneuvers aimed at trampling on our sovereignty and right
to survival."
Tensions
have risen sharply in recent months after North Korea conducted two
nuclear weapons tests last year and carried out a steady stream of
ballistic missile tests. U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to
prevent North Korea from being able to hit the United States with a
nuclear missile.
South
Korean acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn told top officials on Thursday
that given the April 25 anniversary, there were concerns that North
Korea "can make another provocation again at any time."
New
satellite imagery analyzed by 38 North, a Washington-based North
Korea monitoring project, found some activity under way at North
Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, but said it was unclear whether
the site was in a "tactical pause" ahead of another test or
was carrying out normal operations.
"Regardless,
satellite imagery continues to indicate that the Punggye-ri nuclear
test site appears able to conduct a sixth nuclear test at any time
once the order is received from Pyongyang," 38 North said in an
analysis on Friday.
U.S.
officials said there was a higher-than-usual level of activity by
Chinese bombers, signaling a possible heightened state of readiness
by reclusive North Korea's sole major ally, although the officials
played down concern and left open a range of possible reasons.
Beijing denied its aircraft were on an increased level of alert.
The
Russian military on Friday denied media reports that it was building
up its forces near the border with North Korea, the Interfax news
agency reported, citing an army spokesman. Moscow said military
movements seen by residents there were part of pre-planned exercises.
U.S.
and South Korean officials have been saying for weeks that the North
could soon stage another nuclear test in violation of United Nations
sanctions, something the United States, China and others have warned
against.
On
Thursday, Trump praised Chinese efforts to rein in "the menace
of North Korea", after North Korean state media warned the
United States of a "super-mighty preemptive strike."
"UNUSUAL
MOVES"
›North
Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that its military was
ready to respond to American aggression.
"Now
that we possess mighty nuclear power to protect ourselves from U.S.
nuclear threat, we will respond without the slightest hesitation to
full-out war with full-out war and to nuclear war with our style of
nuclear strike, and we will emerge victor in the final battle with
the United States."
Trump
told a news conference on Thursday, "Some very unusual moves
have been made over the last two or three hours. He said he was
confident Chinese President Xi Jinping would "try very hard"
to pressure North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs.
Trump
gave no indication of what the moves might be. None of the U.S.
officials who told Reuters about the heightened level of activity by
Chinese bombers suggested alarm or signaled that they knew the
precise reason for such activity.
In
a tweet on Friday, Trump said: "China is very much the economic
lifeline to North Korea so, while nothing is easy, if they want to
solve the North Korean problem, they will."
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said, to "to maximize pressure on
the North, and to ensure China's constructive role."
China's
Defence Ministry said its forces on the border with North Korea were
maintaining a state of normal combat preparedness and training.
Asked
about Trump's comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang
said Xi and Trump had had a full discussion about North Korea when
they met this month.
"I
can only say that via deep communications between China and the U.S.
at various levels including at the highest levels, the U.S. now has
an even fuller and more correct understanding of China's policy and
position and has a more rounded understanding of China's efforts,"
Lu said. "We feel very gratified about this."
An
official Chinese newspaper said there was optimism about persuading
North Korea to end its pursuit of a nuclear program without the use
of force, "now that even the once tough-talking Donald Trump is
onboard for a peaceful solution."
"Beijing
has demonstrated due enthusiasm for Washington's newfound interest in
a diplomatic solution and willingness to work more closely with it,"
the state-run China Daily said in an editorial.
North
Korea has said it will conduct nuclear and missile tests when it sees
fit.
North
Korea test-fired what the United States believed was a mid-range
missile on Sunday. It blew up almost immediately.
21
April, 2017
Satellite
images of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site from April 19 indicate
that North Korea may have resumed preparations for a possible
imminent nuclear test.
According
to 38
North,
a North Korea analysis program at the Johns Hopkins University,
probable trailers have been spotted near the North Portal, the tunnel
that North Korea appears to have been preparing for a nuclear test.
While no recent dumping is observed, there are at least five mining
carts along the tracks leading to the spoil pile and one probable
small equipment trailer adjacent to the support building. A net
canopy remains in place, presumably concealing equipment, and the
pumping of water out of the tunnel to maintain an environment optimal
for instrumentation and stemming seems to have ceased.
Figure
1. Probable trailers observed near the North Portal.
At
the Main Administrative Area, no volleyball games are observed, but
the outline of the court in the north courtyard is still visible.
