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NORTH KOREA FIRES MISSILE (Maj. General Jerry Curry resides in DC/Eastern Time.)
NOTE: Due to the General’s tight schedule, TV or National Radio only. Thank you.
July 2, 2009-- North Korea just launched a missile test, according to a news report just issued by Fox News. (See article below)
The launch, reportedly at approximately 6:00 pm Korean Time (5:00 am ET) on July 2, 2009, was just 38 days after their last underground nuclear test, and just two weeks since their infamous threat to fire long range missiles toward Hawaii this July 4 weekend. (See original Daily Mail/London June 18 article below.)
The US military took the initial threat seriously and dispatched the USS John McCain naval destroyer to intercept a North Korean ship, the Kang Nam, suspected of carrying nuclear materials or other weaponry, in violation of U.N. Resolution 1874. As a result, that ship turned around, just prior to this new missile test launch.
With the finger on North Korea's volatile nuclear arsenal shifting from an erratic dictator who is partially recovered from a stroke, to someone who is half the age of President Obama, here’s the big question:
Is this nuclear bluster simply the birth pangs of a dictatorship transition from Kim Jong Il to his 26-year-old son, Kim Jong-un? Or is this a real threat? According to the Washington Post, Kim Jr is a youth with a reputation as a heavy drinker. If this is true, to what degree could the well being of Hawaiian citizens hang in the balance of a hangover?
Perhaps they can take comfort in knowing that experts say the missile only has a 4000 mile range, a tad bid shy of reaching Hawaii, 4500 miles away from the North Korean launch pad.
Ah, not so fast. Wasn’t it these same experts who didn’t even know our Pakistan (or was it India?) had a nuclear bomb until after their test detonation? So, how do we know these ‘experts’ are accurate in their math. After all, if their margin of error is only off 10%, that’s enough to reach Hawaii. Or if the North Koreans have recently tweaked their missile unbeknownst to US, their new improved model might just make it.
US Major General Jerry Curry (ret.) is your expert to discuss this potential powder keg in North Korea. Jerry enlisted in the US Army in 1951 at age 17, when the US was fighting, what foolishly is called the "Forgotten War."
What many people have forgotten is that it was a DEMOCRAT President who called on the United Nations to deploy armies to thwart North Korea's invasion of South Korea at a time when the world was already war weary from World War 2.
General Curry's career ascended from Korea through Viet Nam to being Special Assistant to President Reagan’s Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, whose final book, "The Next War" predicted a scenario in which North Korea would resume aggression against South Korea, providing a diversion which would invite China to move against US ally, Taiwan.
General Curry opposed General Colin Powell's endorsement of candidate Barack Obama, questioning his capacity to lead as Commander-in-Chief.
Curry contends we know that "The Truman Doctrine" and "The Bush Doctrine" claimed a simple truth: That the US would commit its military force to combat any armed aggression against the US and its international interests, but "The Obama Doctrine" appears to be: "Let's Talk it Over,” with North Korea, a charter member of the "Axis of Evil.”
A few weeks ago North Korea said it would no longer recognize the armistice which halted combat in the Korean War, effectively declaring itself at war again with South Korea, exacerbated by its six missile launches and nuclear tests in violation of its obligations under the six nation talks.
What does this all mean to US? And what might we expect to see come of the new transition of power? And what action might the Obama administration take to intercept the Korean ship that might be carrying nuclear or other weapons?
Jerry Curry stated, “Russia and China say they will veto any effort by the UN Security council to authorize any country to stop and board any North Korean vessel suspected to be carrying unauthorized military weapons cargo, unless the ship first agrees to be boarded. In short, the threat to stop, board and search for weapons is toothless. My prediction is the North Koreans will ignore us and all our posturing.”
ABOUT MAJOR GENERAL JERRY CURRY…
Major Gen. Jerry R. Curry (US Army Ret.) Ph.D. is a decorated combat veteran, Army Aviator, Paratrooper and Ranger who has served his country both in the military and as a Presidential appointee in three administrations. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Carter Administration, as Press Secretary to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger in the Reagan Administration, and as Administrator of NHTSA for President George H. W. Bush.
A munitions expert, General Curry was the top ranking officer overseeing all equipment at the Military Proving Ground at Aberdeen, Maryland.
But Jerry Curry was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Far from it, Jerry was a steel mill worker from the small town of Liberty, Pennsylvania who enlisted in the Army as a young private and rose to the rank of major general, a feat almost unheard of.
