N Korea Missile

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » June 20, 2006, 5:15 pm

This should be interesting. We'll get to see if one of our defense systems actually works:

US claims it is 'ready' for Korean missile test

Staff and agencies

Tuesday June 20, 2006

International tensions over the testing of a long-range North Korean missile continued to escalate today with the Bush administration making plans to shoot it down.

The US's recently installed ground based interceptor missile defence system has been activated and may be called into use if the communist regime defies warnings over firing the Taepondong rocket, a US defence official told Reuters.

The official confirmed a report in the Washington Times that the Pentagon has switched the multibillion-dollar system from test mode to operational, after being in the developmental stage for years.

Exciting times in East Asia!

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » June 20, 2006, 5:19 pm

America, FUCK YEAH!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » June 20, 2006, 5:22 pm

...throw in some massive United States Pacific War Games!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/0 ... index.html

U.S. begins massive war games in Pacific

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) -- Three aircraft carriers filled the skies with fighters as one of the largest U.S. military exercises in decades got underway Tuesday off this island in the western Pacific.

For the first time ever, a Chinese delegation was sent to observe the U.S. war games. But as the show of American military power began, North Korea -- one of the region's most unpredictable countries -- was rattling some swords of its own.

The maneuvers, dubbed "Valiant Shield," bring three carriers together in the Pacific for the first time since the Vietnam War. Some 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 troops will be participating in the five-day war games, which end Friday.

The exercises are intended to boost the ability of the Navy, Air Force and Marines to work together and respond quickly to potential contingencies in this part of the world, U.S. military officials said. Even U.S. Coast Guard vessels were joining in the maneuvers.

"The exercises are taking place on land, sea, air, space and cyberspace," said Senior Master Sgt. Charles Ramey. "They cover the whole spectrum."

The maneuvers mark the first major operation in this remote U.S. territory about halfway between Hawaii and Japan since the announcement last month that 8,000 Marines would be moved here from Okinawa in part of the biggest realignment of the U.S. forces in Asia in decades.

Though planned months ago, they come amid heightened concern in Asia over North Korea.

Officials in the United States, South Korea and Japan say they believe North Korea is preparing to test launch a Taepodong 2 long-range ballistic missile. The missile is believed be able to reach parts of the western United States. (Full story)

Pyongyang shocked Tokyo by launching a Taepodong that flew over Japan's main island in 1998. North Korea claimed the launch successfully placed a satellite in orbit, but that claim has been widely disputed.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il agreed on a moratorium on long-range missile launches during a summit with Japan in 2002. But Pyongyang said Tuesday it is no longer bound by that accord.

Military officials here had no comment on the activity in North Korea, or on what specific tactics or scenarios are being used in the exercises.

They stress, however, that the exercises have been opened to outside observation and are not intended to provoke North Korea.

"These exercises are not aimed at any one nation," Cmdr. Mike Brown said.

The exercises are instead intended to provide training in "detecting, locating, tracking and engaging" a wide range of threats in the air, land and sea.

Representatives from China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Russia and Singapore were invited to attend.

China's presence has been singled out as particularly significant.

Though military relations between Beijing and Washington cooled when an American spy plane was captured in 2001, senior U.S. military officials are cautiously trying to mend the rift. At the same time, the Pentagon has expressed strong concern over the secrecy that shrouds China's rapidly modernizing military.

Adm. William J. Fallon, the top U.S. commander in the Pacific, said before the exercises began that implicit in the invitation was the expectation that China would reciprocate.

China's 10-member delegation includes one top-ranking officer each from the People's Liberation Army, air force and navy, the official Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday.

"The invitation to observe the U.S. military exercises is a very important component of exchanges between the militaries of China and the United States," Xinhua quoted an unidentified Defense Ministry official as saying.

Along with the USS Kitty Hawk, Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups, U.S. force fighters and B-2 bombers operating out of Guam's Andersen Air Force Base will join the maneuvers.

Brown said the exercises were to be held again next year, and then become a biennial event.

