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UN Security Council Considers Action Against North Korea; Brazilians Forget Zika During Carnival; Pro-Assad Supporters Optimistic Military Solution Possible. Aired 8:00a-9:00p ET

Aired February 08, 2016 - 08:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[08:00:21] IVAN WATSON, HOST: I'm Ivan Watson in Seoul. Welcome to a special edition of News Stream.

Celebrations in North Korea, condemnation worldwide. We're covering all the angles of Pyongyang's highly provocative satellite launch.

Kim Jong un's actions have rattled even his closest allies. We'll look at why China is concerned and what's next from Beijing.

And a miracle in Taiwan: an 8-year-old girl is pulled alive from the rubble after an earthquake tears apart a coastal city.

We're in Seoul following action to North Korea's satellite launch. Tensions are high here on the Korean peninsula. South Korea fired warning

shots at a North Korean patrol boat after it crossed the maritime border. And the United Nations security council has condemned the launch for

violating international sanctions and warns there will be punitive action.

But in North Korea, celebrations over the successful launch, including a fireworks display over Pyongyang.

For more on the situation here in the Korean peninsula, our correspondent Paula Hancocks joins us now from Seoul.

Now, Paula, the international community has pretty much universally condemned the rocket launch. Does the North Korean government show any

sign that it cares about this criticism?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It doesn't look like it at this point, I have to say, Ivan.

Take a look at the year that North Korea has had, 2016 from North Korea's point of view has been a wonderful year. They have already carried

out a nuclear test, which they claimed was a hydrogen bomb. Most people don't believe it

was a full hydrogen bomb, though. And then they carry out this satellite launch.

And so today, Monday, in Pyongyang, it was all about celebrations.

As you say, we had those fireworks in the streets, people watching, clapping

and state-run media having interviews with many people saying how wonderful it is that this launch was successful and it is all thanks to their great

leader Kim Jong-un.

Now the North Korean leader has put a premium on his space program. He has been very consistent in saying he wants it to be a very robust space

program. So, he's true to his word. This is what he is going ahead with. And he certainly doesn't seem to care what the world is saying about it at

this point -- Ivan.

WATSON: Doesn't care at all really.

But, you know, North Korea insists it fired an Earth-monitoring satellite into space. It says that it is its right to take this kind of an

action. So, what's everybody so scared about?

HANCOCKS: Well, they do have the right to have a space program, according to many experts here, but the fact is it is not likely to be a

peaceful space program.

Bear in mind that much of the world think this is just a veiled missile test. The rocket that you would use to put a satellite into orbit

is effectively the same rocket you would use to put a warhead into orbit.

So, effectively what he has done is he has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Now, the crucial difference is there is no reentry on this satellite launch. The satellite went into space, as far as Pyongyang is concerned,

and that was the end of it.

They haven't tested the reentry, according to intelligence agencies here. But they have learned from this satellite launch certain things that

are very useful for an ICBM -- the guidance control, the separation. This is very useful to them because the rocket used for a satellite launch,

which is peaceful, can be used to launch a nuclear warhead, which is anything but -- Ivan.

WATSON: And, Paula, explain what are the South Koreans doing now and their allies in the region? How are they trying to make sense of this

latest rocket launch?

HANCOCKS: Well, they're in a very difficult situation. They have been here time and time before. They condemn what North Korea does. They

say that there will be repercussions, that there will be strong action. There are sanctions, but those sanctions are not particularly strong,

because Beijing, one of the very few allies that North Korea has, is reticent to support these strong actions.

So, really, they're in a very binding position where they can condemn as much as they like, but when they're up against an enemy, in South

Korea's sense, certainly they're still technically at war, the two Koreas, it is very difficult to be able to convince them to do something they don't

want to because they don't fear the international repercussions that most other countries do.

[08:05:26] WATSON: Paula Hancocks, our veteran correspondent here in Seoul thank you for your insight there.

Now, despite the backlash, people in South Korea don't appear to be too worried over Sunday's launch. And I got the chance to speak with some

locals here in Seoul as they celebrated the lunar new year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON: This is a traditional changing of the guard ceremony at the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. You see men dressed in the traditional

armor and weapons of warriors from centuries ago who would have protected the ancestors of Koreans.

