North Korea Now Claiming Its First Spy Satellite Is Taking Pictures Of The White House

 

Bloomberg: North Korea Claims Spy Satellite Took Photos of White House  

North Korea claimed its first spy satellite put into space, which was launched into orbit last week, has taken photos of the White House, Pentagon and nearby US naval stations. 

The prominent US sites add to a list of areas North Korea claims to have photographed using its reconnaissance probe that was launched on Nov. 21. 

The state’s official media said leader Kim Jong Un has seen the latest images along with previous photos of Rome, Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, Pearl Harbor and the US Navy’s Carl Vinson aircraft carrier. 

South Korea salvaged one of North Korea’s spy satellites after a failed launch earlier this year and concluded the technology had little value as a reconnaissance probe. 

While Seoul believes any North Korean satellite would be rudimentary at best, such technology could help Kim’s regime in its targeting as it steps up its ability to deliver a nuclear strike.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The U.S. is sending out he message that they do not care (see video below). 

 

North Korea Claims Its First Spy Satellite Is Now Taking Photos Of White House  

North Korea says new spy satellite snooped on the White House, Pentagon -- Reuters  

North Korea says spy satellite photographed White House, Pentagon -- The Hill  

North Korea says its satellite photographed White House, Pentagon -- NYPost

North Korea Issues A Nuclear Threat To The U.S. Over Its Deployment Of A B-52 Bomber To South Korea

“A U.S. Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber stood imposingly on a South Korean airbase Thursday in its first-ever known arrival here in a show of force against North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats.” https://t.co/K3OY99e5ft

— David Soiza (@SoizaDavid) October 20, 2023

Yonhap News Agency: N. Korea warns U.S. strategic assets will be '1st targets of destruction' 

SEOUL, Oct. 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Friday condemned the arrival of a U.S. B-52 bomber in South Korea, threatening that U.S. strategic assets deployed on the Korean Peninsula will become the "first targets of destruction." 

Pyongyang's criticism came in response to the landing of the nuclear-capable bomber, a key U.S. strategic asset, at an air base in South Korea on Tuesday in its first known arrival in the South in a show of force against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. 

"The U.S. would be well aware that the Korean Peninsula is in a state of war by law and its strategic assets deploying in the puppet region are the first targets of destruction," the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an English-language statement.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: N. Korea Issues Threat over US Deployment of B-52 Bomber (KBS World)  

Update #2: North Korea threatens US with preemptive nuclear strike — KCNA (TASS)  

WNU Editor: North Korea also threatened a nuclear strike when the US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived at a South Korean port last week .... North Korea threatens nuclear strike over US aircraft carrier's arrival in South Korea (FOX News/AP).

US Secures The Release Of Travis King A Soldier Who Crossed Into North Korea 2 Months Ago

 

FOX News: US officials say Travis King is in American custody after months of detainment in North Korea 

A US official confirms to Fox News Digital that US Army Private Travis King is safely in US custody 

The North Korean government has released a U.S. serviceman after holding him in detainment since July, Fox News Digital has confirmed. 

The North Korean government returned U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King to U.S. custody in mainland China on Wednesday following months of imprisonment, according to North Korean state outlets and the U.S. National Security Council. 

"The relevant organ of the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK, under the law of the Republic," state media outlet Korean Central News Agency wrote early Wednesday, according to translations provided by Yonhap News Agency.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: There was no "upside" for the North Koreans to keep him. 

US Secures The Release Of Travis King A Soldier Who Crossed Into North Korea 2 Months Ago  

US secures the release of the soldier who crossed into North Korea 2 months ago -- AP  

Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed South Korea's border into North Korea, is back in U.S. custody -- CBS News  

American soldier who crossed into North Korea arrives back in U.S. -- Axios  

American Soldier Travis King Back in US After Fleeing to North Korea -- VOA  

North Korea Deports US Soldier Who Tried To Defect Over 'Racism' -- Zero Hedge

U.S. Warns North Korea It Will ‘Pay A Price’ If It Supplies Arms To Russia

 

Axios: U.S.: North Korea "will pay a price" if it supplies arms to Russia 

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned North Korea on Tuesday it would face consequences if it supplies Russia with arms for Putin's war on Ukraine.  