Post by **Xouqoa** » June 20, 2006, 6:57 pm

Where is our 'missile shield' based and where will the test rocket be fired towards? I was under the impression they were going to just fire it off into nowhere, but I guess if they're aiming it this way there's cause for concern.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » June 20, 2006, 8:22 pm

The missile shield is located on both coasts but the range on them is phenonemal.

I would laugh my ass off if the americans shot down the test missile. as much as I dislike military posturing, that is such a classic 'fuck you' that it can't help but be hilarious.

I thought Japan gave kim jong-il a friendly reminder back when they tested the first one that they would vaporize pyongyang the next time north korea launched a rocket in their direction?

Splatter · Post by **Splatter** » June 21, 2006, 12:44 am

The maneuvers, dubbed "Valiant Shield," bring three carriers together in the Pacific for the first time since the Vietnam War. Some 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 troops will be participating in the five-day war games, which end Friday.

Someone needs to do thier research, I was involved in a 5 carrier, 200 plus ship war game back in the 1980's multiple times as part of the . Team Spirt operation.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » June 21, 2006, 1:14 am

Splatter wrote:
The maneuvers, dubbed "Valiant Shield," bring three carriers together in the Pacific for the first time since the Vietnam War. Some 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 troops will be participating in the five-day war games, which end Friday.
Someone needs to do thier research, I was involved in a 5 carrier, 200 plus ship war game back in the 1980's multiple times as part of the . Team Spirt operation.

Dwarven war games do not count

Siji · Post by **Siji** » July 3, 2006, 7:31 pm

Link

North Korea vows "annihilating strike" if attacked

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea ratcheted up the rhetoric in its war of words with Washington by promising an "annihilating strike" with its nuclear deterrent should the United States launch an attack, its media said on Monday.

Over the weekend, North Korea said it would bolster its deterrent in response to a U.S. threat, marking the first time it has so specifically mentioned the subject since a crisis began over its suspected plans to test-fire a long-range missile.

"The army and people of the DPRK are now in full preparedness to answer a pre-emptive attack with a relentless annihilating strike and a nuclear war with a mighty nuclear deterrent," its communist party newspaper said on Monday.

DPRK is short for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The report carried on the KCNA news agency said the U.S. had increased tension by bringing new spy planes to the peninsula.

North Korea said in February 2005 it possessed nuclear weapons. It has threatened to build up its nuclear arsenal several times since then in response to what it perceived as increased U.S. threats.

U.S. officials have said North Korea is preparing to test a long-range ballistic missile that some experts say could reach parts of the United States.

Trias · Post by **Trias** » July 4, 2006, 2:00 am

annihilating strike is pretty intense!

Aruman · Post by **Aruman** » July 4, 2006, 2:50 am

If North Korea launches a nuke at all, they will get the ass kicking of a lifetime from every country around them.

The leadership in North Korea has a serious screw loose. They need to just drag their ass to the table for talks.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 4, 2006, 4:26 am

Just wait until Bush finds out that they have WMDs!

miir · Post by **miir** » July 4, 2006, 11:13 am

Canelek wrote:Just wait until Bush finds out that they have WMDs!

LOLS

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 4, 2006, 11:18 am

kyoukan wrote:The missile shield is located on both coasts but the range on them is phenonemal.

I would laugh my ass off if the americans shot down the test missile. as much as I dislike military posturing, that is such a classic 'fuck you' that it can't help but be hilarious.

I thought Japan gave kim jong-il a friendly reminder back when they tested the first one that they would vaporize pyongyang the next time north korea launched a rocket in their direction?

I agree 100%.

Kaldaur · Post by **Kaldaur** » July 4, 2006, 12:42 pm

Please, it's all posturing. Everyone is strutting around, proclaiming their weapons to be the greatest the universe has ever seen. Iran's leadership, North Korea's leadership, they boast and brag for weeks, and then you'll find on page 8 in your newspaper and article on how the countries are now ready to talk. NK did this last time they went on and on about nukes; within two or three weeks they'll be back at the table.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 4, 2006, 1:53 pm

Basically North Korea is showing up to the 80's cold-war cock waving fest sporting a 'halfie' about 20 years too late.