And they are doing this shortly after North Korea, the neighbor very close to the North, has fired a rocket in an act that has been pretty much

universal condemned by the international community and by South Korea.

But the North Korean rocket launch coincided with the lunar new year, that's the biggest holiday of the Korean calendar, a time when many people

dress up in traditional Korean clothes and they come and visit this palace. No one here seems to be concerned about the belligerent neighbor to the North.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Many Koreans feel regretful for what North Korea did. But since this isn't the first time, South

Koreans don't care that much. So, we aren't too worried. That's why we can still enjoy

celebrating the lunar new year.

WATSON: Are you afraid?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I'm kind of worried, but this isn't something that people like me should be afraid of.

WATSON: So you are happy today?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I think so. Yes, you happy today.

WATSON: Despite the festive atmosphere, the threat South Korea continues to face is very real. With the rocket launch, with the claims to

have tested a hydrogen bomb barely a month ago, North Korea has broken many United Nations security council resolutions.

South Korea says it may discuss possibly deploying new weapons systems to protect itself against the threat of long-range rockets. And it will be

looking towards China to perhaps impose fresh economic sanctions against North Korea.

Centuries ago, Koreans could rely on fortifications, on bows and arrows and spears to protect themselves. Today, the security solution is

much less obvious.

(END VIDOETAPE)

WATSON: It is really something incredible. Even after this rocket launch, after last month's alleged hydrogen bomb test, the people here in

Seoul, it barely seems to register with them. It's very much life goes on. They are very used to this happening next door in North Korea.

Now for China's part, Beijing has already summoned the North Korean ambassador to protest what it calls the use of ballistic missile

technology. As North Korea's major ally, the country now faces heightened international pressure to take more of a stand against Pyongyang.

For more, CNN correspondent Alexandra Field is in Beijing.

Alexandra, it looks like the Chinese government was not very happy with this rocket launch. Is it going to do anything about it?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, all eyes are on the officials here in Beijing waiting to see how they do respond. At this

point, look, China they are part of the security council has condemned this act and said that they will work toward a resolution that in response to

North Korea's action.

But the Chinese then came out of that meeting saying that the resolution should encourage a negotiated solution. So there's some soft

language there.

While so much of the world is condemning North Korea for the launch that happened over the weekend, the Chinese also put out a statement

following that launch saying that they regretted the action that North Korea had taken.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FIELD (voice-over): The provocations from Pyongyang keep coming. First, an H-bomb test, now a rocket launch viewed as a ballistic missile

test -- enough for a senior Chinese official to make a recent trip to the tiny hermit kingdom to call for restraint. But when he returned to China he

seemed resigned.

WU DAWEI, CHINESE SR. REPRESENTATIVE ON KOREAN AFFAIRS (through translator): I said all I had to say and did all I had to do. I don't know

what the outcomes would be at present.

FIELD: The Chinese have more leverage here than any other country, sharing nearly all of North Korea's northern border. They're the country's

largest trading partner and its biggest international investor. The U.S. believes a tighter squeeze on the North Korean economy could force

cooperation.

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: With all due respect, more significant and impactful sanctions were put in place against Iran, which did not have

a nuclear weapon, than against North Korea, which does.

[08:10:09] FIELD: For its part, China has backed recent U.N. sanctions against the country, targeting military weapons, luxury goods and

technology. But normal trade with China continues largely unaffected. With the risk of the economic collapse of a neighboring country in the balance,

China cautions against taking sanctions too far.

WANG YI, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): Sanctions are not an end in themselves. A critical thing is to achieve a resolution of

the issue. China will act in a responsible manner. In the meantime we must point out that the new resolution should not provoke tensions that

destabilize the Korean peninsula. Rather, push towards the goal which is negotiation.

FIELD: There are mounting signs of a cooling relationship between North Korea and historically its biggest supporter.

CHENG XIAOHE, CHINESE FOREIGN POLICY ANALYST: China is not in the positions to support war regime or prop up war regime.

