Kim: North Korea in ‘Final Stages’ of Developing ICBM

January 2, 2017 — Voice of America News reports: “North Korea’s leader says his country is in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Kim Jong Un made his remarks Sunday in a televised New Year’s speech.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen on Sunday called on North Korea ‘to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric that threaten international peace and stability.’ She also called on ‘All states to use every available channel and means of influence to make clear to the DPRK and its enablers that launches using ballistic missile technology are unacceptable, and take steps to show there are consequences to the DPRK’s unlawful conduct.’

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests in 2016 undeterred by international rebukes and increased sanctions…” (Russia constitutes the first invasion of Armageddon – Ezekiel 38 & 39.  China and the Oriental nations, the second invasion- Revelation 16:12; Revelation 9:14 – 16.  The third and final invasion is when all nations come against Israel – Zechariah 14:2, and Christ returns in verse 4 to end the most devastating battle ever and then as ‘the Prince of Peace’ – Isaiah 9:6, 7, brings 1,000 years of blessing to the entire world – Revelation 20:4.  See the next three reports.) 

 U.S. condemns Pyongyang missile plan, warns against ‘provocative’ actions

January 3, 2017 — SpaceDaily.com reports: “The United States on Sunday sharply condemned a North Korean plan to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile and warned Pyongyang against ‘provocative actions.’

The toughly worded US statement called on ‘all states’ to show the North that any unlawful actions would have ‘consequences.’

It was issued by the Pentagon at a sensitive time — just weeks before President Barack Obama is due to hand power over to his successor, Donald Trump.

The statement came hours after Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, said his country was close to testing such a missile, which would be capable of reaching American shores.

‘We are in the final stages of test-launching the intercontinental ballistic missile,’ Kim said in a televised New Year’s speech, pointing to a string of nuclear and missile tests last year.

He said Pyongyang was now a ‘military power of the East that cannot be touched by even the strongest enemy.’…”

 South Korea vows U.S. missile system as opposition lawmakers head to China

January 4, 2017 — SpaceDaily.com reports: “South Korea is committed to deploying an advanced US missile defense system this year despite opposition from China, a minister said Wednesday, even as opposition lawmakers headed to Beijing with a different message.

Seoul and Washington agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in the South after a string of North Korean nuclear and missile tests — prompting strong objections from China.

‘THAAD deployment is part of our efforts to bolster defense against threats from North Korea,’ Defence Minister Han Min-Koo said in a report to the country’s acting president.

‘This is not a subject for political considerations,’ he told Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn, who took over the executive powers of scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye after she was impeached last month…”

 U.S. can defend itself from North Korea missile attack: Pentagon

January 4, 2017 — SpaceDaily.com reports: “The United States is certain it can defend itself from an attack by North Korea, the Defense Department said Tuesday after Pyongyang warned it was close to test launching a ballistic missile.

‘We remain confident in our ballistic missile defense and in our defense of our allies and our defense of the homeland,’ Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said at a news briefing.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, in a New Year’s speech Sunday, said the country was ‘in the final stages of test-launching the intercontinental ballistic missile.’

In 2016, North Korea conducted two nuclear tests and numerous missile launches last year alone in its quest to develop a nuclear weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland.

‘We would once again call on the North Koreans to refrain from provocative actions,’ Cook said.

Analysts are divided over how close Pyongyang is to realizing its full nuclear ambitions, especially since it has never successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)…”