I would still like to see their test shot out of the sky if it comes to that. However, I can't imagine why N. Korea would pull that kind of global asshattery.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 4, 2006, 2:07 pm

I would have liked to see the test missile shot down as well, but apparently China talked them out of doing the test at all.

*edit* Nevermind, it seems that the fuel trucks and such have left the launchpad area.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/0 ... index.html

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 4, 2006, 3:23 pm

Boogahz wrote:I would have liked to see the test missile shot down as well, but apparently China talked them out of doing the test at all.

*edit* Nevermind, it seems that the fuel trucks and such have left the launchpad area.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/0 ... index.html

Some real 4th of July fireworks! Fuck this sparkler. I want to see full size missiles exploding in the air.

Metanis · Post by **Metanis** » July 4, 2006, 8:22 pm

It would appear the NK launch(es) were an abject failure for them. It would be funny except for the millions of Koreans who starved to pay for the madman's dream.

Oh well, I'm sure it will be Bush's fault by the time the NY Traitor(imes) is done with the story.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » July 4, 2006, 8:30 pm

They launched short range missiles.

Were the US and Japan going to retaliate if they launched any type of missile, or only the long range ones?

If it was only the long range, this is obviously just an escalation of posturing.

All a load of wank tbh.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 4, 2006, 8:34 pm

Nick wrote:They launched short range missiles.

Were the US and Japan going to retaliate if they launched any type of missile, or only the long range ones?

If it was only the long range, this is obviously just an escalation of posturing.

All a load of wank tbh.

I believe it was Medium Range which was tested today. 2/3 launched and the last failed after about 30 seconds. I believe that the only ones that would have been shot down (or attempts would have been made) would have been if they lobbed one over Japan like they did previously.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » July 4, 2006, 11:18 pm

they shot 5 missiles. 4 of them were short range (i guess these were successes) then the taepodang 2 (sp) which was the long range one (9100+ miles) failed after 35 seconds.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » July 4, 2006, 11:43 pm

So, now he's openly ignored US demands and is a Dictator much like Saddam, why aren't the US making the case for war like in Iraq?

Aruman · Post by **Aruman** » July 5, 2006, 12:44 am

Nick wrote:So, now he's openly ignored US demands and is a Dictator much like Saddam, why aren't the US making the case for war like in Iraq?

Uh, so now people want us to jump right on them instead of use diplomacy and sanctions first? Make up your minds!

Lets give North Korea 10-12 years to ignore/subvert sanctions and so on before we jump in.

Seriously though, Japan and other countries are or will be talking about imposing sanctions and other 'unspecified' actions.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 5, 2006, 1:43 am

I dont recall Saddam firing long range rockets into the persian gulf and threaten to turn the united states into a sea of fire almost daily. In fact I'm pretty sure I recall him allowing UN weapons inspectors free and open access to anywhere they wanted to go.

I remember the most heinous weapon of mass destruction found was a remote contolled airplane made out of balsa wood with a 6 foot wingspan and an empty canister hooked up to it.

I recall Baghdad being one of the most religiously moderate and modern cities in the middle east where women were allowed to get an education, become doctors and civil servants and there wasn't sunnis trying to kill shiites daily trying to fill a power vacuum.

What the fuck is the point of sanctioning one of the most impoverished nations on the planet, where almost 30 percent of the population is in the military? What the fuck are you going to sanction? They already don't have anything.

The only hope north korea has to be liberated by you thieves is if they discover the whole province is sitting on top of a gigantic oil reserve. Kim Jong-Il would be riding the rail out of Pyongyang by next wednesday as America's working poor soldiers are sacrificed at another altar for halliburton and lockheed martin.

and we can all do with your smug fucking "we should sanction them first, you liberals are never happy

lol" shit. nobody here is even remotely fucking amused beyond your faggot peers.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 5, 2006, 3:38 am

I was hoping we'd get a shot at intercepting it. It would be nice to know if our missile defense system worked.

