Posted on 03/31/2010 9:34:10 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Speculation Focuses on N.Korean Semi-Submersibles
As more evidence surfaces about the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan on Friday, speculation is increasingly focusing on a possible attack from one of the North Korean semi-submersibles reportedly operated by crack teams and capable of carrying two torpedoes or mines.
Semi-submersible vessels weigh less than 300 tons and are smaller than submarines. The waters where the Cheonan sank are only 20 m to 30 m deep and difficult for North Korea's mainstay 1,800 ton Romeo class submarines to negotiate. North Korea allegedly uses the semi-submersibles when transporting spies on infiltration missions into South Korea. These flat boats approach coastal waters remaining mostly submerged under water and disappear completely under water as they near the coastline, which makes it extremely difficult to detect them. Defense Minister Kim Tae-young told lawmakers on Monday the semi-submersibles can fire two torpedoes and did not rule out that such a vessel may have attacked the Cheonan.
Kim Hak-song, the head of the National Assembly's Defense Committee, stoked speculation by saying he had heard that four North Korean semi-submersibles crossed south of the Northern Limit Line, but high-ranking military officers said the claim is unfounded.
A North Korean semi-submersible carrying two torpedoes (marked)
South Korea and the U.S. monitor North Korean submarine bases in the West and East seas with American KH-12 reconnaissance satellites, U-2 spy planes and South Korean Kumgang reconnaissance aircraft. If several North Korean submarines disappear at once, South Korea's Navy raises its alert level because submarines, mini-subs and semi-submersibles are capable of delivering the fastest attack against South Korean and U.S. forces.
There is speculation that the Cheonan came so close to Baeknyeong Island in response to intelligence showing that North Korean mini-subs or semi-submersibles had crossed into South Korean waters, but the Defense Ministry denied this as well.
In addition to sharing nuclear technology, North Korea is also believed to be cooperating with Iran in the development of underwater weapons and may have had help from Tehran in developing cutting-edge torpedoes. North Korea's Navy has around 70 mini-subs and a large number of semi-submersibles. Around 20 are believed to be stationed at a naval base near Baeknyeong Island.
P!
Actually semi submersibles like this would be ideal in delivering an Islamic nuke into the heart of one of our coastal cities. How could we stop it?
So, when San Diego is toast, guess Obama can always blame Bush for making them hate us so much.
Isn`t Obummer`s half-brain semi-submersible in the Potomac?
BTTT
Wrong wrong. It's Kennedy's Oldsmobile further north
San Diego has thousands of surferboys n` surfergirls on the lookout verily as we speak.
They wont be delivered to just San Diego, they will attack multiple coastal cities.
ping- sorry Mary Jo
http://www.tomheroes.com/Comic%20Ads/classic%20ads/polarissub.htm
blimps
It appears to be that South Korea reacts to an attack the way the US government reacts. Instantly come the assurances it could not have been Moslems/terrorists/North Koreans, etc. with the properly drawn inference that it was indeed Moslems/terrorists/North Koreans or etc.
Actually I suspect a nuke on San Diego would be looked as a Crisis to not let go to waste.
Hence, he tends to go out of the way to avoid anything which could adversely affect his job performance rating.
“a Crisis to not let go to waste”
Yes, another opportunity to go the Egypt and apologize for how awful America has treated the oppressed of the world — making everyone hate us so much and thus forcing them to resort to unfortunate acts of man made disaster.
TLR
Pretty good looking little swift, Jammer stick looks about right to.
Questions now: if so, why so & who’s on first.
r.
Last time a NK patrol boast intrude into SK territorial water and fired on SK vessels, it was showered with rounds from Vulcan guns. They vowed revenge. This may be their answer, if they are indeed found to be responsible.
Thank you for keeping us in the information/news cycle.
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