His recent book, From Private to General – An African American Soldier Rises Through the Ranks (Believe Books, 2007), is a gritty true-life story of an African American soldier determined to succeed in a white-dominated military culture, facing the barriers of racism and elitism without compromising his values or becoming a victim. He rose through the ranks by distinguishing himself in intense challenges of combat and in military command assignments and by surviving the political infighting that is endemic in the military.
Curry shares fresh insights on America’s role in Vietnam, achieving racial harmony, challenges in the military, leadership principles and America’s role in the world today. His insights into politics and military strategy are particularly relevant to the current situation in Iraq and the lessons in leadership that he presents are of timeless benefit. His descriptions of combat in Vietnam are particularly fascinating.
Gen. Curry on CNN:
http://www.special-guests.com/guests/data/video/Curry Jerry CNN inteview 07-25-08.mov
MAJ. GENERAL JERRY CURRY’S AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Korea
Vietnam
Military issues
National Security
Racism in politics and the military
The role of America in the world today
Terrorism – the very real threat to America
Leadership in the military and political arenas
SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR MILITARY/POLITICAL EXPERT MAJ. GENERAL JERRY CURRY:
1) How serious is the nuclear threat from North Korea? Same question regarding Iran & Pakistan?
2) What do we know about the new 26-year-old No. Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un?
3) Is it true the North Korean nuclear missiles can reach Alaska, and soon Calif.?
4) Since we haven’t had a serious terror attack on American soil since 2001, just how serious is the terrorist threat to American today? (General Curry has experienced terrorism first hand as a target for assassination during his distinguished military career.)
5) What should we expect from our leadership on Capitol Hill and the White House in protecting America from terrorism?
6) How ready are we to deal with a massive terror attack?
7) How much like Vietnam is the current Afghanistan/Pakistan conflict? Will America ever be able to ‘win’ this current quagmire?
8) What is the role of politicians and what is the role of the military leadership in bringing the Iraq, Afghanistan and Korean wars to a conclusion?
9) What looming threats do we face as a nation?
10) Tell us a little bit about your book, “From Private to General”?
11) How may our listeners get a copy of your book?
12) Is there anything else I missed that you would like to address?
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES MAY BE HELPFUL WITH SHOW PREP:
FOX NEWS
Official: N. Korea Fires 2 Short-Range Missiles
Thursday , July 02, 2009
BREAKING NEWS — North Korea test-fired two short-range missiles Thursday, South Korea's Defense Ministry said, a move that aggravates the already high tensions following Pyongyang's recent nuclear test and U.N. sanctions imposed as punishment.
The missiles were fired from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan on Thursday afternoon, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity citing department policy. He did not say what types of missiles were launched, but Yonhap news agency said they were ground-to-ship missiles.
"One was fired at 5:20 p.m. and the other at 6:00 p.m. from Sinsang-ni" near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, South Korean defense ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said.
North Korea had earlier issued a no-sail zone in waters off its east coast through July 10 for military drills. That designation has been viewed as a prelude to such missile tests.
The new launches are expected to exacerbate the tensions running high since Pyongyang's May 25 underground nuclear test and a series of missile firings. The U.N. Security Council adopted a tough sanctions resolution last month to punish the communist regime.
"We had expected that they will fire short-range missiles at any time," South Korea's Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan told The Associated Press at a reception held at the US ambassador's residence to mark the US Independence Day, which falls this weekend. "It's not a good sign because they are demonstrating their military power."
The United States is seeking Chinese support to enforce the U.N. sanctions. Philip Goldberg, who is in charge of coordinating the implementation of sanctions against the North, was to meet with Chinese officials in Beijing on Thursday, the U.S. Embassy said.
Earlier in the day, Seoul's JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported that the North could fire a barrage of missiles in coming days, including ballistic Scud or Rodong rockets that the North is banned from testing under U.N. resolutions.
The North has also threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile. Last month, a Japanese newspaper reported that the North could test-fire a long-range missile toward Hawaii as early as around July 4. The U.S. has increased defenses around Hawaii.
But Seoul's YTN television news network said Thursday there are no signs of an imminent long-range missile launch.
The reported missile moves came after a North Korean ship — suspected of possibly carrying illicit weapons — changed course and was heading back the way it came after remaining under U.S. surveillance for more than a week.