Driving the news: Sullivan said at a briefing that discussions between officials in Pyongyang and Moscow on providing Russia's forces with military support were "actively advancing," including North Korean leader Kim Jong-un holding perhaps "in-person leader-level discussions" with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Washington is reacting to this .... New warnings about possible meeting in Russia between Putin and Kim Jong Un (CNN). 

 U.S. Warns North Korea It Will ‘Pay A Price’ If It Supplies Arms To Russia  

North Korea will ‘pay a price’ if it supplies arms to Russia, says US -- CNN  

North Korea will ‘pay a price’ for arms sales to Russia, top US official says -- NK News  

US threatens North Korea over Russia arms deal, says country will ‘pay a price’ -- FOX News 

US warns North Korea against supplying arms to Russia -- The Hill  

North Korea would pay ‘price’ if it supplies Russia with weapons, US says -- Al Jazeera

North Korea In Talks With U.N. Command Over U.S. Soldier Travis King

 

CNN: ‘Conversation has commenced’ with North Korea over US solider, United Nations Command says  

A “conversation has commenced” with North Korea over US Army Pvt. Travis King, who crossed the border between North and South Korea last week in the demilitarized zone separating the two nations, the deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) said Monday.

King, believed to be the first US soldier to cross into North Korea since 1982, had a history of assault, was facing disciplinary action over his conduct and was meant to go back to the US the day before the incident.  

Read more .... 

North Korea In Talks With U.N. Command Over U.S. Soldier Travis King  

UN Command Says It's Communicating With North About Detained US Soldier -- AP  

UN Command talking to North Korea about U.S. soldier Travis King -- Reuters  

Talks initiated with North Korea over US soldier who ran across border -- The Guardian  

UN in communication with North Korea over detained US soldier -- Al Jazeera

U.S. Soldier Deliberately Crosses DMZ Line And Enters North Korea

 

ABC News: US soldier in North Korean custody after crossing DMZ line 

Pvt. Travis King crossed into North Korea willingly, two U.S. officials said. 

A U.S. Army private who had just finished a stint in a South Korean detention facility crossed the border into North Korea "without authorization" and is in custody in the secretive country, United Nations and U.S. officials said Tuesday. 

The soldier was identified as 23-year-old Pvt. Travis King, a U.S. official confirmed. He's been a cavalry scout in the Army since January 2021 and has no deployments, according to service information provided by Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. Life is not going to be good for 23-year-old Pvt. Travis King. 

U.S. Soldier Deliberately Crosses DMZ Line  

U.S. soldier crossed into North Korea ‘willfully and without authorization,’ Austin says -- Politico  

US soldier detained in North Korea got there on a tour bus -- USA Today 

North Korea stays silent on its apparent detention of a US soldier who bolted across the border -- AP  

A US soldier has crossed the border to North Korea. Here is what we know and what has happened in the past -- ABC News Australia  

A look at some Americans who crossed into North Korea over the past years -- AP  

Pvt. Travis King: Everything We Know About the Soldier Who Ran into North Korea -- Military.com  

What do we know about the US soldier in North Korea and what might come next? -- CNN

North Korea Threatens To Shoot Down US Spy Planes Violating Its Airspace

North Korea warned Monday that it may shoot down U.S. reconnaissance aircraft, such as the RC-135, flying over its airspace. Image courtesy of U.S. Air Force 

Reuters: North Korea warns it may shoot down US spy planes violating its airspace 

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea accused the United States on Monday of violating its airspace by conducting surveillance flights and warned that, while Pyongyang was exercising restraint, such flights may be shot down. 

