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Speculation Focuses on N.Korean Semi-Submersibles (proliferating to Iran, too?)
Chosun Ilbo ^ | 04/01/10

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.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cheonan; explosion; nkorea; semisubmersibles

1 posted on 03/31/2010 9:34:10 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster; AmericanInTokyo; Steel Wolf; nuconvert; MizSterious; nw_arizona_granny; ...

P!


2 posted on 03/31/2010 9:34:58 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster
“more evidence surfaces” — no pun intended?

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.

3 posted on 03/31/2010 9:39:09 PM PDT by garjog (u)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Isn`t Obummer`s half-brain semi-submersible in the Potomac?


4 posted on 03/31/2010 9:41:40 PM PDT by bunkerhill7
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To: TigerLikesRooster

BTTT


5 posted on 03/31/2010 9:42:06 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar (*)
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To: bunkerhill7
Isn`t Obummer`s half-brain semi-submersible in the Potomac?

Wrong wrong. It's Kennedy's Oldsmobile further north

6 posted on 03/31/2010 9:42:52 PM PDT by Loud Mime (Liberalism is a Socialist Disease)
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To: garjog

San Diego has thousands of surferboys n` surfergirls on the lookout verily as we speak.


7 posted on 03/31/2010 9:43:31 PM PDT by bunkerhill7
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To: garjog

They wont be delivered to just San Diego, they will attack multiple coastal cities.


8 posted on 03/31/2010 9:44:20 PM PDT by montanajoe
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To: Loud Mime

ping- sorry Mary Jo


9 posted on 03/31/2010 9:44:36 PM PDT by bunkerhill7
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To: bunkerhill7
Right. Then there are these guys. (Unless Obama plans to replace their budget for the Ready Reserve Corp.)


10 posted on 03/31/2010 9:46:22 PM PDT by garjog (u)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
Here is an exclusive picture of one of these submarines. Frightening device indeed.

http://www.tomheroes.com/Comic%20Ads/classic%20ads/polarissub.htm

11 posted on 03/31/2010 9:50:45 PM PDT by NavyCanDo (In 2012 Sarah Palin will see the Potomac from Her House)
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To: garjog

blimps


12 posted on 03/31/2010 9:51:08 PM PDT by bunkerhill7
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To: TigerLikesRooster

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.


13 posted on 03/31/2010 9:51:13 PM PDT by arthurus ("If you don't believe in shooting abortionists, don't shoot an abortionist." -Ann C.)
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To: garjog

Actually I suspect a nuke on San Diego would be looked as a Crisis to not let go to waste.


14 posted on 03/31/2010 9:52:28 PM PDT by arthurus ("If you don't believe in shooting abortionists, don't shoot an abortionist." -Ann C.)
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To: arthurus
I suspect that current Pres of SK is only concerned with economic indices. His popularity is very sensitive to local economic climate, and he does not have loyal core supporters who can stick with him in time of political difficulty. He does not command real respect from local conservative grassroots.

Hence, he tends to go out of the way to avoid anything which could adversely affect his job performance rating.

15 posted on 03/31/2010 9:57:54 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: arthurus

“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.


16 posted on 03/31/2010 9:59:33 PM PDT by garjog (u)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

TLR

Pretty good looking little swift, Jammer stick looks about right to.

Questions now: if so, why so & who’s on first.

r.


17 posted on 03/31/2010 10:07:18 PM PDT by Rabin
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To: Rabin

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.


18 posted on 03/31/2010 10:13:32 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Thank you for keeping us in the information/news cycle.


19 posted on 04/05/2010 6:36:12 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny ( garden/survival/cooking/storage- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2299939/posts?page=5555)
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