FIELD: After North Korea's most nuclear test China's President Xi Jinping spoke with South Korea's President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President

Barack Obama. President Xi has never met with Kim Jong-un in the four years since North Korea's dictator came to power.

(END VIEOTAPE)

FIELD: And while the Chinese tried to dissuade North Korea from going through with the launch, the most concrete step that they've taken, Ivan,

since the launch has been to summon that ambassador to register this complaint.

WATSON: Alexandra, let's talk about sanctions now.

Washington wants China to get tougher on North Korea. What kind of pressure could Beijing bring to the table if it wanted to?

FIELD: Look, Beijing is the largest trade partner for North Korea. They've got the most leverage here. It's why John Kerry, U.S. secretary of

state, traveled to China last week to put pressure on China to crack down here. So, the Chinese have some options.

They could get on board with plans for stricter sanctions, which have been in discussions since that purported H-bomb test carried out by the

North Koreans a month ago. There are also others, though, who say that there are also a lot of strict sanctions that are already in place. And

there are some who say that the Chinese could do more to act on those sanctions, to uphold those sanctions.

For example, you have got the import of luxury goods to North Korea, which is banned under the current sanctions. There have been questions

about whether or not those sanctions have been upheld. It comes to head specifically over the case of a ski resort that was built in North Korea in

2013. The parts for that were supplied by the Chinese. That's been widely reported.

There were questions about whether or not something like that would fall under the category of the import of luxury goods, or if that was just

part of normal trade, which does persist to this day between North Korea and China.

WATSON: Alexandra, luxury goods to a ski resort for a country that's faced starvation like North Korea. Does that count as an assembly of

luxury goods?

Thanks very much, Alexandra Field in Beijing.

We'll have much more on North Korea throughout this special edition of News Stream.

Also ahead, in Taiwan, dozens of people are still trapped in the rubble from Saturday's earthquake. Rescuers have also managed to free

survivors. We'll bring you the latest just ahead.

Plus, an escalation in Syria's civil war forces thousands from their homes. But many say their path to safety is being blocked. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:15:28] WATSON: That's a live image from Seoul here. You're watching a special edition of News Stream. We're in Seoul following the

tensions in the region after North Korea launched a rocket.

North Korea says it was a satellite for monitoring. But some nations say the launch was actually a front for a ballistic missile test.

This comes on the heels of Pyongyang saying it had tested a hydrogen bomb. The South Korean ambassador to the UN says North Korea is

deliberately trying to upset peace in the region.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OH JOON, SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UN: With that kind of theory was there, at least I think let's say 10 years ago, that North Korea might

be using this as a bargaining chip. But by now, after they have connected four nuclear weapons tests and six missile launches, it seems to me that

they are pretty determined to defy the international community and to threaten the peace and security of the world by acquiring full nuclear

weapons capabilities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: Both the launch and nuclear tests are against international resolutions.

Moving on to Syria, there are thousands of Syrians now stuck along the border with Turkey after fleeing escalating violence in the city of Aleppo.

Turkey is already sheltering 2.5 million Syrian refugees and says it still has an open-door policy

for those fleeing the war. But a border crossing there remains closed.

Those stranded have been forced from their homes by a wave of air strikes in northern Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the

strikes hit towns just north of Aleppo.

Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air power, are closing in on the eastern half of

Aleppo.

Our senior international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen has more from the capital Damascus.

(BEIGN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Here the Damascus, the mood among supporters of President Bashar al-Assad is more

optimistic than we have seen it probably in the last couple of years. People here are seeing the games that the Syrian military has been making

on almost all fronts on the battlefield, of course very much backed by Russian air power and

pro-Iranian militias as well.

And while the United States and also the United Nations continue to say that there can only be a

political and never a military solution to this conflict, there clearly are some Assad supporters who believe that indeed there could be a military

solution in their favor. They believe that if the Syrian military continues to make gains, especially around a Aleppo in the north

of the country, they could deal the rebels a decisive blow and therefore then cement their power.

Of course there are still many question marks. How solid are the games that the Syrian army and its backers have made? Are they fragile or

can they hold?