Aruman · Post by **Aruman** » July 5, 2006, 7:05 am

kyoukan wrote:I dont recall Saddam firing long range rockets into the persian gulf and threaten to turn the united states into a sea of fire almost daily. In fact I'm pretty sure I recall him allowing UN weapons inspectors free and open access to anywhere they wanted to go.

I remember the most heinous weapon of mass destruction found was a remote contolled airplane made out of balsa wood with a 6 foot wingspan and an empty canister hooked up to it.

I recall Baghdad being one of the most religiously moderate and modern cities in the middle east where women were allowed to get an education, become doctors and civil servants and there wasn't sunnis trying to kill shiites daily trying to fill a power vacuum.

What the fuck is the point of sanctioning one of the most impoverished nations on the planet, where almost 30 percent of the population is in the military? What the fuck are you going to sanction? They already don't have anything.

The only hope north korea has to be liberated by you thieves is if they discover the whole province is sitting on top of a gigantic oil reserve. Kim Jong-Il would be riding the rail out of Pyongyang by next wednesday as America's working poor soldiers are sacrificed at another altar for halliburton and lockheed martin.

and we can all do with your smug fucking "we should sanction them first, you liberals are never happy lol" shit. nobody here is even remotely fucking amused beyond your faggot peers.

Wah Wah Wah...

Same old whining, just rearranged words.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » July 5, 2006, 11:05 am

Metanis wrote:Oh well, I'm sure it will be Bush's fault by the time the NY Traitor(imes) is done with the story.

A. Bush couldn't negotiate peaceful resolutions with Mother Theresa.

B. Disagreeing with Bush or the government doesn't a traitor make.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 5, 2006, 11:14 am

Aruman wrote: Wah Wah Wah...

Wow you are even starting to sound like Bush!

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » July 5, 2006, 1:04 pm

kyoukan wrote:I dont recall Saddam firing long range rockets into the persian gulf and threaten to turn the united states into a sea of fire almost daily. In fact I'm pretty sure I recall him allowing UN weapons inspectors free and open access to anywhere they wanted to go.

I remember the most heinous weapon of mass destruction found was a remote contolled airplane made out of balsa wood with a 6 foot wingspan and an empty canister hooked up to it.

I recall Baghdad being one of the most religiously moderate and modern cities in the middle east where women were allowed to get an education, become doctors and civil servants and there wasn't sunnis trying to kill shiites daily trying to fill a power vacuum.

What the fuck is the point of sanctioning one of the most impoverished nations on the planet, where almost 30 percent of the population is in the military? What the fuck are you going to sanction? They already don't have anything.

The only hope north korea has to be liberated by you thieves is if they discover the whole province is sitting on top of a gigantic oil reserve. Kim Jong-Il would be riding the rail out of Pyongyang by next wednesday as America's working poor soldiers are sacrificed at another altar for halliburton and lockheed martin.

and we can all do with your smug fucking "we should sanction them first, you liberals are never happy lol" shit. nobody here is even remotely fucking amused beyond your faggot peers.

yeah but Saddam wouldn't play ball with the oil conglomerates....down he goes!!!11!1!

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » July 5, 2006, 1:31 pm

Aruman wrote:
kyoukan wrote:I dont recall Saddam firing long range rockets into the persian gulf and threaten to turn the united states into a sea of fire almost daily. In fact I'm pretty sure I recall him allowing UN weapons inspectors free and open access to anywhere they wanted to go.

I remember the most heinous weapon of mass destruction found was a remote contolled airplane made out of balsa wood with a 6 foot wingspan and an empty canister hooked up to it.

I recall Baghdad being one of the most religiously moderate and modern cities in the middle east where women were allowed to get an education, become doctors and civil servants and there wasn't sunnis trying to kill shiites daily trying to fill a power vacuum.

What the fuck is the point of sanctioning one of the most impoverished nations on the planet, where almost 30 percent of the population is in the military? What the fuck are you going to sanction? They already don't have anything.

