Pre-emptive strike plan alarms S Korea

[cal04]

South Korea has accused Japan of acting recklessly and obstructing peace on the Korean Peninsula after Japan suggested the possibility of pre-emptive strikes against North Korean missile sites.

Japan's chief Cabinet secretary called for military action to be considered if there was no other way of stopping an attack from North Korea.

South Korea has reacted with fury and alarm to the suggestion.

A presidential spokesman says it brings back memories of Japan's colonial aggression in the last century and would obstruct peace on the peninsula and in the region.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1684028.htm

[TomInTib]

1. I've been thinking..

(always dangerous at this time of night) about how China will respond regarding Taiwan.

Once nations, such as Japan, start taking US-like unilateral actions, what and who will stop the Chinese?

This could prove really interesting.

[Sherman A1]

2. The Japanese

Have almost zero offensive capability, so I think this is more saber rattling in a area with lots of that going on now. The Japanese are nervous of course being the only country to have experienced the use of an atomic weapon and most likely would prefer not to have that happen again, but their options are limited.

[tritsofme]

3. As of now that may be true

Japan could be a nuclear power in less than a year if it so wished.

They also have the money and industrial base to become a major military power very quickly if desired, not to mention the fact that the US Pacific Fleet has their back.

[Kagemusha]

4. Would they have the fleet backing them if they went nuclear?

Well, seriously, I don't know the answer to that. I don't want to see it happen, mostly because I like Japan and there's not much difference between a US nuke and a Japanese nuke - neither should be used if at all possible for the sake of the entire world. And N. Korea hardly has a credible nuclear force. So yes, this is saber rattling, but enough to rattle the S. Koreans in the process.