Pyongyang continues to ignore diplomatic efforts and is also, apparently, not bothered abut UN sanctions. The provocative actions of North Korea reveal that it has no intention to either scale down or halt its missile development programs. The Korean peninsula is very tense.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis indicated that the United States could go in for military action against North Korea and ensure that its ally South Korea, does not come in the line of fire. He did not mention the nature of the proposed action.
Seoul could be in trouble
New Zealand Herald reports that Nikki Haley, the U.S.
Ambassador to the United Nations, admitted that there are very few options left to contain the nuclear programs of North Korea. The United States may have to involve the military.
However, South Korea might have to bear the brunt of any attack because it is within artillery range of North Korea. The fears are genuine because it has a variety of weapons in its arsenal. The inventory is believed to contain conventional as well as chemical and biological weapons. Any offensive must ensure safety for Seoul and its people. Jim Mattis is aware of this and has assured that any action would take into account all such factors.
One of the available non-lethal options could be a naval blockade to enforce sanctions.
Other options could be to carry out cyber-attacks or augment the inventory of weapons in Seoul. They could even dispatch additional U.S. troops to add to the existing strength on the ground.
Pentagon demonstrates its might
The Pentagon is already gearing up for possible action. It deployed a formation of bombers and fighter jets over the troubled Korean Peninsula and dropped live bombs.
The formation included the air power of the U.S. and its allies, South Korea and Japan. The display is believed to be in response to the nuclear activities of North Korea associated with its missile launches and nuclear tests.
The warplanes of the U.S. and South Korea carried out a live bombing in the Pilsung training range in close proximity to the demilitarized zone that separates the North and the South.
Japan did not go in for live bombing but it flew in formation with U.S. jets over the waters near Kyushu which is close to the Korean Peninsula.
The intention of these demonstrations was to send a message to not only North Korea but also to the global community. Nuclear war would mean large scale destruction of lives and property that may not be confined to a few pockets. There are war clouds on the horizon and the world must rise as one to prevent a confrontation.