There is a small truck or van present in the south courtyard along
with several unidentified objects and activities. While the imagery
is not high enough resolution to determine what these objects are,
some may be supplies or equipment with tarps or netting draped over
them.
Figure
2. Several unidentified objects and activities observed at the Main
Administrative Area.
No
activity of significance is noted at the West Portal, South Portal,
Command Center Area or elsewhere in the facility.
As
38 North concludes, "It is unclear if the noted activity
represents a “tactical pause” before a forthcoming nuclear test,
a broader more prolonged “stand down” from testing or normal
facility operations. Regardless, satellite
imagery continues to indicate that the Punggye-ri nuclear test site
appears able to conduct a sixth nuclear test at any time once the
order is received from Pyongyang."
As
a reminder, earlier today Reuters reported that South Korea was on a
heightened state of alert ahead of a major army event in the North,
set for next Tuesday, April 25.
"Although
North Korea attempted a missile launch but failed on April 16,
considering the April 25 anniversary of the Korean People's Army,
there are concerns that it can make another provocation again at any
time," South Korea's acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn told top
officials on Thursday.
Also
worth noting: April 25 is when the USS Carl Vinson is scheduled to
finally arrive off the coast of the Korean Penninsula.
Japanese
destroyers join US strike group amid tensions on Korean Peninsula
RT,
21
April, 2017
Two
Japanese Navy destroyers have joined the carrier strike group ‘USS
Carl Vinson’ heading towards the Korean Peninsula for a massive
show of force as North Korea prepares to mark the 85th anniversary of
the foundation of its military.
The
Japanese warships, destroyers ‘Ashigara’ and ‘Samidare’, left
the navy’s Sasebo base early on Friday for a rendezvous with the
‘USS Carl Vinson’ group off North Korean shores, NHK reports.
Defense
Ministry officials said the details of the joint US-Japan naval
exercise are yet to be determined. The drill comes as an apparent
show of force aimed at deterring North Korea, which will mark the
85th anniversary of the foundation of its military next week.
Though
little is known about the naval exercise, the event was announced by
the Japanese Navy earlier last week.
“Japan
wants to dispatch several destroyers as the ‘Carl Vinson’ enters
the East China Sea,” said
one of the Japanese military sources, as cited by Reuters.
The
source added that the drills would involve helicopter landings on
both American and Japanese ships as well as communications training.
The
American strike group includes Nimitz-class aircraft carrier ‘USS
Carl Vinson’ with
her air wing, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers ‘USS
Wayne E. Meyer’ and ‘USS
Michael Murphy’,
as well as Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser ‘USS
Lake Champlain’.
The
strike group will operate in the region under the operational control
of the 3rd Fleet as part of the 3rd Fleet Forward
initiative, according to
the US Navy.
Its
arrival to the Western Pacific was marked by a string of conflicting
statements from the White House and the Pentagon. Last week, US
President Donald Trump told Fox Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo
that “we
are sending an armada, very powerful. We have submarines, very
powerful – far more powerful than the aircraft carrier.”
The
news, however, was downplayed by US military officials after it
emerged that the strike group was heading to Australia instead of the
Korean Peninsula. Some American media reported that the USS Carl
Vinson and her escort ships were operating near Indonesia.
Earlier
this week, a senior White House official accused the military of
misleading the president and his team about the deployment of
the‘Carl
Vinson’, according to
the Wall Street Journal.
Defense
Secretary James Mattis provided a rather vague statement,
saying: “The
Vinson, as I’ve said on the record, was operating up and down the
western Pacific … And that is, we’re shifting her, instead of
continuing one direction as she pulled out of Singapore she’s going
to continue part of our cruise down in that region, but she was on
her way up to Korea.”
The
latest flare-up in tension between the US and North Korea has been
triggered by reports that the state was about to conduct its sixth
nuclear test or fire a nuclear-capable ballistic missile. Washington
threatened to solve the ‘North
Korean problem’ unilaterally,
arguing that Pyongyang poses a threat to US interests in the region.
North
Korea said it was ready to defend itself with all means available,
including weapons of mass destruction. In a series of extraordinary
statements, China, North Korea’s main trading partner and ally,
warned that the region was on the brink of an all-out war.
Russia,
which shares a land border with the hermit state, urged all parties
to refrain from the use of military force
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