Something’s going down — or, more likely, about to blow up — in North Korea. The first indication that NK are planning something big became public via this tweet:
The tunnel referred to is one of those in the test area pictured above. Initially it was thought that this “tunnel test” was scheduled for Saturday because April 15 is the 105th birth anniversary of former NK leader Kim Il-sung — posthumously named the "Eternal President of the Republic" — because current leader Kim Jong-un in all likelihood consider a nuclear explosion to be an appropriate way to celebrate the birthday.
The Pentagon reacted by deploying USAF WC-135 Constant Phoenix to Okinawa, Japan:
But then a second message followed quickly on the heels of the first:
There are some 200 foreign journalists are in Pyongyang. One of them is Will Ripley from CNN and he tweeted the following message at approximately 5:30am local time:
They’ve each been issued with armbands labelled PRESS, had their phones confiscated and been directed by officials to board buses. As yet there is no news of their destination nor any details of what sight/event they are being sent to witness.
Will update as news comes in.
Thursday, Apr 13, 2017 · 2:07:58 AM +00:00 · Mopshell
UPDATE #1
From Reuters report:
...similar announcements in the past have been linked to relatively low-key set pieces.
In 2016, for example, foreign journalists underwent hours of investigation by North Korean officials ahead of what turned out to be a pop concert to mark the finale of a ruling Workers' Party congress.
So it could be a routine investigation of foreign press who are there for the anniversary on Saturday, but the current political intensity around North Korea suggests this is a much bigger fucking deal (h/t to Joe Biden).
Thursday, Apr 13, 2017 · 8:44:28 AM +00:00
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Mopshell
UPDATE #6
Reuters is just now reporting:
Around 200 foreign journalists gathered in Pyongyang for North Korea's biggest national day, the "Day of the Sun", were taken to what was billed by officials as a "big and important event" early on Thursday.
It turned out to be the opening of a new street in the center of the capital, attended by Kim.
So we can breathe a little easier until Saturday at least. I will update this story then if there is news of any substance above and beyond the anniversary celebration.