Provocative military actions by the United States were bringing the Korean peninsula closer to a nuclear conflict, said an unnamed spokesperson of North Korea's Ministry of National Defence in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency. 

The report also cited the use of U.S. reconnaissance planes and drones and said Washington was escalating tensions by sending a nuclear submarine near the peninsula. 

"There is no guarantee that such a shocking accident as the downing of the U.S. Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen" in waters east of Korea, the spokesperson said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The North Korean statement is here .... Press Statement by Spokesman for DPRK Ministry of National Defence (KCNA Watch). 

North Korea Threatens To Shoot Down US Spy Planes Violating Its Airspace  

North Korea threatens to shoot down US spy planes violating its airspace -- France 24  

North Korea threatens to shoot alleged US spy planes -- DW  

North Korea Threatens to Shoot Down US Spy Planes -- Bloomberg  

North Korea warns it will shoot down U.S. reconnaissance planes -- UPI 

North Korea threatens to SHOOT DOWN any US planes violating its airspace - as it slams Biden for dispatching nuclear-armed submarine to region -- Daily Mail

North Korea Claims 800,000 Have Signed Up To Fight Against The U.S.

Troops take part in a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea's army, in Pyongyang, North Korea on Feb. 8, 2023, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA via REUTERS)  

Business Insider: North Korea claims that in 1 day, 800,000 youths just up and decided to voluntarily join its army and fight the US 

* North Korea on Sunday claimed that 800,000 young people signed up to join the military in one day. 

* State media claimed the youths all volunteered out of fervor to fight the US and South Korea. 

* Even if this were true, it doesn't necessarily mean Pyongyang's army has 800,000 new soldiers, an expert says. 

North Korea has claimed that 800,000 young officials and students volunteered to join its military — all in one day. 

"According to a tally, more than 800,000 youth league officials and students across the country volunteered to join and rejoin the Korean People's Army (KPA) on March 17 alone," wrote Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling party, on Sunday. 

The state newspaper described the enlistees as the "young vanguard," claiming that all 800,000 had "turned out at once in the struggle to defend the country and annihilate the enemy." Among them are university students, working youths, and youth leaders, Rodong Sinmun wrote.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: In total, North Korea is saying that it has 1.4 million in uniform .... North claims 1.4 million have enlisted, re-enlisted in armed forces (The Korea JoongAng Daily) 

North Korea Claims 800,000 Have Signed Up To Fight Against The U.S.

North Korea claims almost 800,000 have signed up to fight against U.S. -- Reuters  

North Korea claims almost 800,000 people have signed up for its military to fight US -- CNN  

North Korea claims 800,000 join army in a single day to fight the US -- FOX News 

N Korea says 800,000 youths volunteer to fight ‘US imperialists’ -- Al Jazeera  

North Korea's tall claim that 8,00,000 civilians ready to join military to counter US -- Republic World

U.S. And South Korea Stage Joint Air Drills After Recent North Korean ICBM Launch

 

Reuters: U.S. stages joint air exercises with Asian allies after North Korea's ICBM launch 

SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States held joint air exercises bilaterally with South Korea and Japan involving strategic bombers on Sunday, a day after North Korea fired a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a "sudden launching drill".

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the exercise, in which South Korea's F-35A, F-15K and U.S. F-16 fighters escorted American B-1B bombers, demonstrated the allies' "overwhelming" defence capabilities and readiness posture. 

"(The exercise) strengthened the combined operation capability and affirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the defence of the Korean Peninsula and the implementation of extended deterrence," the South's military said in a statement.  

Read more .... 