The North Korean ship is the first vessel monitored under the new U.N. sanctions that seek to clamp down on Pyongyang's trading of banned arms and weapons-related material by requiring U.N. member states to request inspections of ships suspected of carrying prohibited cargo.
The North has said it would consider the interception of its ships a declaration of war.
Separately, North and South Korea ended their latest talks over a troubled joint industrial project, apparently without progress, and failed to set a date for the next round of talks, the Unification Ministry said.
Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung told reporters that the two sides met for a little over one hour in the morning in the North Korean border city of Kaesong. He offered no details.
The two sides have been at odds over the fate of a South Korean worker who has been detained in the North since March for allegedly denouncing its political system. The North has rejected Seoul's repeated calls for the worker's freedom. It has also demanded that South Korean companies sharply increase wages for North Korean workers and fees paid for the use of the land.
As relations with South Korea have deteriorated, the North has halted all key joint projects except for the South Korean-run complex at Kaesong, a prominent symbol of past attempts at reconciliation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
AN EARLIER ARTICLE THAT ALSO MAY BE HELPFUL WITH SHOW PREP:
THE DAILY MAIL/ LONDON, June 18, 2009
Japan warns that North Korea may fire missile at U.S. on Independence Day
By Mail Foreign Service
North Korea may launch a long-range ballistic missile towards Hawaii on American Independence Day, according to Japanese intelligence officials.
The missile, believed to be a Taepodong-2 with a range of up to 4,000 miles, would be launched in early July from the Dongchang-ni site on the north-western coast of the secretive country.
Intelligence analysts do not believe the device would be capable of hitting Hawaii's main islands, which are 4,500 miles from North Korea.
Details of the launch came from the Japan's best-selling newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun.
Both Japanese intelligence and U.S. reconnaissance satellites have collated information pointing to the launch, according to the report.
This is North Korea's Taepodong-2 missile which has a range of 4,000 miles. Intelligence analysts do not believe it would be capable of hitting Hawaii which is 4,500 miles away
It is understood the communist state is likely to fire the missile between July 4 and 8. A launch on July 4 would coincide with Independence Day in the States.It would also be the 15th anniversary of North Korean president Kim Il-Sung's death.
The Japanese newspaper also noted that North Korea had fired its first Taepodong-2 missile on July 4, 2006.
Officials had initially believed that North Korea might attempt to launch a similar device towards either Japan's Okinawa island, Guam or Hawaii.
But the ministry concluded launches toward Okinawa or Guam were 'extremely unlikely' because the first-stage booster could drop into waters off China, agitating Beijing, or hit western Japanese territory.
If the missile were fired in the direction of Hawaii, the booster could drop in the Sea of Japan.
News of the launch would put 'enormous military pressure on the United States,' the Yomiuri said, citing the ministry report.
A spokesman for the Japanese Defense Ministry declined to comment on the report.
South Korea's Defense Ministry and the National Intelligence Service - the country's main spy agency - said they could not confirm it.
Tension on the divided Korean peninsula has risen markedly since the North, led by Kim Jong-il, conducted two nuclear tests this year in defiance of repeated international warnings.
The first rocket, fired in April, was widely seen as a disguised long-range missile test. A second launch came on May 25.
U.S. satellite intelligence has shown that a missile launch pad had been erected at Dongchang-ri on North Korea's north-west coast.
General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it would take at least three to five years for North Korea to pose a real threat to the U.S. west coast.
The UN Security Council last week authorised member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo, requiring them to seize and destroy goods shipped that violate the sanctions against arms export.
On Saturday, in response to this declaration Pyongyang said it would bolster its nuclear programs and threatened war.
Growing tensions come as arms-watchdog the International Crisis Group (ICG) claimed North Korea has several thousand tonnes of chemical weapons it could mount on missiles.
The report from the non-government organisation said they believed the North's army have about 2,500 to 5,000 tonnes of chemical weapons which include mustard gas, sarin and other deadly nerve agents.
ICG also also warned South Korea may become a target.
'If there is an escalation of conflict and if military hostilities break out, there is a risk that they could be used. In conventional terms, North Korea is weak and they feel they might have to resort to using those,' said Daniel Pinkston, the ICG's representative in Seoul.
The North has been working on chemical weapons for decades and can deliver them through long-range artillery directed on Seoul which is home to about half of South Korea's 49 million people and via missiles that could hit all of the country.
© 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd
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