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Connect the World
Justice Minister: Gang Seeks $17M for Abducted Missionaries; China Denies Nuclear-Capable Hypersonic Missile Test; U.N. Space Agency: Communities from all over the World should Benefits from Space Technologies; The Space Race: Weighing Collaboration versus Competition; Myanmar Frees Political Prisoners after ASEAN Pressure. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired October 19, 2021 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: $17 million demanded for the safe return of kidnapped missionaries. It's 10 am where they are in Haiti.
I am Becky Anderson, hello and welcome to "Connect the World".
We begin this hour with putting a price tag on a human life, I'm afraid. Kidnappers in Haiti are demanding a staggering $17 million for 17
missionaries abducted over the weekend. They were taken while returning from an orphanage near Port-au-Prince, five are children.
One is just eight months old, now in the hands of a notorious gang. We're hearing from a Haitian security source that they are safe. The missionaries
belong to a faith based organization in Ohio. CNN's Matt Rivers connect; he is now from Port-au-Prince where kidnappings are spiking.
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, sourcing the Haiti security forces tells us that the hostages at least at this point are safe and that the
kidnappers appear calm. Negotiations for their release are ongoing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS (voice over): A desperate call for help as seen in a WhatsApp message obtained by CNN, The message reportedly from one of the 17
missionaries kidnapped in Haiti, it reads please pray for us. We're being harassed, kidnapped currently. They have control of our vehicle with about
15 Americans right now ladies, men and children.
He then says their near Ganthier, the place a source in Haiti security forces confirms is where the group was abducted, 12 adults along with five
children according to Christian aid ministries.
And we're learning more about the gang who may be behind the crime, our source saying it's the 400 Mawozo gang one of if not the most powerful in
the country. It's dozens of members with a distinct Hallmark kidnapping.
Nearly a year ago the gangs alleged leader said me, I work I'm a gangster, I carry weapons while I'm in a gang, I have guns. I don't carry weapons to
terrorize. Carrying weapons doesn't make me a gangster or a bandit.
RIVERS (on camera): Several miles down that road there is where our sourcing the Haitian security forces says this kidnapping was carried out
and in a more normal situation we would drive several miles down that road and go see exactly where this took place.
But following the advice of both our Haitian producer and our security team, we're not going to go any further than this because they say it's not
safe. Down that road is the suburb of Croix-des-Bouquet which is essentially completely controlled by the 400 Mawozo gang, the gang that
authorities say carried out this kidnapping?
RIVERS (voice over): That gang and others have terrorized Haiti for years with kidnappings exploding since January.
According to human rights nonprofit based in Port-au-Prince, foreigners get the attention. But it's ordinary Haitians that are the vast majority of
kidnapping victim's data from the organization shows.
This man says kidnappings here have been happening for so long. Why didn't know one talk about it, then? Why is the world making such a big deal about
foreigners? It's because they're more important.
On Monday, Haitians across the Capital Region took advantage of the renewed attention by staying home. Schools and businesses and transport services
shut down normally packed Port-au-Prince empty. It was a quiet form of protest people demanding safety and security from a government in turmoil.
Nobody is safe says this man.
Even normal people going out to buy food get kidnapped. It's even worse for someone in a car. There's so much fear in the country, even people living
outside the country are afraid to come back.
RIVERS (on camera): And then the conversation that I had this morning with Haiti's Minister of Justice, he tells us that the ransom demands currently
being made by the gang equate to $17 million. They're asking for $1 million for each hostage that they hold at this point.
We know they first made that demand according to the Minister over the weekend, and there have been several calls since then. Between the
kidnappers and Christian aid ministries, the ministry group that those missionaries were working for.
We know that the FBI has agents here on the ground that Haitian Police negotiators are helping guide these negotiations between the ministry and
the kidnappers, but this situation still very much in flux back to you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Matt Rivers reporting. We're also chasing the facts from Ethiopia's war ravaged Tigray region because there is a big U turn to tell
you about. The Ethiopian Air Force is now admitting that it carried out what it calls successful airstrikes on Tigray's Capitol.
[11:05:00]
ANDERSON: That is, according to state run media, at least, which made the announcement Not long after the Ethiopian government initially denied all
knowledge of Monday's air raids, but they were all too real.
The UN says they took the lives of three children. Last time, airstrikes were launched at Mekelle was back in November. That's when the conflict
between two Tigrayan fighters and the Ethiopian government first erupted.