U.S. And South Korea Stage Joint Air Drills After Recent North Korean ICBM Launch 

 N. Korea makes fresh threats, US bombers fly after ICBM test -- AP  

U.S. and South Korea stage combined air drill a day after North Korea missile launch -- NBC  

North Korea fires ballistic missiles after US conducts military drills with South Korea, Japan: 'firing range' -- FOX News 

US holds drills with Asian allies after North Korea’s ICBM launch -- Al Jazeera

U.S. Deploys B-52 Bombers, F-22 Fighters For Joint Drills With South Korea

 

Yonhap News Agency: S. Korea, U.S. stage combined air drills involving America's B-52H bombers, F-22 fighters 

SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States conducted combined air drills, involving U.S. B-52 strategic bombers and F-22 stealth fighters, on Tuesday, in an effort to strengthen the credibility of America's "extended deterrence," Seoul's defense ministry said. 

The drills took place in the South's air defense identification zone southwest of its southern island of Jeju amid tensions caused by the North's launch of two medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM) on Sunday. The South's F-35A stealth jets and F-15K fighters also joined the drills.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: No one is de-escalating. 

 U.S. Deploys B-52 Bombers, F-22 Fighters For Joint Drills With South Korea  

US flies bombers, stealth jets as Kim’s sister threatens -- AP  

U.S. sends B-52 bombers, F-22 fighters for joint drills with South Korea -News1 -- Reuters  

US B-52s Fly Near South Korea, as North Korea Ramps Up Threats -- VOA  

U.S. deploys B-52 bombers, F-22 fighters after North Korea missile launch -- UPI

US Redeploys B-1B Lancer Bomber Over Korea After Latest North Korean Missile Test

In this photo provided by South Korean Defense Ministry, two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, top center, South Korean Air Force F-35 fighter jets and US Air Force F-16 fighter jets, bottom left, fly over South Korea Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (South Korean Defense Ministry via AP)  

FOX News: US flies supersonic bombers in response to North Korea's new ICBM launch 

US deploys supersonic bomber in response to North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile test 

The U.S. military on Saturday responded to recent missile launches from North Korea by flying two supersonic bombers alongside South Korean and Japanese warplanes. 

North Korea on Friday drew international ire after it test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile capable (ICBM) of carrying multiple nuclear warheads and with a range that could reach anywhere on the U.S.’s mainland. 

The U.S. and its regional allies condemned the move and accused Pyongyang of attempting to destabilize the region as it looks to bolster its nuclear program and gain geopolitical prowess though its military advancements.   

Read more ....  

Update: US Redeploys B-1B Lancer Bomber Over Korea After North Fires Powerful ICBM (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: North Korea responds .... N Korea warns of ‘all-out’ nuclear response to US ‘aggression’ (Al Jazeera).

US Air Force Misawa Air Base In Japan Urged Its Personnel To Take Shelter After Latest North Korean Missile Test

Daily Star: US Air Force in Japan urges personnel to take cover as North Korea fires missile 

World War Three fear levels escalate once more after news breaks of the latest rocket to be launched off the country's east coast under the orders of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un 

The US Air Force Misawa Air Base in Japan urged its personnel to take shelter after news broke of a ballistic missile being launched off the east coast of North Korea. 

According to outlets in South Korea, the latest rocket was fired early on Friday morning (November 18) and follows a succession of weapons tests conducted by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un during recent weeks. 

It is believed this projectile was an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the test follows reports of another at a similar time yesterday (Thursday, November 17), which the South claimed was aimed towards the Sea of Japan. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The latest North Korean missile launch was one of the biggest yet .... North Korea launches another intercontinental ballistic missile, one of its most powerful yet (New York Times). More here .... North Korea fires ICBM into sea off Japan in ‘brazen violation’ of UN resolutions (CNN).

U.S. Defense Secretary Says A North Korean Nuclear Attack On The U.S. Or Its Allies Will Result In The End Of The Kim Regime

 

The Guardian: Nuclear attack on US or allies would end Kim regime, says defense secretary  

Lloyd Austin makes remark while Kim Jong-un’s government in Pyongyang has in recent days mounted a number of missile tests 

The US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, said on Thursday any nuclear attack on the US or its allies by North Korea would “result in the end of the Kim regime”. 

 Kim Jong-un’s government in Pyongyang has in recent days mounted a number of missile tests. 