The only hope north korea has to be liberated by you thieves is if they discover the whole province is sitting on top of a gigantic oil reserve. Kim Jong-Il would be riding the rail out of Pyongyang by next wednesday as America's working poor soldiers are sacrificed at another altar for halliburton and lockheed martin.

and we can all do with your smug fucking "we should sanction them first, you liberals are never happy lol" shit. nobody here is even remotely fucking amused beyond your faggot peers.

Wah Wah Wah...

Same old whining, just rearranged words.

good response aruman

*~*stragi*~* · Post by ***~*stragi*~*** » July 5, 2006, 1:38 pm

Nick wrote:So, now he's openly ignored US demands and is a Dictator much like Saddam, why aren't the US making the case for war like in Iraq?

Kim Jong Il is just so loveable!

If Bush hadn't wasted the military and a fuckton of resources on a pointless conflict in Iraq and permanently fucking that part of the world up, we'd probably be invading N. Korea right now. Thats a country that literally does need help (imo anyway) but well... no oil in Korea!

If we do end up invading, I'm also kind of worried about how China would react.

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » July 5, 2006, 1:47 pm

Splatter wrote:
The maneuvers, dubbed "Valiant Shield," bring three carriers together in the Pacific for the first time since the Vietnam War. Some 30 ships, 280 aircraft and 22,000 troops will be participating in the five-day war games, which end Friday.
Someone needs to do thier research, I was involved in a 5 carrier, 200 plus ship war game back in the 1980's multiple times as part of the . Team Spirt operation.

I hated Team Spirit. All the whores would raise their prices!

Hesten · Post by **Hesten** » July 5, 2006, 6:35 pm

Siji wrote:
Metanis wrote:Oh well, I'm sure it will be Bush's fault by the time the NY Traitor(imes) is done with the story.
A. Bush couldn't negotiate peaceful resolutions with Mother Theresa.

B. Disagreeing with Bush or the government doesn't a traitor make.

Actually, if he get to expand much more on the Patriot Act, it probably will, and you will be send to Gitmo for 10-15 years while they look at it

Aruman · Post by **Aruman** » July 5, 2006, 9:09 pm

______________ wrote:
Aruman wrote:
kyoukan wrote:I dont recall Saddam firing long range rockets into the persian gulf and threaten to turn the united states into a sea of fire almost daily. In fact I'm pretty sure I recall him allowing UN weapons inspectors free and open access to anywhere they wanted to go.

I remember the most heinous weapon of mass destruction found was a remote contolled airplane made out of balsa wood with a 6 foot wingspan and an empty canister hooked up to it.

I recall Baghdad being one of the most religiously moderate and modern cities in the middle east where women were allowed to get an education, become doctors and civil servants and there wasn't sunnis trying to kill shiites daily trying to fill a power vacuum.

What the fuck is the point of sanctioning one of the most impoverished nations on the planet, where almost 30 percent of the population is in the military? What the fuck are you going to sanction? They already don't have anything.

The only hope north korea has to be liberated by you thieves is if they discover the whole province is sitting on top of a gigantic oil reserve. Kim Jong-Il would be riding the rail out of Pyongyang by next wednesday as America's working poor soldiers are sacrificed at another altar for halliburton and lockheed martin.

and we can all do with your smug fucking "we should sanction them first, you liberals are never happy lol" shit. nobody here is even remotely fucking amused beyond your faggot peers.

Wah Wah Wah...

Same old whining, just rearranged words.
good response aruman

Not really... was just as silly as it's post.

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » July 5, 2006, 9:46 pm

Winnow wrote:I was hoping we'd get a shot at intercepting it. It would be nice to know if our missile defense system worked.

Which is exactly why we didn't take a shot at it...It works as a deterrent as is...When we fail to hit something with it (and we would have)...Bush looks like an idiot (more so)...And people start asking hard questions...

I'm only aware of 2 ABM sites in the continental states right now in AK (Ft. Henry, I believe was the place?) and Vandenberg. And of course we have the systems on Kwajelein (sp?) Atoll. Then we have theater based ABM testing off of Aegis Cruisers.