CNN's Larry Madowo is in Nairobi, Kenya joining us from the capital of Nairobi. This is the big U turn. The Ethiopian Air Force now missing it
carried out what it calls, "successful airstrikes on Tigray's Capitol, these successful strikes of course, killing three kids, Larry.
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's correct. An Ethiopian government spokesperson told CNN yesterday, well, we target our own people. We have no
plans to do so.
And it's only hours later Monday evening, when the Ethiopian Press Agency, the state fund outlet said that this was a successful offensive against
only the communication equipment of the Tigray People's Liberation Front.
And they added that they had carried out this attack with position to avoid civilian casualties, but now the United Nations is confirming what our own
reporting has been telling us for the last 24 hours or so that they were in fact civilian casualties, eyewitnesses, so civilian casualties.
And now health workers are telling the UN that at least three children died in this airstrike at least two airstrikes we've told, listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENS LAERKE, SPOKESMAN, U.N. OFFICE FOR COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS: Health Workers Local Health Workers in the hospital in Mekelle on
the ground confirmed to us that three children were killed and one person injured in the airstrike on the outskirts of Mekelle yesterday morning,
local time.
A second airstrike in Mekelle town reportedly injured nine people and caused damage to houses and a nearby hotel. So that was later in the day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MADOWO: So Becky, this initial denial, but Ethiopian government follows a cycle we have seen throughout this conflict where they will carry out a
Military operation and then denied until the evidence is overwhelming and then halfheartedly agree to it.
And that's what we're seeing happen in this case, this conflict has now spread into the neighboring regions of Amhara and afar. And where the
international community has been calling for is the cessation of hostilities, investigation of atrocities that are being carried out in this
conflict and access for humanitarian workers.
At the center of it, we should never forget, it's thousands of people who have been killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and at least 4000 people
in famine like conditions who are really devastating situation in the north of Ethiopia, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, Larry Meadow in Kenya for you this evening. Larry, thank you. Coming up billionaires and world superpowers going head to head in a
battle for space supremacy, developing nations determined they're not to be left behind.
And we're going to speak with two advocates for universal space access. And North Korea's latest effort to show off its Military capabilities comes
amid rising tensions across Asia. What will this increasing militarization mean to the region and the rest of the world? Plus--
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GINO, IRAQI REFUGEE: They put us in a truck and then they took us to the other border, they cut it and they told us to --.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They cut the border, so there was a wire and they cut the wire.
GINO: Yes, they cut the wire.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The EU accusing Belarus, the state organized human trafficking CNN goes inside a refugee center in Germany. Stay with us.
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[11:10:00]
ANDERSON: Poland says it has doubled the number of troops on its border with Belarus. That is it says to deal with an influx of refugees and
migrants from the Middle East coming in from Belarus.
Many of them are trying to make it to Germany. The EU accuses Belarus of state organize human trafficking in Germany is talking about launching
sanctions against Belarus. Our Fred Pleitgen has more on the people who are caught in the middle.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Trapped and desperate between Belarus and Poland refugees begging for passage to
Germany and while many are stopped an increasing number are now making it to Germany to this refugee center in the town of Eisenhuettenstadt.
17 year old Gino just arrived from Iraq via Belarus with her mother and sister and says Bella Russian authorities even drove them to the border.
GINO: They put us in a truck and then they took us to the other border, they cut it and they told us --
PLEITGEN (on camera): They cut the border -- so there was a wire and they cut the wire?
GINO: Yes, they cut the wire.
PLEITGEN (on camera): OK.
PLEITGEN (voice over): The EU accuses strong man Alexander Lukashenko of state organized human trafficking, lowering refugees to Belarus and sending
them across the border, a claim Lukashenko denies.
Poland says it has sealed its border with barbed wire and will even build a wall. Refugees are often trapped between the two sides for days and shoved
back and forth. This woman from Syria tells me the group she was part of slept under trees and ran out of food and water.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Five days later, we drink water from the - on the floor we don't have anything.
PLEITGEN (on camera): You drank water from puddle.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, yes, yes.
PLEITGEN (voice over): Few of the refugees stay in Poland most tried to move on to Germany. The Brandenburg state government says they also say
they've gone from 200 new arrivals and all of August to almost 200 every day now.
OLAF JANSEN, BRANDENBURG IMMIGRATION AUTHORITY: We increase the capacity here and we of course also sped up all of the administrative procedures
without compromising security and health checks.
PLEITGEN (voice over): Poland says the situation at its border with Belarus remains tense. And the Interior Minister of the German state with the
highest refugee influx tells me he wants the EU to get tougher on Lukashenko.