The South Korean military said a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday may have ended in failure. Japan called the launch “outrageous and absolutely intolerable”.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The US narrative is that North Korea is inching towards war .... Kim Jong Un Inches Closer to All-Out War Than Ever Before (Daily Beast). There is also the narrative that China and Russia can influence North Korea .... Exclusive-U.S. says China and Russia have leverage to stop North Korea nuclear test (Reuters).

I have a different point of view.

I think both sides are inching towards war, not necessarily just North Korea. And I think we in the West are always over-estimating the influence that China and Russia have over North Korea. 

Both Russia and China have a common border with North Korea, and they do business accordingly. But for much of its history North Korea has always followed its own tune, and I have seen no evidence that China and Russia are interested in changing the status quo.

U.S. Defense Secretary Says A North Korean Nuclear Attack On The U.S. Or Its Allies Will Result In The End Of The Kim Regime 

Pentagon: A North Korea nuclear attack would ‘result in the end of the Kim regime’ -- Politico  

U.S., South Korea warn North Korea any nuke attack would end Kim regime -- Kyodo News  

US, South Korea threaten to 'end' Kim regime if North Korea uses nuclear weapon -- FOX News  

North Korea nuke attack would ‘end’ Kim regime, US and South Korea warn -- NYPost  

Lloyd Austin, Lee Jong-sup issue stark warning after fresh North Korean missile barrage -- Washington Times

North Korea Warned Use Of Nuclear Weapons Will Be The End Of The Regime. Decisive Response Will Also Happen If There Is a Nuclear Test

North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un watches exercises conducted September 25 to October 9 by units of the Korean People's Army tasked with deploying tactical nuclear weapons. © Korean Central News Agency 

Newsweek: Pentagon Report Warns Kim Jong Un Leadership Won't Survive if He Uses Nukes 

Amid a series of escalations across the Korean Peninsula, the first new U.S. military strategy released under President Joe Biden has warned North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un that his government would not "survive" in the event that he used a nuclear weapon. 

The Pentagon jointly released on Thursday three major policy documents, the National Defense Strategy, the Nuclear Posture Review and the Missile Defense Review. 

The reports outlined a range of measures the United States was taking to deter and defend against a number of challenges, including those posed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. 

But after another critical Biden administration policy piece, the National Security Strategy, gave only brief mention of North Korea earlier this month, U.S. officials went further in-depth in this latest release, issuing a direct and explicit threat to Pyongyang.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: These threats will end in one thing. Tensions and more threats on the Korean peninsula. 

US, Japan And South Korea Vow 'Decisive' Response If North Korea Holds A Nuclear Test  

US, Japan and South Korea vow 'unparalleled' response if North Korea holds nuclear test -- ABC News Australia  

North Korea put on notice: Nuclear test would draw "unprecedentedly strong" response -- AP  

Seoul says allies agree 'unparalleled' response needed to a North Korea nuclear test -- Reuters  

US, Japan, S Korea vow response if N Korea tests nuclear bomb -- Al Jazeera

US Warns Of 'Swift And Forceful Response' If North Korea Conducts A Nuclear Test

 

ABC News Australia: US warns of 'swift and forceful response' as allies showcase air power amid North Korea tensions 

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman says there will be a strong and clear response from the United States, South Korea and the world if North Korea goes ahead with a nuclear test. 

She made the comment as the South Korean and US militaries flew warplanes — including F-35A stealth fighter jets and F16 fighter jets — off South Korea's western coast in a joint military exercise on Tuesday.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The U.S. may respond forcefully if North Korea conducts a nuclear test, but China is not onboard .... China signals it won’t support new sanctions if North Korea tests nuclear weapon (NK News). 

