Panic in Guam: Threats of North Korea

(photo: https://pixabay.com/en/guam-flag-national-flag-nation-184909/)
By Faith MagbanuaAugust 10th, 2017

News from North Korea spread like wildfire as the country claims that it has missiles capable of reaching the US mainland, but its current target as of now is the Island of Guam, which happens to be a more "closer" target.

The small island in the Pacific is a home to an important strategic US airbase with US nuclear bombers and about 6,000 troops along with some 165,000 civilians living in the island. It is also considered as a US territory, so any attack on Guam would be an attack on the US.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Guam were quick to say that there was nothing to fear from North Korea's angry rhetoric.

In a statement given by Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, he said that "I want to reassure the people of Guam that currently there is no threat to our island." The official statement was posted on Facebook and the Governor also added that the island was "prepared for any eventuality".

 

https://www.facebook.com/eddiebazacalvo/
https://www.facebook.com/eddiebazacalvo/

 

But aside from the reassurance of the Governor himself, the tourists are still concerned about the situation.

Local stand-up comedian Chris "Malafunkshun" Barnett said there was a real level of anxiety: "There have been threats before but this time feels different."

He further adds, "Many people are taking such precautions. We're keeping an eye on the news and we're all praying that the military will help us."

On the other hand, Isa Baza, a local television reporter, said that the authorities believe it would take about 14 to 15 minutes for a North Korean missile to reach Guam.

"And so, that's not a lot of time to respond," she told the BBC. But Baza added that the Guam Homeland Security Office "did say that if there were any threat they would put out a mass public notification via the emergency broadcasting system".

It is not the first time the small island has found itself named as a potential target for North Korean rockets - aside from US military bases in South Korea or Japan, the Pacific island is the closest target for Pyongyang should the regime want to attack the US.

Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Guam's Congresswoman, had said in a statement that the most recent threat was "dangerous and it further heightens tensions in our region".

She went on to criticize President Trump for his "unhelpful" tweeting on the matter and "strongly urged" him to "explore every avenue" to peacefully respond.

While local media are citing many residents sharing the heightened concern, there are still some citizens who are fazed by the situation.

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