It's a question of tough international diplomacy. He says we as Europe cannot allow Belarus to do something like this. From my point of view, we
could also involve Russia all diplomatic channels need to be used.
But few belief solutions will come quickly. The folks at this refugee shelter say they are already preparing for more arrivals and already
clearing additional space Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Eisenhuettenstadt, Germany.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well the final frontier back in the spotlight here at the Dubai Expo, we are going to take a very short break, and we will be back after
this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: China denies reports that it has tested a nuclear capable hypersonic missile. Beijing today says the test back in August was a
routine experiment involving a spacecraft however, the Financial Times reports it was something with far more ominous implications. CNN's Pentagon
Correspondent, Oren Liebermann now explains.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The soaring tensions between the U.S. and China may have entered a new stratosphere.
For years the U.S. has been working on hypersonic technology weapons that can travel more than five times the speed of sound.
It's been a race between the U.S. and China, which may have just taken a major step forward. According to the Financial Times, China tested a
hypersonic weapon this August launched from a rocket in space, the weapon which collided back to Earth at hypersonic speeds was capable of carrying
nuclear weapons.
The Financial Times reported the Pentagon would not comment on the report. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said officials are concerned with China's
pursuit of advanced weaponry.
LLOYD AUSTIN, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: We watch closely China's development of armament and advanced capabilities and systems that will only increase
tensions in the region.
LIEBERMANN (voice over): China often boasts about its space program. This past weekend, it sent three astronauts to its new space station showing off
its rapidly advancing civilian space program.
But it never said a word about a launch in August until now calling it a routine test of a spacecraft.
ZHAO LIJIAN, CHINESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: What is separated from the spacecraft before it returns is it supporting device which will be
burned up and dissolved as it falls through the atmosphere of glare before dropping into the high seas.
LIEBERMANN (voice over): Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said last month in China was developing new weapons with longer range and may have hinted
at this as well.
FRANK KENDALL, U.S. AIR FORCE SECRETARY: They have now gone from a few hundred miles to thousands to literally around the globe. They've gone from
a few high value assets near China shores to the second and Third Island chains and most recently to intercontinental ranges and even to the
potential for global strikes, strikes from space even.
LIEBERMANN (voice over): It's not only the apparent technology that Chinese are developing; it's the intent behind it. U.S. missile defense systems are
designed to face east, west and north. Officials say detecting launches from Russia and others.
TAYLOR FRAVEL, DIRECTOR, MIT SECURITY STUDIES PROGRAM: Rather than flying over the North Pole which would be the case with a warhead launched the top
of ballistic missile. This particular kind of orbital bombardment system could go over the South Pole that does evade U.S. missile defense systems.
LIEBERMANN (voice over): International treaties govern the use of space for peaceful purposes. But this raises a more daunting possibility, turning the
final frontier into a potential future battleground.
LIEBERMANN (on camera): Even if there's been no official confirmation from this Chinese test by either DOD or state or the White House, this is
certainly something the U.S. was tracking.
If you look back at the 2020 China Military power report from the Pentagon, the U.S. says that China was working on a number of different options for
its nuclear force and delivery options including hypersonic glide vehicles. Oren Lieberman, CNN in the Pentagon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the Final Frontier back in the spotlight here at the Dubai Expo, it is space we can some of the world's biggest players in the space
race are hitting milestones. Let's take a look at some of the headlines from just this past week.
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: Russian cosmonauts and finished filming the first scripted movie in space. The plot involves a surgeon who has to operate in a sick
cosmonaut in orbit because his medical condition prevents him from returning to Earth for treatment, that's a first.
NASA is launching what it calls the Lucy mission to study the Trojan asteroids orbiting areas around Jupiter. They could offer clues about the
formation of the solar system and Chinese astronauts now on board a new space station which China hopes to have fully operational by the end of
next year.
They plan to stay there about six months, China's longest mission yet. With all of these frenzy developments, is there any hope for international
cooperation in the space race? Well, I spoke to a U.S. Congressman who's on a subcommittee on space and aeronautics. Ami Bera is cautious, but he is
optimistic. Have a listen to part of my conversation with him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. AMI BERA (D-CA): The United States and the Soviet Union at one time were competitors in space, but they also were able to come together around
Apollo Soyuz around the International Space Station.
So it's not a given that the United States and China can't work together. As we try to go back to the moon as we tried to go to Mars, you have to
take all of humanity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Let's talk about where the race is, at this point, then China only the second country to land and operate a rover on Mars after the U.S.
very reminiscent of the Cold War when Moscow and Washington was scrambling to put the first man in space and land on the moon.