US Warns Of 'Swift And Forceful Response' If North Korea Conducts A Nuclear Test  

America threatens Kim Jong Un with 'swift and forceful response' if he starts testing nukes as US fighter jets take part in joint wargames off South Korea's coast -- Daily Mail

US official says will respond forcefully if North Korea holds nuclear test -- Reuters  

US official vows ‘swift and forceful response’ if North Korea tests nukes -- ABC News/AP  

US Warns Kim Jong Un of 'Forceful Response' to Any Nuclear Test -- Bloomberg 

US warns of ‘forceful’ response if N Korea tests nuclear weapon -- Al Jazeera

U.S. Carrier Group Deploys In The Sea Of Japan Off The Korean Peninsula

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits the South China Sea on April 1, 2022. US Navy Photo  

Reuters: U.S. aircraft carrier deploys off Korean peninsula amid tensions with North 

The USS Abraham Lincoln strike group is operating in waters off the Korean peninsula, the U.S. Navy said on Tuesday, amid tensions over North Korea's missile launches and concerns that it could soon resume testing nuclear weapons. 

"The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is conducting bilateral operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Sea of Japan," Commander Hayley Sims, a spokesperson for the Japan-based U.S. Seventh Fleet, said in a statement. 

This is the first time since 2017 that a carrier group has deployed to the waters between South Korea and Japan, and comes as U.S. officials are increasingly concerned that North Korea could carry out an underground nuclear test in the coming days.  

Read more .... 

U.S. Carrier Group Deploys In The Sea Of Japan Off The Korean Peninsula  

U.S. Carrier Group Arrives as North Korea Ramps Up Threats -- Bloomberg  

U.S. Navy carrier group enters Sea of Japan for first time in 5 years -- UPI 

Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in Sea of Japan Ahead of Key North Korean Anniversaries -- USNI News  

US Steps Up Military Displays as North Korea Tests Bigger Weapons -- VOA  

USS Abraham Lincoln operating in Sea of Japan following North Korea missile tests -- Navy Times  

US carrier group operating off Korean Peninsula for first time in years -- The Hill

US Seeks Talks With North Korea After Latest Missile Launch

 

The Hill: US pushes for talks with North Korea after latest missile launch 

The U.S. is pushing for talks with North Korea after its latest ballistic missile test on Sunday, which was reportedly its longest such test since 2017. 

A senior administration official on Sunday said the U.S. is still committed to pursuing a diplomatic path forward with North Korea, despite describing the recent spate of missile tests as destabilizing, a threat to U.S. and allied forces in the region and a violation of resolutions from the United Nations Security Council, according to Bloomberg. 

The official said the U.S. has still not heard from Pyongyang regarding a proposal to begin discussions.  

Read more .... 

US Seeks Talks With North Korea After Latest Missile Launch  

US urges North Korea to join direct talks after latest missile test by Pyongyang -- The Guardian  

Biden admin condemns North Korea missile launch, seeks 'serious and sustained diplomacy' with DPRK -- FOX News  

White House still eager for talks with North Korea, but sees missile tests as destabilizing -- CNN 

U.S. worried North Korea could return to nuclear and ICBM tests, urges dialogue -- Reuters  

US Seeks Direct Discussions With North Korea After Most Powerful Ballistic Missile Test In Years -- Zero Hedge

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Says North Korea Missile Tests 'Destabilizing'

 

The Hill: Blinken: North Korea missile tests 'profoundly destabilizing' 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said North Korea's successive ballistic missile launches are "profoundly destabilizing." 

The secretary reiterated calls for the regime in Pyongyang to engage in diplomatic discussions with the U.S. with no preconditions. 

North Korea has rejected that position as a nonstarter and called for sanctions relief prior to beginning dialogue. 

"Some months ago, we made clear that we were prepared to engage the North Koreans, to sit down with no preconditions, to see if we could find a way forward with them at the table toward the total denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Blinken said in an interview with MSNBC on Thursday. 

Read more .... 

