South Korean President Moon Rules Out War With North

North Korea missile re-entry technology not perfected yet, says South Korea
US military ready to use 'full range' of military capabilities against North Korea: official
Author

17 August, 2017

"Military action on the Korean peninsula can only be decided by South Korea and no one else can decide to take military action without the consent of South Korea", said Moon in televised comments.

Moon's comments follow a spike in animosity generated by North Korea's warning that it might send missiles into waters near the US territory of Guam, and Trump's warlike language.

Moon in May won the country's presidential election on the platform of re-engaging with Pyongyang, which has conducted numerous missile tests this year and has repeatedly threatened its southern neighbor.

"Moon's speech speaks to his frustration, and his nation's wider frustration-and that is the perennial problem that they are not masters of their own destiny when it comes to North Korean geopolitics", said Euan Graham, a director at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney, Australia.

It highlights an interesting feature of South Korea, a strong US ally, trading partner and fellow democracy where there can seem to be as much, maybe more, worry about Trump's unpredictable style of leadership as there is about archrival North Korea.

Only then could Seoul consider sending an envoy to the North, he added.

Dunford also told his South Korean counterparts Monday that the North's missiles and nukes threaten the world.

Many South Koreans ignore Pyongyang because they have lived with near-constant North Korean belligerence, and sometimes violence, since the Korean Peninsula was divided in 1945 and the two countries fought a bloody, three-year war five years later. This would be a deeply provocative act from the US perspective, and there has been widespread debate about whether Washington would try to shoot the missiles down if they're fired.

The US and North Korea must "hit the brakes" and find a peaceful resolution to their ongoing crisis, China's foreign minister said.

But Trump on Friday appeared to set another red line - the mere utterance of threats - that would trigger a United States attack against North Korea and "big, big trouble" for Kim.

The exercise itself has changed several times, and dates back to 1968, when South Korea and the United States created a war game called Focus Lens.

"The most important task at hand is for the USA and North Korea to "hit the brakes" on their mutual needling of each other with words and actions, to lower the temperature of the tense situation and prevent the emergence of an "August crisis", Wang was quoted as saying in the Tuesday conversation.

"The government, putting everything on the line, will block war by all means", Moon said.

US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster recently declared the United Stated was prepared to wage a "preventive war" against North Korea if that was to be deemed necessary - although the current deployment of the US aircraft carriers does not seem to bode a military operation.

Trump has pushed China, North Korea's biggest economic partner and source of aid, to do more to stop the North's nuclear ambitions.

A Canadian pastor who was imprisoned for more than two years was released last week.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported early Tuesday that North Koran leader Kim Jong-un was briefed on his military's plan for "an enveloping fire at Guam" and "examined the plan for a long time".

In an interview, Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon said there's no military solution to the threat posed by North Korea and its nuclear ambitions.

"War must never break out again on the Korean Peninsula". He visited the Republic of Korea on Sunday and travels to Japan later this week.


More news


  • 7.50% Tangible Equity Units

    The stock of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:APC) has "Overweight" rating given on Tuesday, September 13 by Morgan Stanley. The investment professionals in our partner's database now own: 472.75 million shares, up from 472.34 million shares in 2016Q3.
    ECP rejects PTI's request to halt proceedings in foreign funding case

    ECP rejects PTI's request to halt proceedings in foreign funding case

    Abbasi argues in the petition that Imran Khan should be disqualified from his office for not declaring his assets. The bench directed that the party should file a petition regarding the discontinuation of ECP case in the SC.
    Malala gains place at the University of Oxford

    Malala gains place at the University of Oxford

    No need for Malala to feel nervous jitters anymore as she now knows that her Oxford University admission has been confirmed. She tweeted a screenshot of the confirmation that she will study PPE.
  • Factors Impacting Crude Oil: China, Rig Count, and Spreads

    Factors Impacting Crude Oil: China, Rig Count, and Spreads

    Cushing inventories recorded a build of 0.68mn barrels on the week after a build of 0.57mn barrels the previous week. Gasoline stocks were unchanged, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.1 million-bbl drop.
    Indians-Twins postponed by rain, split doubleheader today

    Indians-Twins postponed by rain, split doubleheader today

    The game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians was rained out Wednesday night at Target Field in Minneapolis. But, the Twins still only trail the Angels by a half game in the chase for the final AL Wild Card spot.
    Mobile rolling out 600MHz LTE network

    Mobile rolling out 600MHz LTE network

    T-Mobile 600 MHz spectrum, initially at least, will target rural areas where the company traditionally has been weak. The rural challenge is clear: All of those markets are expected to only add about 6 million potential subscribers.
  • Unity Adds Support For Xbox One X

    Unity Adds Support For Xbox One X

    Microsoft is likely to reveal bundles and the like for the Xbox One X during its press briefing at Gamescom 2017 later this month. In the app, click in the app on the "Notify Me button" on the Xbox One X listing, which is available right on the home screen.
    Mind-blowing Tottenham bid tabled that would be deal of the summer

    Mind-blowing Tottenham bid tabled that would be deal of the summer

    Yet, on Wednesday, the Sun report that it's Chelsea who are making a move for the Spurs star. It's hard to see how Chelsea sign Rose this summer.
    Tom Cruise breaks ankle during 'Mission: Impossible 6' shoot

    Tom Cruise breaks ankle during 'Mission: Impossible 6' shoot

    Video posted of the incident show Cruise , 55, attached to cables trying to make the jump, but slamming into the wall. Reports in the U.S. suggested filming could be stopped from anywhere between six weeks and three months.
  • Daniel Craig confirms he will return as James Bond

    Daniel Craig confirms he will return as James Bond

    In other movie news involving Craig , he plays Joe Bang in "Logan Lucky", a southern heist comedy, which hits theaters August 18. This counts official Eon-produced Bond films only - not including the original Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again .
    USA  says still interested in dialogue with NKorea

    USA says still interested in dialogue with NKorea

    Last week, the North said a plan was being drawn up to fire four missiles into the sea off Guam, where USA bombers are based. North Korea regards the USA exercises with South Korea and Japan as preparations for invasion.
    4 arrested in connection with 'Game of Thrones' episode leak

    4 arrested in connection with 'Game of Thrones' episode leak

    Winter is here on Game of Thrones , and Jon Snow's wardrobe has changed to adapt to the colder weather ( Ikea rug-cape and all ). The show's posted its latest numbers, and for the third time this season, we've got another record for the HBO epic.