How would you describe this space competition at present, sir, is it healthy? Is it productive? Is there something more nefarious about it at
this point?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BERA: You know, certainly I think there's competition between Chinese advancement in the United States. You already talked about the UAE sending
a probe to Mars. Competition is not necessarily a bad thing, because it does bring out innovation. But again, if we're going to go to Mars, it
probably will take all the countries working together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, its Ami Bera speaking to me last night satellite, internet surveillance, asteroid mining, even tourism space exploration could become
the next Gold Rush.
This is according to the U.S. Bank, Morgan Stanley, which estimated the global space industry in 2016 was worth about $350 billion. Now, they are
saying it could skyrocket to over 1 trillion by 2040.
And everyone it seems wants a slice of the pie. The billionaire space race between the world's two richest men Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk is dominated
headlines. In recent weeks, the world's superpowers like China, Russia and the U.S. all taking space exploration a lot more seriously, it seems.
The developing world doesn't want to miss out on the possible opportunities either. Take Africa, for example, the continent space budget for this year
is over half a billion dollars. That's almost double from 2018.
20 countries are developing 114 new satellites, which are expected to launch before 2025. Advocates for space access so the technology can make
Africa more climate resilient, improve internet access. And it might even help solve world hunger.
Well, joining me now one of those advocates Temidayo Oniosun, who is the Managing Director at Space in Africa? Thanks for being with us. Sir,
Africa's really is very serious about this space race.
I just want to bring in a graphic map here showing which African countries actually have satellites at present. And how is this all going to work out
why and how, just walk me through what's going on?
TEMIDAYO ONIOSUN, FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, SPACE IN AFRICA: Thank you very much. Currently, 13 countries in Africa are been able to put the
satellites in space. Altogether -- they've launched 41 satellites. And they've also come together to develop three additional satellites.
So Africa has 144 satellites so far. This is satellites, mostly for communications, and observation and technology demonstration. This year
alone, two satellites have been launched and it is estimated by 2024. More than 150 satellites will have been launched by African countries.
ANDERSON: How does the continent compete against Russia, China, even private individuals with bottomless budgets? I mean, talk me through that,
you know, you just basically explain the wave. Let's talk about what it is specifically that's going on and how you might compete going forward.
ONIOSUN: So Africa is not competing with the U.S. entirely. For Africa, Space Technology is all about addressing socio economic problem. That's why
you don't see things like space exploration project.
It's all about capitalizing on space technologies to address different problems in Africa. You know, from eight observation to communications, all
of that.
[11:25:00]
ANDERSON: Let me stop you there, because that observation may be something that our viewers won't have heard a lot about. But it's absolutely
fascinating. Just explain what you mean by that.
ONIOSUN: Oh, this is majorly capitalizing on satellite images to address different problems. So take, for example, in East Africa, they're using
satellite data to track wildlife animals and - fishes. They're using satellite technologies to improve agricultural. You know, when you look at
a large farmland from space, you can detect a lot of things from it from pests and diseases to all of that.
So they're capitalizing on these technologies to optimize the yield. Whether it's in climate change in Southern and Northern Africa, they're
capitalizing on satellite images to, you know, track problems around droughts, around flooding and you know, other disaster.
Gabon, for example, in Morocco, they recently joined the space climate observatory, which is all about capitalizing on satellite data to address
climate change. So this is how African countries are mostly capitalizing on --technologies.
ANDERSON: And we were hoping that the, ahead of the UN's space agency or space agency of space affairs would join in, in fact, she's still not
might, but they helped countries launch some 1300 satellites or space objects last year.
They advised this is the UN advice 13 African States on space. And they got Guatemala's first satellite into orbit. Why is it so important that as the
African continent and as individual African nations, why is it so important, they get this support from the United Nations at this point?
ONIOSUN: So the United Nation has helped Kenya, in Mauritius to launch their first satellite. This is a small satellites, mostly for technology
demonstration. I think access to space is important, because it's not, it's not necessarily important for every country to hone their satellites.
But the access to space program by the UN Office for the space affairs is mostly to provide access to technology, access to resources to develop to
developing nations, and they've done a lot of work with some African countries and some other developing countries outside of Africa.
ANDERSON: The space program in the UAE is new, but it's been it has been explained as an ambition that very much suits the sort of pillars of
economic sustainability going forward, particularly those of science, technology, education, engineering and mathematics.