And also, could some other country still intervene here in the conflict on the part of the rebels? So, while there are still many

question marks, certainly the mood that we are seeing, the amount of people who are on the street who are coming out indicates that the Syrian

government believes that at this point in time it is winning.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Damascus.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON: Now, to Russia. Authorities there say they have arrested seven people who were allegedly planning to carry out terror attacks in

Moscow and in two other cities.

Russia's federal security service says they are all suspected members of ISIS and entered the

country from Turkey. The suspects include Russian citizens as well as passport holders from central Asia.

In Taiwan, rescue operations are rounding out a third day. New video shows a girl being pulled alive from the rubble. She had reportedly been

trapped for more than 60 hours -- 60 hours.

Saturday's earthquake killed at least 39 people. 118 people are still missing. Saima Mohsin has more on the rescue efforts.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The majority of those killed were in this apartment building in the city of Tainan, Taiwan's

oldest city.

Floor after floor stacked on one another like falling dominoes. Entire families, children's lives, turned upside-down, cars crushed beneath

the weight of just one cement block.

The extent of the damage can only truly be absorbed from the sky, white smoke and dust still

rising. And in the belly of the building, brought to its knees, rescue workers do their best.

[08:20:14] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I was so afraid that what if the rescuers couldn't find us? That I would start screaming

as soon as I heard anyone looking for survivors. And since my husband and I were trapped in different rooms, we kept making sure each of us was OK.

MOHSIN: But for some, it was too late. For others, time is running out. It's now day three of the search and rescue effort. Many remain

trapped inside with more than 100 people still missing.

But rescuers have found glimmers of hope. On Monday morning, a woman pulled from the rubble, found under the body of her husband. He'd shielded

her from a collapsing beam. Beside them, their 2-year-old son didn't survive. Five members of her family still missing.

Saturday's 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck before dawn. Rescuers working in the pitch black of night. It came on a weekend meant for

celebrations. Today is the start of Chinese new year when, like Christmas Eve or Thanksgiving, people have holidays to spend with loved ones.

Somehow, the celebratory lanterns still cling to their wire.

And across the country, dinners are being postponed, locals responding with a stoic community spirit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We can still eat New Year's dinner in a few days. It doesn't have today. First, we'll help other

people. It doesn't matter.

MOHSIN: Taiwan is in the so-called ring of fire area in the Pacific Oocean where intense tectonic plate movement causes frequent earthquakes.

So the fact that at least 11 buildings were brought to the ground has caused anger and concern. An investigation will begin after the rescue

operations are completed.

But for now, families will bury their dead, nurse the injured, and mourn this tragedy on Chinese New Year's Day.

Saima Mohsin, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON: A race against time in Taiwan.

Still ahead on News Stream, feeling the heat. Marco Rubio gives a less than stellar performance in New Hampshire with one day until the U.S.

election's first primary. How badly has he hurt his chances?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:25:21] WATSON: Welcome back.

That's a view of the South Korean capital on the evening of the lunar new year, the year of the monkey.

We are here in Seoul for a special edition of News Stream, as we cover North Korea's satellite launch.

Right now North Korea is believed to already have one satellite in orbit. However, there are doubts whether it is functioning or not.

U.S. officials is say the rocket used to launch North Korea's satellite is based on a long-range

ballistic missile. And could deliver a nuclear warhead. We'll have much more on this story throughout the show.

Donald Trump says he won't be happy if he finishes in second place in New Hampshire. In just one day, the state hosts the first primary contest

in this year's election. The latest CNN poll of polls suggests Trump has 31 percent of the vote, that's more than double his closest rival, Marco

Rubio, who is trying to shake off a questionable debate performance.

Sara Murray has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, (R) FLORIDA: It's funny. The -- I don't know. People think it's a bad thing. I'm going to keep saying it over and over again.

Barack Obama is trying to change America.

MURRAY (voice-over): One day until the New Hampshire primary, Marco Rubio is doubling down on his rhetoric after Saturday's shaky debate

performance.

RUBIO: If you want to be like another country, why don't you move to another country?

MURRAY: Under fire from Chris Christie...

GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE, (R) NEW JERSEY: You have not been involved in a consequential decision where you had to be held accountable. You just

simply haven't.

MURRAY: ... the freshman senator repeated the same line four times Saturday.

RUBIO: And let's dispel once and for all with this fiction that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing. Let's dispel with this fiction that

Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing. He knows exactly what he's doing. This notion that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing is just

not...

CHRISTIE: There it is. There it is. The memorized 25-second speech. There it is, everybody.

MURRAY: Back on the campaign trail, his GOP rivals are exploiting his slip-up.

TRUMP: Did Marco do well last night in the debate?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No!

BUSH: You cannot script being commander in chief.

CHRISTIE: We need someone who's been tested and ready to go against Hillary Clinton. Senator Rubio proved last night he can't do that.

MURRAY: This as polls continue to show Trump way on top in New Hampshire, much to the dismay of the establishment candidates.

BUSH: Donald Trump, you're the loser.

MURRAY: The billionaire garnering more than twice the support of his nearest competitor.

Meanwhile, Rubio is already looking past the primary.

RUBIO: I'm coming back in August and September, because we're going to win New Hampshire in the general election.

MURRAY: As the front-runner, after his second-place finish in Iowa, tries to manage expectations.

TRUMP (via phone): I think I'm going to do very well in New Hampshire. But no, I don't -- I don't think -- I want to win New Hampshire, but I

don't think I have to win it, no.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON: And we'll bring you continuing coverage of the New Hampshire primary all day Tuesday as it happens right here on CNN.

You're watching News Stream live in Seoul.

Coming up, we have more on the international condemnation that North Korea faces after its latest rocket launch.

Plus, mosquitos carrying Zika virus are now in some 30 countries in the Americas. But that's not stopping millions from celebrating Carnival

in Brazil.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[08:32:18] WATSON: Tensions are running high here on the Korean peninsula. South Korea says it fired warning shots after a North Korean

patrol boat crossed the maritime border between the two countries.

The United States and South Korea are now looking at deploying the THAAD missiles defense system, that stands for terminal high altitude area

defense system. It can target short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles in flight.

South Korea has every reason to be worried about its northern neighbor. With 1 million active soldiers, Pyongyang has nearly doubled the

number of troops as the south.

Fireworks lit up the sky over the North Korean capital a short time ago in celebration of what Pyongyang says was the successful launch of a

satellite.

But the mood among its neighbors and in the U.S. is far less celebratory.

As UN correspondent Richard Roth reports, the UN security council has promised consequences.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For years, the UN security council has listened to threats from North Korea. Now it is the turn of the

diplomats here in New York to issue threats.

The security council held an emergency sunday morning to discuss the launch of North Korea's

rocket, which Pyongyang say is purely for Earth observation.

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power, though, says nobody should be fooled.

The diplomats met behind closed doors. And afterwards agreed to strongly condemn the North Korea launch and also to warn of significant

measures in a strong resolution aimed at Pyongyang in the coming days, or weeks, or months.

SAMANTHA POWER, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UN: Each of these provocations, each of these illegal actions requires a robust response.

Because of the DPRK's decisions and actions, we will ensure that the securitycouncil imposes serious consequences.

ROTH: Even though they knew this launch was coming, there is growing frustration here in New York at Pyongyang just totally violating four

security council resolutions over the years.

MOTOCHIDE YOSHIKAWA, JAPANESE AMBASSADOR TO UN: Business as usual will no longer apply. There has been many resolutions, which have not been

implemented by the DPRK. And we have to work on this basis, working on the new security council resolution.

ROTH: China's ambassador would only say there should be a resolution, but there should be calm on the peninsula. Russia worried about

destabilizing North Korea through sanctions, effecting the economy of the country.

There is an urgency expressed by the U.S. ambassador saying time is ticking.

Richard Roth, CNN, United Nations.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[08:35:03] WATSON: Let's switch gears to Brazil where the Zika virus doesn't seem to be dampening the mood at Carnival celebrations.

More than a million people partied in the streets of Rio and other Brazilian cities on Sunday. And hotel bookings are actually up from last

year.

