North Korea Eyes Hawaii
North Korea may be planning to launch a long-range Taepodong-2 towards Hawaii. Whether true or not, the U.S. is taking no chances. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said the U.S. was monitoring the situation, ordered the deployment of ground-to-air Theater High Altitude Area Defense missiles and the sea-based SBX Radar to Hawaii. (Source)
“Without telegraphing what we will do,” Gates said, “I would just say I think we are in a good position should it become necessary to protect American territory.”
Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said the U.S. intends “to vigorously enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874″ and search North Korean ships suspected of carrying weapons. As we noted earlier this week, North Korea has threatened retaliation if its ships are stopped and searched. What will happen if the rogue state refuses our requests? Mullen said the U.S. could “direct it to go into a port, and the country of that port would…inspect the vessel.”
What are our options if North Korea chooses to escalate if its ships are stopped? Mullen didn’t answer the question directly. He reiterated that the U.N. Security Council’s resolution speaks for the international community and its commitment to contain North Korea.
“It’s not just the United States, it’s a lot of other countries as well. And the north’s steps to further isolate itself, to further noncomply with international guidance and regulations, in the long-run, puts them in a more difficult position.”
FOX News reports that the U.S. will send the U.S.S. John McCain to intercept a flagged North Korean ship that may have weapons aboard. The navy destroyer will intercept the Kang Nam when it leaves a location off China’s coast.
Tags: Hawaii, Mike Mullen, North Korea, Robert Gates, Taepodong-2, U.S.S. John McCain