What's the spin off to an investment by an African nation in that sort of opportunity going forward? Is there that kind of multi layered opportunity
here?
ONIOSUN: Definitely. So take Egypt, for example, Egypt has invested a lot of money in launch and communication satellite. So this is the satellites
that provide services for TV, internet access and all of that.
And the company that they set up to actually operate this, this communication satellite generate about $200 million annually. So that's a
good return on investment. For other countries it's all about addressing the problem.
So most of them are developing an observation satellite in order to provide resources for, you know, different ministries, security and all of that.
ANDERSON: Let's talk about privacy. Do you talk about satellites and space for good. What about the invasion of people's privacy? What about the
concerns people have about other more nefarious opportunities for satellites and other space endeavors?
ONIOSUN: I don't think satellites actually invading people's privacy, especially the kind of African countries are developing. I think the
resolutions are pretty good to you know, using like different industries, but definitely not for, you know, unsolicited surveillance or high level
security. So--
ANDERSON: I want to just introduce Simonetta Di Pippo, who is the Director of the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs. We promised that you might join
us and thank you for doing so. We've just been discussing the opportunity for Africa in space.
And we've even seen billionaires the likes of Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson and Elon Musk, of course, launching their own space project, some will call
those vanity projects. They won't they'll say that space tourism brings a lot of opportunity back down to earth, something that the Prince William of
the British royal family doesn't actually agree with. But we can get to that.
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: And I yesterday put the issue of space projects that these billionaires are talking about to Congressman Ami Bera in the States. Just
have a listen to what he told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BERA: Certainly the innovation that's coming out of the commercial space sector, you know what you're saying with Elon Musk, and Virgin Galactic as
well as Blue Origins and Jeff Bezos - innovation in that economy of space.
What we have to do, though, is much like air travel, we've got to figure out who's managing this, who's navigating what lanes folks are flying into
when they're flying, et cetera.
And I think those are things we have to do at a global level of - one country or another country. So, you know, I think it does require maybe a
UN convention or something of that sort.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What would that UN Charter look like?
SIMONETTA DI PIPPO, DIRECTOR, U.N. OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS: Well, first of all, I'm really happy that we are really talking about
collaboration. Instead of competition, you know, space exploration - is, is right now, I would say by definition, interventional, the more we want to
explore beyond the Earth limits, the more it must be interventional.
And we are the UN what we do is really to try to be as open and inclusive as possible. And so we really do a lot in terms of bringing benefits to
space to developing and emerging countries. Because we do believe that in order to get the better cooperation between States also in bilateral
cooperation, I mean, bilateral relationships really needs to support the development of capacities in the various countries.
And so we really focus on emerging and developing countries to help them using space to also for socio economic sustainable development, but also to
improve their relationship.
ANDERSON: And we've been talking about those very opportunities tonight just before you were you joined us and thank you for joining us. It's great
to have you on.
PIPPO: But I am rushing to come here.
ANDERSON: I wonder just to both of you how the Pandemic has affected the developing world appetite for space, if at all, has it?
ONIOSUN: Not really, for Africa, the space budget has actually increased so more countries and is trying to develop space program. During the pandemic,
some countries were able to capitalize on space technologies to address problems related to pandemic.
For example, Nigeria and Angola did some projects around telemedicine capitalizing on the communication satellite and then some others, who are
able to, you know, create maps to track COVID cases in the respective countries. So the Pandemic has not really had any negative effect on the
industry.
ANDERSON: Prince William, as I alluded to, similar to criticize the space race last week saying we should focus on problems on Earth first. We have
been talking tonight about the opportunities for space technology and how they may improve our lives going forward. Can we do both at the same time?
Can we go up there as well as sorting out what's going on down here?
PIPPO: Well, I believe that we the space community, probably should work a little bit better on the narrative we use to explain how important is space
for everything we do on Earth.
So sometimes the public as the filling that space as far away as cold, dark and this also only the inspirational side, which is absolutely mandatory
until to have also the young generations to work more towards STEM fields and help progress on a certain number of fields.
But you know space is in everything we do. The number of satellites each of us uses every single day is really high. And probably we fail in
communicating the fact that without space on Earth, more or less, everything would be impossible so, yes.
ANDERSON: I figured 30 satellites up there are military hardware, should we be concerned about that? Ultimately, ultimately, as we've talked about
social for good, and we've talked about that tonight, and you've said you don't see satellite technology and space as being an invasion of our
privacy. But how concerned should we be if at all?
