US Remains at Nuclear Alert DEFCON 3. China Mobilizes, Masses Troops On North Korean Border
Last 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.
China has mobilized its military and is massing near the border with North Korea. This step was taken after North Korea placed a mid-range Musudan missile ready to launch on its east coast and its “dedication of more facilities at the Yongbon complex to nuclear weapons work.”
Since then After visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday the Korean nuclear impasse was at a “critical time”, as he pressed Pyongyang’s key ally to help defuse sky-high tensions, China has agreed to work with the US to help defuse the crisis and persuade North Korea to drop its nuclear program, according to the BBC.
According to some sources in Washington, the Chinese military mobilization is not directed at deterring Pyongyang but as support for North Korea’s steps. But this idea seems to be undermined by the most recent developments after John Kerrys Visit.
To give our readers an idea of the gravity of DEFCON 3, our military has only activated DEFCON 3 four times in known history. The most recent being September 11th 2001
Previous to that The U.S. Armed Forces were at DEFCON 3 status during the 1973 Yom Kippur War
And previous to that the ONLY other time we have reached DEFCON 3 in fact The highest confirmed DEFCON ever was Level 2. During the Cuban Missile Crisis on October 22, 1962, the U.S. Armed Forces were ordered to DEFCON 3. On October 26, Strategic Air Command (SAC) was ordered to DEFCON 2, while the rest of the U.S. Armed Forces remained at DEFCON 3. SAC remained at DEFCON 2 until November 15.
Let us all hope that the DPRK gets a clue, and goes back to its sheltered existence.
Independent Journalist at LIFE: From the end of the world
A science and tech geek Anteros started LIVE from the end of the world to create a place that supports and shares the stories of themselves and other independent journalists on events that affect our city, and our world. They have worked in Tech, Media and Radio Since 2012.
Latest posts by Anteros Oberon (see all)