North Korea missile launches and the US and China Reaction

Tensions between the united states. And north korea are escalating once again, following president trump’s landmark tour of asia. President trump is calling on all nations to work together to prevent north korea’s nuclear program from reaching completion. A new report indicates that no matter how many deterrents are put in place, north korea is continuing its push to extend its missile-launching abilities.

Satellite imagery collected by a news outlet “38 north” shows that north korea’s attempt to deploy its first operational ballistic missile submarine could be successful in the near future.

In another news article conducted by roberta valencia for newsweek reports that the u.S. Intelligence chas confirmed that if completed, the north korean submarine, at more than 2000 tons, will be “the largest vessel ever constructed for the north korean navy since the najin-class frigates”.

The fact that the us president has called for all nations to aid in stopping north korea comes under the precedence that the missile launch and north korea's ability to thus launch a nuclear attack is against all the un security clauses and can endanger human lives on a massive scale. Interpreting the response of china thus after the missile launch really puts things into perspective. China and russia have always been huge supporters for north korea in its fight against the us; however, with this recent launch, china is backing off of its support wagon for north korea.

This is not a recent thread for china as it has in various previous news stories discouraged north korea from engaging in missile launch activities to ward off the sanctions and threats they are tackling from both the ud and south korea. Numerous reports by cnn and stories in publications like the guardian emphasize on us and president's trump condemnation of the missile launch capability for north korea. But china’s response has not been well documented. Being one if the supporters of the region, the stance taken from the chinese government seems to be no different.

While a recent article in the guardian, posted on november 29th of this year, highlights china's reluctance towards supporting north korea’s missile launch capability; it cannot and should not be mistaken as abandonment. China is proving to be a great advisor to north korea in its currently tense situation and is still pressing on resolving matters through dialogue and other peaceful means. This is where we see a major difference between the us and china as their solution to dealing with north korea is completely different. It is safe to say that china might be doing what is smarter of the two, and what is also more importantly in line with the un security clauses as a peaceful approach through dialogue and logic could avert further advancements.

President trump however does not seem to agree at all with china's approach as we observe that those american troops who are stationed in south korea are on alert as this story develops. Our correspondents have interviewed two members of the navy for their perspective on what u.S. Servicemen are anticipating in the coming days and weeks. Some interesting attitudes observed during the interview with lieutenant mark davis and john ford further elaborate how the approach that the us is taking is much more aggressive than what china is suggesting.

Sot [lieutenant davis, u.S. Navy]: we are ready and prepared to do our role in protecting our country. As the north korean threat continues to grow, our commander-in-chief is well aware of the situation and is making sure we are locked and loaded.

The u.S. Navy sees this latest news as just one more sign of north korea’s intractibility.

Sot [lieutenant ford, u.S. Navy]: obviously we all understand what they’re capable of and that’s why we’re here. If north korea wants to develop weapons of mass destruction, it is going to be our job to stop them. We want a peaceful world, not one where people have to fear to live their lives because of not knowing what enemy power is lurking beneath the surface of the ocean.

While north korea continues to develop its military technology, american forces are waiting for orders on how to respond.

Sot [davis]: a lot of what we do is a waiting game. The main thing is to not be caught on your heels. That’s why we’re out here doing our drills, doing our exercises. You never know when that call is going to come, but when it does come you want to be prepared to do your duty. So no one out here is napping, I can assure you of that.

The u.S. Currently has more than 40,000 personnel in japan and 35,000 in south korea (holmes). It also has aircraft stationed in guam . This strong presence of american military is expected to send a message to north korea about america’s refusal to accept the regime’s escalation of tensions.

Sot [ford]: everyone is anxious to see this issue resolved but there’s a way to do things so that the conflict is addressed in the most effective manner possible. That’s why our commander-in-chief is exercising every option on the table first. The military option is the last one you want to see used because it can be so devastating. But sometimes that’s the only option that will work. So we’re here in case that option is needed. We practice and stay ready, focused and sharp.

So far president trump has given no indication that the u.S. Military will strike north korea. But as lieutenants davis and ford show, the navy is more than ready and willing to do its part to neutralize any threats that come out of north korea. China on the other hand continues to push talks with north korea on and off the record in hopes that a peaceful resolution emerges and the sanctity of north korea along with the rest of the world stays intact.