Still, authorities are very concerned. And they're urging people to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Senior international correspondent Nick Paton Walsh reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Welcome to perhaps the most infectious place on Earth, but it is not just the world's biggest

party that's contagious.

A million souls in hedonistic abandon, and Zika, a disease terrifying most because we know so little about it, just isn't getting in the way of

on anything at all. Try telling this lot to wear long sleeves.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In Carnival, Brazilian people forget their problems.

WALSH: They're just not thinking Zika at all.

"My family abroad is more worried about Zika," she says.

Huge crowds at the height of mosquito breeding season. That's a bad idea s. And if it's in saliva, you are definitely not meant to do this.

And the fear it might transmit sexually, nah, whatever.

This man isn't a policeman but is being cautious, he says.

"Yes, we are worried and we are talking precautions because of the virus," he insists, "but not

mosquito repellent."

The band plays on. Men who have seen other diseases flourish and fade.

Where you don't hear this music on the other side of town where live those who clean up the mess of the rich partying, Zika is very real. And

means a week of work this made.

"The only people who really understand Zika," she says, "are those who have already had it. The attitude on the streets now is wrong. If the

country ignores it, it makes it worse. I'm taking my attitude home with me. I brought nets. I don't want a mosquito to beat me again, to beat my

family again."

Hotel occupancy is up, even in Zika hot beds in the north. Party on. But maybe some dance to forget the sometimes terrifying disease in their

midst and maybe hope the morning after's headaches are from cheap rum alone.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Rio de Janeiro.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON: You're watching a special edition from News Stream in Seoul.

Coming up, we'll have more on the tensions in the Korean peninsula and a look at what's

next for North Korea. Stay with CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(MUSIC)

WATSON: Just listen to that. That is a music video that Pyongyang released in celebration of its satellite launches. The song talks about

the latest launch, but the video actually shows images from a rocket that was fired back in 2012.

North Korea says its satellite is being used for monitoring and for peaceful development.

But critics say this launch is the latest act of provocation by Pyongyang. It comes on the heels of what North Korea claims is a hydrogen

bomb test. That claim was also widely condemned, but as we saw Sunday, the North is ignoring the global criticism.

I want to bring back our Paula Hancocks. Paula has been covering the conflict in Korea for five years. What is the endgame here, Paula? And

can you explain the mindset of the North Korean government?

What would it take for Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons program once and for all?

HANCOCKS: Well, Ivan, I asked an expert about this yesterday. And he put it very succinctly. And he said basically the only thing that will

make Kim Jong-un give up his nuclear program is either force or revolution.

Now neither of those things are particularly likely or even palatable at this point, force meaning that there had to be preemptive strikes

against a space program, against nuclear sites. There are very few countries, if any in the world, that would be willing to sign on that

considering it would mean basically -- essentially a war on the Korean peninsula.

It is not likely to happen.

But then to convince Kim Jong-un to give up his nuclear weapons, something that he is so proud of and his father was so proud of, it means

it would have to take a change in ideology. The state ideology would have to change. The state identity would have to change, which means it would

have to be a revolutionary change.

So, quite frankly, it is unlikely that they are going to give up their nuclear program. You can't see why they would, especially when they have

given the examples of Libya, of Iraq, as reasons why they shouldn't give up their nuclear weapons. Those leaders did. And certainly things did not

end well for them.

This is what North Korea sees. And this is one of the many reasons they are not going to give up their nuclear weapons.

WATSON: That's Paula Hancocks live here in Seoul sharing her hard- earned experience here covering the Korean peninsula.

Thank you, Paula.

The lunar new year has been welcomed in parts of Asia in spectacular style. In Hong Kong, staff from the city's flagship airline Cathay Pacific

staged this stunning performance for the year of the Monkey.

While Beijing kicked off the year with a dazzling fireworks display. Also known as the spring

festival, the televised broadcast is the most watched broadcasts. Traditions include giving children

money in red envelopes and feasting with friends and family.

That's all from this special edition of News Stream. I'm Ivan Watson in Seoul. But don't go anywhere. World Sport is up next with all the

thrills and spills from Super Bowl 50.

END