Korean situation

[Mr Rich]

What does everyone think?

Being in China and ironically doing a presentation on the Korean War on Monday (which should have been done 3 weeks ago), I'm arguably quite knowledgeable about the situation.

From a personal point of view, there is clearly going to be exchanges, North Korea is a loose cannon, however, without the proper support of China, which it is highly unlikely to get from a military stand point, so long as its own territory is not infringed upon, the most the North can do is attack South Korea, which without significant provocation would destroy any possible support, militarily, it had from China.

So long as there is no attack on either China or from the US the situation should defuse itself within the next few months. Although the Korean War was a significant part of the Cold War, so who knows what another situation on the Korean Peninsula could create?

 

[The Fixer]

I think the US would like to send north korea into oblivion but won't, north korea know this so carry on acting the pan. These shitty sanctions don't appear to bother them too much as china give them lots of aid etc.... i also think the US are shit scared of pissing china off!

 

[PJMCC1UK]

I've got a fascination with N Korea recently. It is one warped country.

This episode is purely to give Kim Jong Ils son and heir an introduction to the people.
He's been given a responsible military position and needs to be seen as strong and decisive leader so they will be telling their own people that ''the imperialist USA and puppet South Korea'' started the attacks and N Korea responded.

His son was virtually unknown in N Korea. He still pretty much is. So to get him to the God like status of his Dad and Grandfather they made him appear to be defending their lives.

It's a cult over there and the propaganda only leads to a smoother transaction of power when it happens.
They won't use nuclear weapons. Kim Jong Il is not stupid. He'll understand perfectly that he and his country would be obliterated. He's even admitted to it allegedly.

It's a shame China which is becoming more open doesn't put pressure on him and his regime. It's the only way there'll be change there. N Korea are nothing without China's aid. In fact they are nothing now. China only props up the decadent lifestyle of the leaders while his people starve.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

China treads a cautious path as the collapse of the regime would lead to a flood of refugees and chaos on its borders. I guess it also saw North Korea as a buffer between it and an avowedly capitalist country and didn't want any chance of a reunion.

I suspect their eventual aim will be to try to move North Korea more towards their version of a marlet economy under a socialist political system. The question is whether North Korea can be moved anywhere.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

I've also been watching this one closely. It's a tough situation and not one that's going to be easily resolved.

On one side you have the North Korean regime, which is massively in breach of human rights, putting people in concentration camps and such. It can't be healthy for us to sit back and watch this kind of regime decimate people's lives, but at the same time it could be worse if we try to put an end to it.

As has been said China, unless provoked, will be quite happy to stay well and truly out of the whole thing. They're not stupid and they can see that supporting Kim Jong Il would make them public enemy number one with the Western world.

This problem is between South and North Korea. They should sort it out between themselves. We should aid South Korea as long as they act honourable and with dignity towards the situation. I don't think it's likely that war will break out, as somebody has said this is just a way of North Korea inducting their next prodigal son to the people. I think they realistically know the odds of winning a war don't lie in their favour.

Then, how do you stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons and how do you stop Kim Jong Il's evil regime, without war? For me it has to come from the inside, hopefully one day a revolution will break out, but when the people have been brainwashed and conditioned from birth, you just can't see it happening any time soon.

 

[Mr Rich]

As has been said China, unless provoked, will be quite happy to stay well and truly out of the whole thing. They're not stupid and they can see that supporting Kim Jong Il would make them public enemy number one with the Western world.

This problem is between South and North Korea. They should sort it out between themselves. We should aid South Korea as long as they act honourable and with dignity towards the situation. I don't think it's likely that war will break out, as somebody has said this is just a way of North Korea inducting their next prodigal son to the people. I think they realistically know the odds of winning a war don't lie in their favour.

China didn't intervene in the original Korean War until the fighting reached their border and they feared for their own territory, similar to their stance in this case, just warning of provocation and not to enter Chinese territory. It has a policy of leaving internal affairs of countries alone. Ironically perhaps, China lost more than any other country in terms of life in the last Korean War but they were set up and had little choice to intervene, now they are far better equipped to make their own decision, which will be for political peace.

It's a shame China which is becoming more open doesn't put pressure on him and his regime. It's the only way there'll be change there. N Korea are nothing without China's aid. In fact they are nothing now. China only props up the decadent lifestyle of the leaders while his people starve.

A friend of mine was actually thinking of taking a trip to North Korea. Apparantly they only show you a little bit of the 'great city' and do things like take you on the 'world class' subway, which only has about 10 stops and you quickly realise the people (dressed in business clothing, suitcases etc.) who got off two stops ago are back on the train.

 

[buckshot]

I've always thought that if Kim Jong Il ever found out he was dying that he'd launch nukes into South Korea. He is a complete nut and probably thinks the world shouldn't go on without him.

 

[bluetom]

Im livin in South Korea at the moment. Gotta say noone seems to be too bothered here, seems like these things happen once a year or so!! Get more worry off people emailin me from home.

Its an odd situation, one we'll probably never know the ins and outs of. Whatever North Korea do, noones gonna publicly support them - they're a paraiah state who will always be the first to instigate any antagonism in everyones eyes. It's the same with the USSR back in the cold war, or China more recently. Im not saying they didnt instigate the situation, nor am I sympathizing with the regime - but just because they have a corrupted and brutal leadership it doesnt follow they instigate all violence on the korean peninsula.

I would think China will try to keep the North in check for the reasons already spoken about, I think the US are unlikely to want to provoke a war situation at the present moment, they understand Chinas position on this. It's gesturing in order to gain support for the southkorean cause internationally.

 

[Skashion]

The north should get back to building stupidly large hotels and stadiums, the south should get back to making me a cheap but quality 3D monitor and ship it to me in time for Christmas.