Update #1: US Secretary of State Blinken says North Korea may be seeking attention with missile launches (The Straits Time)  

Update #2: U.S. focused on consequences for N. Korea's missile tests: Blinken (Yonhap)  

Update #3: Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls North Korea missile tests 'destabilizing' (UPI)  

WNU Editor: North Korea is responding .... N.Korea calls U.S. sanctions 'provocation,' warns of strong reaction (Yonhap).

US Imposes Sanctions On North Korea's Missile Program

 

CNBC: U.S. sanctions 8 people and entities following North Korean missile launches 

* The Biden administration sanctioned eight people and entities for their involvement in developing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile-related programs. 

* The sanctions come on the heels of at least two known North Korean ballistic missile tests. 

* Four of the North Korean nationals are based in China and two are based in Russia, while another sanctioned individual is a Russian national. 

WASHINGTON – The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it was imposing sanctions on eight people and entities for their work in developing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile-related programs for Pyongyang. 

The sanctions come on the heels of at least two known North Korean ballistic missile tests. 

The Treasury Department first announced sanctions on five North Koreans, then the State Department followed with measures targeting one North Korean, one Russian and a Russian entity. 

The most recent test came Monday, the second launch in a week. 

It originated from the northern province of Jagang and traveled some 430 miles before plunging into the East Sea, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.  

Read more .... 

US Imposes Sanctions On North Korea's Missile Program  

US hits NKorean officials with sanctions after missile test -- AP  

Biden imposes first sanctions over North Korea weapons program after missile tests -- Reuters 

U.S. Sanctions Individuals Based In China And Russia For Aiding North Korean Weapons Programs -- RFE  

US Targets North Koreans in Russia, China for Aiding Pyongyang’s Weapons Development -- VOA  

US imposes sanctions on North Korean and Russian individuals tied to North Korea's missile programs -- CNN  

Biden admin hits North Korea officials with sanctions over hypersonic missile test -- FOX News

FAA Orders 'Full Ground Stop' At ALL West Coast Airports For Seven Minutes After North Korea Missile Test

 

Daily Mail: North Korea says launch that caused West Coast and Hawaii airport lockdowns was caused by HYPERSONIC missile with 'superior maneuverability': FAA confirms it ordered ground stop as 'precautionary measure' 

* Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the successful test of a hypersonic missile, state media said Wednesday 

* Hypersonic missiles are listed among the 'top priority' tasks for strategic weapons development in North Korea's five-year plan 

* After the launch, he said North Korea must 'further accelerate efforts to steadily build up the country's strategic military muscle both in quality and quantity' 

* 'We have something going on, we might have to scramble fighters shortly, just hold there,' said a Honolulu-based air traffic controller in publicly available audio 

* Air traffic controllers at Burbank in California are heard in another recording referencing a 'national security threat' but do not get specific 

* The FAA tweeted out a statement regarding the stop Tuesday afternoon 

* However, the FAA would not confirm that the stop was based around a potential ballistic missile launch by North Korea 

North Korea has confirmed that its launch, which is believed to have caused full ground stops at all West Coast and Hawaii-based US airports for about 15 minutes no Monday, was a hypersonic missile. 

Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the successful test of a hypersonic missile, and state media has confirmed the missile carrying a 'hypersonic gliding vehicle' hit 'the set target' 620miles away. 

On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it had ordered a full ground stop at all West Coast airports on Monday.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: A good point here .... FAA's Statement On Mysterious Air Traffic Halt Leaves More Questions Than Answers (Warzone/The Drive). 

FAA Orders 'Full Ground Stop' At ALL West Coast Airports For Seven Minutes After North Korea Missile Test  

US grounded planes as a 'precaution' after a North Korean missile launch -- CNN  

FAA paused some West Coast flights at time of North Korea missile launch -- The Hill  

FAA briefly halted West Coast flights amid North Korean missile scare -- Politico  

US briefly halted west coast flights after NKorea missile test: FAA -- AFP  

FAA orders 'full ground stop' at ALL West Coast airports for seven minutes after North Korea fired suspected ballistic missile into Sea of Japan -- Daily Mail