North Korea Vs, South Korea

[NINTENDOwii]

This recently came up on the news, and I thought I would inform my minimates-in-arms before anyones else.

http://www2.counton2.com/news/2010/nov/23/...and-ar-1124346/

Yeah it's real, just how much longer till we start sending troops over there?

[Trekker 42]

An ex-military friend of mine said that this is just the kind of bull**** that Kimmy pulls every 6 months or so. Really it all depends on if he escalates from here or if China can calm him down. If not, we may wind up with something big on our hands. And that'll depend on China. If they escalate and China withdraws support, they'll be crushed like a little bug. If China agrees to support, well, we might have ourselves a cluster**** on our hands.

[Rad]

Just a gentle reminder to all who wish to post on this thread that it needs to remain free of any political or idealogical opinions. Other than that discuss away. It's certainly a worrying development.

[groundhog7s]

I just think it's sad that I get most of my news from MMMV than anywhere else. They should really put this kind of stuff on the news (or maybe I should watch it sometimes).

[Trekker 42]

I just think it's sad that I get most of my news from MMMV than anywhere else. They should really put this kind of stuff on the news (or maybe I should watch it sometimes).

Definately on the Fox homepage it was. Like I said, this will depend on if Kim Jong-Il wants to go further with this attack. We might have WWIII, we probably won't. I trust in the diplomatic abilities of the world to get this resolved. After all, nobody wants WWIII. Maybe the French will calm this one down, considering the last two World Wars. (This comment on the French is meant for humorous purposes only and does not reflect my opinion of the French. They have nice cheese. That's about my only opinion about them.)

[karamazov80]

North Korea does tend to act a bit. . .irrationally, as far as international political behavior goes. Since this escalates the potential for conflict, and serious harm to the Kim dynasty, it doesn't make a lot of sense if you figure the regime wants to survive. They have the nuke, which means they have bargaining power and a deterrent to serious attacks from, at least, South Korea. South Korea may hold military drills, but they aren't going to start an invasion (and neither is the U.S. or Japan). But then, the North is so isolated from the rest of the world that you have to wonder if they understand or are concerned with traditional theories and practices of international political behavior.

In any case, you have a bizarre leader in a sad, authoritarian society that doesn't seem to want to improve his country's standing in the world economically or diplomatically, who doesn't seem to care about his populace or his country's perception abroad, and who doesn't fear reprisal from his enemies. With a nuclear bomb. Frightening stuff.

[youbastards]

[Turtle]

But then, the North is so isolated from the rest of the world that you have to wonder if they understand or are concerned with traditional theories and practices of international political behavior.

With all of the support they get from China, I don't think NK has ever had to face the reality of their situation. It really disturbs me that such an irrational regime, so ungrounded, has access to nuclear technology at all. China needs to realize that NK is a friend they don't need.

[karamazov80]

For China, I think the friendship exists solely as a check to other powers in the region and elsewhere. They surely don't need to trade with N. Korea, and it isn't like they share common values. But China is still a non-democratic country, commits serious human rights violations, and engages in shady business regarding currency manipulation and trading practices that set it apart from the rest of Europe, the U.S., and Japan. Apart from helping them to maintain a form of a "balance of power" by allying themselves with N. Korea (and Iran to some extent--as Russia does for a similar reason), they help to keep others from asking too much of them in terms of changing their own, internal behavior, given that they are perceived to be the only serious voices being heard by Kim (if he even cares about what China thinks, which he may not).

So, from China's perspective, I think remaining allied with N. Korea helps more than it hurts. But I'm no Asian specialist, so I'm sure this is a more nuanced relationship with more repercussions than I am giving it credit for.

[buttheadsmate]

I don't know how I missed this thread . I don't know what the outcome will be but my hope would be that there will be some reconciliation in due course without too much bloodshed because it is fairly likely that there will be. The Korean War never ended ,there has merely been a ceasefire for the last 60 years which doesn't seem too healthy a vantage to begin talks. From what I understand South Korea would appear pretty 'up' for another bash at North Korea independently from the US who like China really wouldn't want to get involved IMO. Neither wants to get sucked into something that wouldn't benefit either of them . As in all wars it's the poor ordinary people that suffer whilst the shits at the top just get shuffled .

[TM2 Dinobot]

You know, I have to say that I've often been slightly saddened that we don't discuss politics here. Makes it seem like Ba-Sing-Sey sometimes. However, it makes me glad really. It keeps this place free of strife, and we still like each other. And that's worth a hundred discussions in my book.

[TBT!]

You know, I have to say that I've often been slightly saddened that we don't discuss politics here. Makes it seem like Ba-Sing-Sey sometimes. However, it makes me glad really. It keeps this place free of strife, and we still like each other. And that's worth a hundred discussions in my book.

This place is somewhere to come to escape what a depressing place the world can be, A toy forum doesn't need that sort of friction going on. The no politics and religion rule is there for a reason, just look at the real world or even the topic this thread is about for examples of how differing views on those topics wil get ugly.

T.