Crazy Kim

Last night I saw 2 JASDF (Japanese Air Self defense Force) F-4 Phantoms flying at medium height and at high speed over Shimogo at about 7pm. It is very unusual to see these planes over Shimogo (especially at that height and time) but it certainly perked up my evening.

Recently, there has been a lot of regional tension regarding the development of long range missiles in North Korea which are capable of hitting targets in Japan and the USA. For several weeks, Japan and the USA have been aware of missile test preparations going on in North Korea. The new missile has been called the Taepodong 2.

Sure enough, the test fire took place at 3.30am i.e. 8.5 hours after I saw the F-4 planes fly over Shimogo. I have come to the conclusion that the Japanese Government and military were aware the test was going to take place and therefore raised their level of readiness.

Another interesting fact worth speculating on is that the Taepodong 2 missile failed after 40 seconds in flight. It is highly possible that this missile failed due to a technical problem. I think it is also possible that this missile failed due to some sort of covert interference from the USA. The USA has been spending vast amounts of dollars over the last few years to develop ways to defeat North Korean missiles. Money has been spent on anti-missile missiles, microwave weapons to destroy sensitive electronics, and airborne laser technology. Did we see the first application of such technology when the North Korean missile exploded in flight last night?

North Korea always features in the Japanese news programmes. Over the last few decades, many Japanese people (and South Koreans) have been abducted to North Korea, there have been disputes regarding the exploitation of mineral rights in the Sea of Japan, North Korea has a highly active currency forgery programme, and Kim Il Song's son was arrested trying to get into Tokyo Disneyland. Of greatest concern is the current North Korea nuclear weapons programme.North Korea looks set to feature in news programmes for many years to come.