ROILO GOLEZ, Philippine National Security Adviser (2001-2004). The world and the Philippines as Roilo Golez sees it. With focus on national security, geopolitics, geo-security, economics, science and government.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Golez: The convergence of deadly forces continues in the North Korea area, While China is reportedly pressuring Nokor to stop its nuclear weapons tests and whole program, China is also protesting the installations of THAAD missile defense systems in South Korea.
Golez: The convergence of deadly forces continues in the North Korea area, While China is reportedly pressuring Nokor to stop its nuclear weapons tests and whole program, China is also protesting the installations of THAAD missile defense systems in South Korea. China announced that they will test new weapons which I presume are weapons to counter THAAD or can evade THAAD. Meanwhile, the Carl Vinson carrier battle group is nearing North Korea posturing to get ready for an attack should it become necessary. But it is not all weapons. Secretary Tillerson is also taking the diplomatic route by going to the UN today Friday to further isolate North Korea diplomatically.
Here's news summary per CBS News:
"China's military will continue to carry out live-fire military exercises and test new military equipment in order to firmly safeguard national security and regional peace and stability," Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in Beijing.
"CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz reports that for now, at least, the Trump administration's effort to avoid a possible war are focused on getting North Korea to the negotiating table peacefully, and U.S. officials laid out some options on Wednesday.
"Ratcheting-up diplomatic pressure, harsher sanctions, and the possibility of the U.S. government re-listing the North Korean regime as an official state sponsor of terrorism are all options being discussed.
"While a diplomatic solution is clearly preferred, the U.S. Navy strike group deployed to the Korean Peninsula is now just a few days away, and the Pentagon says it has military plans ready as a last option.
"Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will make his case to further isolate North Korea diplomatically on Friday at the United Nations."
CBS NEWSApril 27, 2017, 9:33 AM
China vows weapons tests as U.S. grapples with "grave" North Korea threat
But with Kim Jong Un's increasingly isolated government suspected of preparing for a sixth underground nuclear test and more missile launches, the U.S. says it just days away from having a new installation of the advanced THAAD missile defense system operational in South Korea.
China, North Korea's main ally, strongly opposes that U.S. move.
On Thursday, a day after South Korea announced significant progress on the THAAD installation, the Chinese vowed to carry out new military drills and test new weapons.
A U.S. military vehicle that's part of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system arrives in Seongju, South Korea, on April 26, 2017.
REUTERS
"China's military will continue to carry out live-fire military exercises and test new military equipment in order to firmly safeguard national security and regional peace and stability," Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in Beijing.
CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz reports that for now, at least, the Trump administration's effort to avoid a possible war are focused on getting North Korea to the negotiating table peacefully, and U.S. officials laid out some options on Wednesday.
Ratcheting-up diplomatic pressure, harsher sanctions, and the possibility of the U.S. government re-listing the North Korean regime as an official state sponsor of terrorism are all options being discussed.
While a diplomatic solution is clearly preferred, the U.S. Navy strike group deployed to the Korean Peninsula is now just a few days away, and the Pentagon says it has military plans ready as a last option.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will make his case to further isolate North Korea diplomatically on Friday at the United Nations.
The most important nation when it comes to pressuring the North, is China, the Kim regime's long-time ally and most valuable trading partner. Beijing has been lax in its enforcement of economic sanctions against North Korea for years, but there have been signs of new efforts by China to squeeze Pyongyang.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that gasoline shortages in North Korea have become severe in recent days, with restrictions on sales being imposed without any explanation by the government. There is no clear evidence to show the acute shortage is the result of a reduction in petroleum imports from China, but some experts think that is the case.
There have also been reports of dramatic reductions in coal imports from North Korea by China this year. Coal is the North's most valuable export.
On Thursday, the U.N. announced that a rights expert will visit the North for the first time next week. It is still unclear, however, how much will she actually be allowed to see.
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