(CNN)North Korea on Sunday test-fired a ballistic missile, an official in the South Korean Ministry of Defense told CNN.
It is the first missile test conducted by North Korea since US President Donald Trump took office.
"The South Korean government and the international community are working together to take punitive actions appropriate for this launch," acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-ahn said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is visiting the United States, made a joint statement with Trump.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/11/asia/north-korea-missile/index.html

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I don't see an easy solution to this.
A large fear of China has been the collapse of the NK regime.
This would mean a huge refugee influx into China, which they do not want.
That may well be what needs to happen, so perhaps that can be brought about in a controlled, planned for manner, rather than an immediate collapse due to some military action, or crippling sanctions by the Chinese. I agree that the situation is headed for a resolution one way or the other, and given that stability is the preferred outcome by those in the region, choices are few.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

Another part of the problem is that when North Korea split, without a formal peace treaty, the only reason they could exist, was to say they were defending against the US. They have kept that up to keep legitimacy. If they lose that reason, then the north has no reason to exist. I wonder if the world welcomed them, and opened up trade and communication, how long they would last. Cuba is changing fast now that the US has opened up a bit. Everything I have seen with Cuba, suggests that the trend will continue. Of course Cuba welcomes the trade and openness, and North Korea and Iran fear it.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

Perhaps, but I don't see that continuing long term. I think the winds of change have started to whisper.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

I think Cuba will discover its own model. One thing that differentiates it from North Korea and Iran is that it is not, nor wants to be a threat to anyone.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

I think Cuba will discover its own model. One thing that differentiates it from North Korea and Iran is that it is not, nor wants to be a threat to anyone.

Steve

Cuba... hmmm...

The Problem with Cuba (the way I see it now and remember it from then) was not that Cuba (in and of itself) was or wanted to be a threat. The Problem WAS that other nations that Cuba allied themselves with sought to use Cuba to be a threat to other nations.

Cuban missile crisis, anyone?

They were not Cuban missles with nukes... They belonged to Cuba's ally the USSR.

Now, I agree that this is NOT the case with the DPRK or Iran...

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https://youtu.be/iY57ErBkFFE

#Texit

Don't blame me, I voted for Johnson(L) in 2016.

Truth is dangerous... especially when it challenges those in power.

It's also no longer the case in Cuba.
Things have started to change.
It won't happen overnight, but I do see the lives of Cuban citizens improving over the next few years.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

Really my point was what would happen to North Korea if the world began to open up, and establish trade and communication. The government would have no reason to exist. It is the pretense of war that gives them that reason. It may be that North Korea will keep bringing the situation close to war, without crossing the line. They want to stay in power, and war would certainly be their demise.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

I agree completely. I certainly don't have solid answers. I know what we have been doing has not done much to deter the regime, or help the North Korean people. I am searching for a solution that does not involve a catastrophic war for many nations.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

That is at the heart of my concerns. I know things can be very difficult for many in the US, but no where nearly as difficult as they would be with a major military /nuclear confrontation. I prefer the problems we have now, to those created by such a huge crisis.

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

The thing that interests me about North Korea right now is the fallout from the death of Kim Jong-nam ... half-brother to Kim Jong-un. I read one article indicating that Jong-nam had been approached by people who wanted him to set up a "government in exile" for North Korea - something which is speculated to have led to his assassination. North Korea is such a closed society where not too much real news escapes. But I think there's a lot going on behind the scenes by people who are "unfriendly" to the current regime. A future coup perhaps?

They're at it again. :-(

http://www.news.com.au/world/asia/north-korea-missile-fired-unidentified-projectile-launched-into-sea/news-story/b12a5207cdf7b6195446915a869b4a88

Cheers.

Now even Russia starts to worry.
Kremlin says seriously worried about North Korea missile drills
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-russia-idUSKBN16D0Z0

Now even Russia starts to worry.
Kremlin says seriously worried about North Korea missile drills
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-russia-idUSKBN16D0Z0

Seems so. http://tass.com/politics/934239

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Now even Russia starts to worry.
Kremlin says seriously worried about North Korea missile drills
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-russia-idUSKBN16D0Z0

Now what?

Economical sanctions?
Don't think so.
Russia, as far I know, doesn't have any deep economical realationship with North Korea.
Military actions?
Don't think so.

If Kim is a real danger to Millions of Innocents. With his Nuclear Weapons and Delivery Systems:

What is the alternative to Military Intervention?

I may be overly positive and optimistic about human nature, but I think problems can be solved before military action is necessary. How? The world needs some truly great diplomats.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

If Kim is a real danger to Millions of Innocents. With his Nuclear Weapons and Delivery Systems:

What is the alternative to Military Intervention?

I may be overly positive and optimistic about human nature, but I think problems can be solved before military action is necessary. How? The world needs some truly great diplomats.

Another Munich type attempt? Trying to 'persuade' a Murdering, Enslaving, possibly Totally Psychotic, to do what?

As someone who has seen too much death. I do feel sick to my stomach, but understand what may have to happen.

Pray God we don't have to do this. But we may have to.

Yes, it's a tall order, but I don't think enough peaceful intervention has been done yet.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

If Kim is a real danger to Millions of Innocents. With his Nuclear Weapons and Delivery Systems:
What is the alternative to Military Intervention?

I may be overly positive and optimistic about human nature, but I think problems can be solved before military action is necessary. How? The world needs some truly great diplomats.

Agree.
Remember the Cuba crisis in 60th?

North Korea–United States relations are hostile and have developed primarily during the Korean War, but in recent years have been largely defined by North Korea's five tests of nuclear weapons, its development of long-range missiles capable of striking targets thousands of miles away, and its ongoing threats to strike the United States and South Korea with nuclear weapons and conventional forces. During his presidency, George W. Bush referred to North Korea as part of "The Axis of evil" because of the threat of its nuclear capabilities
This is funny:)
As North Korea and the United States have no formal diplomatic relations, Sweden acts as the protecting power of United States interests in North Korea for consular matters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea%E2%80%93United_States_relations

North Korea bans Malaysians from leaving the country until Kim Jong Nam’s death is ‘properly solved’.

Sounds a lot like blackmail.

Cheers.