Oh and NBC is now saying they have another Taepodong 2 in final assembly now...

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 5, 2006, 10:04 pm

Aruman wrote:Wah Wah Wah...

Same old whining, just rearranged words.

wow, what a smashing retort.

Metanis · Post by **Metanis** » July 6, 2006, 12:36 am

Winnow wrote:I was hoping we'd get a shot at intercepting it. It would be nice to know if our missile defense system worked.

Maybe we had "other" defense systems working? <wink>

You have to seriously wonder if even the North Koreans can suck so bad as to have 100% failure rate? Unless they were assisted in some fashion?

Trias · Post by **Trias** » July 6, 2006, 12:56 am

Nick wrote:So, now he's openly ignored US demands and is a Dictator much like Saddam, why aren't the US making the case for war like in Iraq?

because this time the WMD's are real and that nutball won't hesitate to nuke japan and Seoul.

I work with a guy that lived in south korea for the first 15 years of his life and has a lot of family there, he left work early today in some pretty major distress over the situation. He seriously belives that if the North feels at all threatened they will begin to unload on the South.

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » July 6, 2006, 3:38 am

Metanis wrote:You have to seriously wonder if even the North Koreans can suck so bad as to have 100% failure rate? Unless they were assisted in some fashion?

All missle systems fail often during development...

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 6, 2006, 4:25 am

It's not so much the missiles south koreans are worried about as much as the 10,000 artillery batteries poiinted at seoul, well within range. not even the united states could take them all out before they levelled the city.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 6, 2006, 12:02 pm

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/search.d ... ode=mislau

USB missile system!

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » July 6, 2006, 3:11 pm

Arborealus wrote:
Winnow wrote:I was hoping we'd get a shot at intercepting it. It would be nice to know if our missile defense system worked.
Which is exactly why we didn't take a shot at it...It works as a deterrent as is...When we fail to hit something with it (and we would have)...Bush looks like an idiot (more so)...And people start asking hard questions...

I thought we didn't take a shot at it because it didn't even last 40 seconds or make it past the Sea of Japan. Why bother trying to destroy something that fails on its own. Makes Korea look like the idiots (for now).

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » July 6, 2006, 5:50 pm

Aslanna wrote:
Arborealus wrote:
Winnow wrote:I was hoping we'd get a shot at intercepting it. It would be nice to know if our missile defense system worked.
Which is exactly why we didn't take a shot at it...It works as a deterrent as is...When we fail to hit something with it (and we would have)...Bush looks like an idiot (more so)...And people start asking hard questions...
I thought we didn't take a shot at it because it didn't even last 40 seconds or make it past the Sea of Japan. Why bother trying to destroy something that fails on its own. Makes Korea look like the idiots (for now).

Erp I should say didn't plan to take a shot at it...

Siji · Post by **Siji** » July 6, 2006, 7:36 pm

Link

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan plans to test-fire a missile capable of hitting China, alarming the island's main ally, the United States, a cable news network said on Thursday.

The Hsiung Feng III, developed by Taiwan's Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, has a range of 600 km (360 miles) and is accurate to within half a meter, the online edition of cable news network ETTV (http://www.ettoday.com) said, quoting unnamed military sources.

That range would put areas along China's coast from Fuzhou in Fujian Province to Nan'ao in Guangdong within striking distance of the missile, the Web site said.

A defense ministry spokesman declined to comment on the report when reached by telephone. A spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry also declined to comment.

China, which has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since their split in 1949 at the end of the Chinese civil war, has deployed nearly 800 short-range ballistic missiles aimed at the self-ruled island in case it formally declares independence.

Taiwan successfully test-fired the missile last year, local media have reported, and the Web site said the next test was planned for September.

The United States, which recognizes Beijing's "one China" policy but is Taiwan's major supplier of arms, had expressed its concern to the Taiwan government, the Web site said.

North Korea acknowledged for the first time on Thursday that it had launched several missiles, vowed to carry out more tests and threatened to use force if the international community tried to stop it.

Boom.