PIPPO: Well, what do we do for example; we register all the objects launched into outer space. This is based on the registration convention. So
we the office for outer space appears we discharge this responsibility of the Secretary General.
And as the, let's say, the only 3D based tool that we have for transparency and competence building, which means that you go on our website and you
find all the information you need on each satellite in orbit, every type of satellite.
And this is extremely important because you know, the more you build trust the more you can, let's say foster international cooperation for
maintaining the peaceful uses.
[11:35:00]
ANDERSON: It's been a pleasure having both of you on, thank you very much indeed for joining us. Enjoy the Expo. This is space week at Expo. And we
are taking advantage of some fabulous guests who are coming in to take part in panels and discussions here this week.
So enjoy and it's been an absolute pleasure having both of you on some new and different stuff for our viewers. Thank you. Coming up North Korea fires
a projectile off its east coast with South Korea and Japan saying well, they've got a lot to say about the launch that is coming up after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well officials in Seoul and in Japan are keeping a close eye on a missile launch from North Korea today. Both countries say the launch took
place in the port city of Sinpo, home to one of North Korea's naval shipyards.
South Korea is investigating whether it was fired from a submarine at sea. Our Correspondent, Will Ripley is here to help us break down these
developments. He's reported of course extensively from inside North Korea.
And if you're a regular guest on the show, you will know that he joins us now from Taipei. Will, what do we know at this point?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We don't know yet. For sure, Becky, if this was launched from a submarine, we need to wait for visual confirmation that
will come potentially in a matter of hours. In North Korean state media usually takes around 24 hours after a test.
The rest of the world hears about it first. In North Korea, they hear about it the next day after the images have been approved. You know perhaps
touched up depending on who's there. Certainly if Kim Jong-Un and the leaders there, they want to make sure that everything is spot on before
they publish it.
But if it shows that this missile was actually launched from a submarine, this would be a significant advancement for North Korea. Because back in
2019, they published a photo of a missile raising from under the sea there was speculation initially that it was a submarine launched ballistic
missile.
But then in fact, we learned that it was an underwater platform. South Korea last month launched and tested their own submarine ballistic missile
capable submarines. So it would be pretty interesting timing if the North now claims to have the same technology, albeit their submarine fleet is
pretty loud, pretty old, pretty antiquated.
Certainly not up to the United States or UK, or even China's level of submarine. But if they can launch a missile from it that could potentially
be a very new and dangerous weapon.
And we can add that to list Becky of new and dangerous weapons that North Korea has been testing in recent weeks and months. It was just last month
they claim to have tested a hypersonic missile.
Hypersonic missile can travel at least five times the speed of sound, it can change direction it can literally flying under the radar and it's
almost impossible to shoot down especially with the missile defense systems that are in place in Japan, protecting 125 million people more than 50,000
U.S. troops.
[11:40:00]
RIPLEY: The Japanese Prime Minister in response to this North Korean test today Becky, said that he is now thinking about the possibility of not just
defensive missile capability. But for Japan, which has a pacifist constitution to potentially have enemy base strike capability.
In other words, they can fire a missile and destroy a target outside of Japan, not an incoming projectile. That would be a sea change, to say the
least for Japan. But it is a sign of the times Japan's actually going to be putting missiles and troops on one of their islands about hundred miles
from the main island here in Taiwan, because they're concerned about what's happening with China and Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait.
So lots, lots of moving parts, Becky and you know that always increases the potential risk for some sort of miscalculation.
ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. Your inside analysis is tremendously important. Thank you very much indeed. Let's get you up to speed on some of the other
stories that are on our radar right now. And Reuters reports, a program led by the W.H.O. is seeking to buy new COVID antiviral drugs for as little as
$10 a course.
According to a draft document, the program wants to raise almost $23 billion to buy vaccines, drugs and testing as part of efforts to ensure
poorer countries get fair access.
Venezuela is rejecting calls from the U.S. State Department to really see CITGO 6, the group of U.S. oil executives put back in jail on Saturday, an
apparent retaliation over extraditing Alex Saab to the U.S.
On Monday, the finance here and close ally of the Venezuelan President was denied bail in a Florida court. He's waiting a second hearing next month on
fraud charges. And Myanmar's Junta has freed hundreds of political prisoners just days after its Military chief was blocked from attending the
upcoming ASEAN Summit.
Thousands of people including deposed Myanmar Leader Aung San Suu Kyi have been arrested since a military coup and bloody crackdown earlier this year.
Well, thank you for joining us. World Sport with Alex Thomas is up next.
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