Asia’s Currency War

Global finance chiefs may have denounced it, but that has not stopped Japan joining other central banks in driving its exchange rate lower. With Australia and South Korea forced to respond, will the Asia-Pacific region be the main battleground in a global currency war?

Troops in Motion — Chinese troops continue mobilization along N. Korean border

China’s military is continuing to mobilize military forces along the North Korean border despite official denials as Pyongyang appears set for a missile test launch this week, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. intelligence agencies continued to collect reports of Chinese military movements in border provinces that have been underway since last month.

Jonathan Manthorpe: Fears grow of Japan’s stimulus provoking a currency war

As Japan sets out to double its money supply to $2.71 trillion in order to propel its economy out of two decades of stagnation there are growing concerns the program will ignite a currency war in Asia.

Among Asian manufacturers such as South Korea, China and the countries of Southeast Asia concern is building to alarm. The Japanese currency, the yen, has dropped by 25 per cent in value since the election of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Liberal Democratic Party last November with a pledge to kickstart the economy.

US raises nuclear alert to DEFCON 3. China mobilizes, masses troops on North Korean border

Friday, April 12, the US raised its nuclear alert status to DEFCON 3, Condition Yellow (out of 5 levels), stating “There are currently no imminent nuclear threats against the United States at this time, however the situation is considered fluid and can change rapidly.” Many believe that North Korea will launch their test missile on or about April 15. Japan has instructed its armed forces to shoot down any North Korean missile that heads toward its territory.

Contrary to comments from the White House Thursday, the Pentagon reported that “North Korea probably has nuclear weapons that can be mounted on ballistic missiles.” This is a very significant admission by the United States and a dangerous change to the Korean situation.

Lawmaker drops bombshell: North Korea may have nuclear missiles

The results of a classified Defense Intelligence Agency report indicate that “North Korea now has nuclear weapons capable of delivery by ballistic missiles.”

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It came when Rep. Doug Lamborn (R) of Colorado began quoting from what he said was an unclassified version of the DIA report, which has not yet been made public.

Missile spotted in ‘launch position’, United States and South Korean armed forces placed at ‘vital alert’ Watchcon 2

NORTH Korea state-tv is reporting the country is ready to file a nuclear missile, Sky News reported.

• US, South Korea declare “Watchcon 2″ – the highest level of alert
• ‘Multiple launches’ expected as more missiles spotted

Most U.S. Troops Would Die in N. Korean Onslaught

Not only this, but how would the West successfully retaliate? The North Koreans have hundreds of miles of tunnel networks hardened for bombings, so therefore they’re likely prepared to withstand the retaliatory strikes. To get to those hiding, it would mean going through the Vietnam experience all over again. In addition, and like the first Korean War, the United States will likely have to deal with Chinese intervention again.

WASHINGTON – If North Korea were to launch an attack, U.S. intelligence analysts tell WND the barrage of hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds and missiles would destroy not only South Korea’s capital, Seoul, but also most of the U.S. troops stationed primarily around the capital and near the Demilitarized Zone separating the two countries.

“The 28,500 guys on the border are a speed bump and a trigger for war,” a U.S. intelligence officer who is closely monitoring North Korean activities told WND in an exclusive interview. “They probably would die.”

North Korea: Kim Jong-Un’s 30,000 elite troops could pour through secret underground tunnels into South Korea

Through a cold mist, South Korean troops scan their frontier for signs of an attack by warmongering North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

Behind razor wire and machine gun nests, nervous soldiers man artillery positions ready to blitz the dictator’s forces dug in less than a mile away.

But while their eyes peer into the mist, the onslaught may yet begin where they cannot see… 100 feet below their boots.

North Korean military cleared to wage nuclear war on U.S.

PAJU, South Korea — North Korea warned early Thursday that its military has been cleared to attack the U.S. using “smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear” weapons, while the U.S. said it was strengthening protection in the region and seeking to defuse the situation.

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The strident warning from Pyongyang is the latest escalating threats from North Korea, which has railed against joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises taking place in South Korea and has expressed anger over tightened sanctions for its February nuclear test.

N. Korea moves intermediate-range missile to east coast

SEOUL, April 4 (Yonhap) — North Korea has recently moved an intermediate-range missile to its east coast in a display of military power or a preparatory move for an imminent liftoff, multiple sources in Seoul said Thursday.

The North’s apparent missile relocation has prompted the United States to move its advanced missile defense system to its base on the Pacific Ocean island of Guam along with radar systems.

Risky Business

Being that North Korea is a proxy state for China, it’s not likely that the Communist ally would launch a war without permission from their handlers in the CCP. That’s of course not to say it would diminish the likelyhood they’d get the green light as China itself would surely take up preparations long beforehand, for any eventuality as a result.

Military buildup in China near North Korean border continues as tanks, armored vehicles spotted

China continued moving tanks and armored vehicles and flying flights near North Korea this week as part of a military buildup in the northeastern part of the country that U.S. officials say is related to the crisis with North Korea.

Border Patrol — China mobilizing troops, jets near Korea

China has placed military forces on heightened alert in the northeastern part of the country as tensions mount on the Korean peninsula following recent threats by Pyongyang to attack, U.S. officials said.

Reports from the region reveal the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently increased its military posture in response to the heightened tensions, specifically North Korea’s declaration of a “state of war” and threats to conduct missile attacks against the United States and South Korea.

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The Chinese military activities near North Korea were detected in Jilin Province, and intelligence reports from the area on March 19 indicated that PLA forces were ordered to go to “Level One” alert status, the highest level of readiness.