The Korean Issue

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
21

"Without downplaying the seriousness of nuclear armageddon in the hands of idiots like Kims and Jongs, its what US really deserves anyway."

gosh, let's just downplay the seriousness of nuclear armageddon and have our jollies watching watching the Americans work to disarm the luntics rest of the world sits and scratches themselves.

The whole thing is a giant mathematical puzzle. It is chaos theory. The more nukes floating around the world the more likely one is to be used. Never mind that even the most diligent of superpowers can break apart and lose track of a little plutonium from time to time. Where did I put those launch codes Igor?

Nuclear devices require specific technology. They can be controlled. It will require the whole world to commit to the effort.

Now when you combine a little 1940's technology with a paranoid, isolated, quasi-religious Stalanist state, then things are a little wierd, and less than predictable. I do not feel real fuzzy about a country that is more like a brain-washed personality cult having nuclear weapons. Where are the Israeli's when you need them? Could we please have them take out a couple of reactors again? Somebody is gonna have to do it. Clinton should have done it and wimped out.

Nuclear weapons are not an inalienable right of every state. It is not a sovereign right, as all of our kids would be breathing the fall out. But then again, a big old arms race could be kinda fun!

Oh, what the heck, let's let South Korea and Japan build a few hundred. They have more than enough technology to do it in a year. At least they have elections and some accountability (at least for now). If we are gonna let every dictator in the world have them, then might as well encourage the democracies to have more. As a matter of fact, I think that Israel should have missles that can reach every Muslim capital in the world. If they get pushed into the sea pushing the button can be their last act on earth. Little scary huh?

As a matter of fact, US companies could make a lot of money at this! If Russia and France are gonna sell everybody reactors and missle parts and guidance systems, shoot, we can sell everybody some steath technology to make sure all the planes can get to the targets! Yee Haw this arms race could be fun! Hello Ariel? A couple stealth fighters that can reach Islamabad? Sure we got em! What the heck, they will retaliate against the Indians anyway!

22

So today it seems, the big brother from the North, told his beloved sibling from the South to stay out of discussing the issue of "nukes". Apparently, the North feels this is something only for the big boys.... Pyongyang and Washington. Interesting.

23

America knows that N Korea would give it's second rate soldiers an ass whooping of the century, therefore want the Diplomatic route.

At least N Korea have learnt the lessons of Iraqs stupidity and are not disarming and rightfully so.

After seeing Americas performance against stone throwing equivalent Iraqis, N Korea can now dictate the game and all America can do is buy more loo roll!

24

Faisal bhai where'd you get the idea that China was supporting NK? ASEAN + 3 (Japan, China and SK) have been working towards containing and denuclearising NK. If NK did have nuclear weapons don't you think they would have tested by now? Why are we so sure that they have weapons? Just because they said they have? Come on now, the Korean leaders lie to their own people, they wont tell the rest of the world the truth.
There's no way US is gonna attack NK. They are too closely allied to SK and Japan. They wouldn't want to offend iether of these countries due to their strong diplomatic and economic ties. Japan and SK are too close to NK to take the risk.

25

Kim is too unpredictable to have any steady friendships. Fact remains that North Korea is still embracing the principles of communism and China is the only superpower which still publicly supports communism. Hence they have something in common. Having said that, China will also distance themselves with Pyongyang regime because of its erratic nature and secretive actions.

Which basically leaves North Korea with no real friends in this world. Pretty much the same situation as Iraq. Many countries in the world wanted to support Iraq to spite US, but they just found Saddam to be too unpredictable and a really bad horse to back up. Same with Kim.

Coming to the nuclear threat. I guess we'll only know definitively one way or the other, if Kim decides to press the trigger. Till then, its only he-said-she-said and the speculations. Americans are certainly taking their threats seriously. I would assume they know something more than what common observers read in the papers.
[quote]
There's no way US is gonna attack NK. They are too closely allied to SK and Japan. They wouldn't want to offend iether of these countries due to their strong diplomatic and economic ties. Japan and SK are too close to NK to take the risk.
[/quote]
North Koreans generally threatens South Korea with a nuclear war. I am not sure why South Koreans will be offended if USA decides to take out North's nuclear installations. Same with Japan.

26

I meant to say that the geographical proximity (of SK and Japan to NK) is too close for comfort.

27

Thats true, but the fact remains. Limited strikes on nuclear installations by US will probably not be unwelcome either in Seoul or Tokyo. Although both of them will be afraid of an escalation and a full-scale war in the Peninsula.

28

I tend to strongly disagree. I don't think US attack limited or unlimited will be welcome by iether Seoul or Tokyo. If the US does attack, it will require support from Tokyo due to their 1996 Defense Guidelines Treaty. This treaty has been highly contested by China. They do not want Japan to military ally with the US, especially in the East Asian region. If they do address the NK issue, it will have to be a regional effort. I don't think you're taking into consideration all the intricacies in the relationships between these countries. Furthermore, Japan did not aid Iraq during the war on Iraq. In the Law Against Terrorism passed in the Japanese Diet in 2000, they promised to support the US in their war against terrorism. They will not therefore help the US in attacking NK. It will also have severe implications for SK. They have to consider possible future unification. Are they willing to carry out all the procedures for unification right now? I don't think so. It will probably take another 10 years or so, and right now they need to be concerned about rebuilding Iraq. And anyway, their attention is being diverted to Syria. I really dont think they are going to attack NK anytime soon and even if they do, they will need Seoul and Tokyo's support. But East Asia and ASEAN will have to come to this decision themselves. The US has too much respect for Japan and will not want to offend them.

Peace Out.

29

I have no doubt that US will want to consider the wishes of SK or Japan. Thats not the issue. The real spinner is then why the heck do North Koreans threaten to start a war in the Korean Peninsula and attack the South?

If US does nothing about North Korea, won't it be South Koreans who'd be the ultimate sacrifice if Kim decides to prove his point?

30

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
I have no doubt that US will want to consider the wishes of SK or Japan. Thats not the issue. The real spinner is then why the heck do North Koreans threaten to start a war in the Korean Peninsula and attack the South?

[/QUOTE]

Well that's the issue you brought up, that's why I addressed it.
Both NK and SK want to unify. I think the main issue here is the use of nuclear weapons (WMD). Considering strong US armed presence on the NK/SK LOC, I doubt NK will attack SK, but the use of nukes comes into question. Do they even have them - I think not. If they use conventional arms then it won't be a problem to curb them.

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
If US does nothing about North Korea, won't it be South Koreans who'd be the ultimate sacrifice if Kim decides to prove his point?
[/QUOTE]

Why does everything come down to the US? You're talking like a typical American like the US is the saviour and the be all and end all in East Asian security. If NK decides to use nukes, I have a feeling Japan or China will resort to theirs. OK fine, Japan doesn't have nukes (or so they say), but if they wanted to build them, they could do it at the snap of a finger since they have all the technology.

How can the US go into NK and start searching for their nuclear weapons. Let's say they do have them, don't you think they'd be more tempted to use them if US started prying like they did in Iraq? I think they will have to tread very carefully and use diplomatic tactics first and foremost.

31

Hey, its not me. Its the North Koreans. Why do the North Koreans insist on only talking to US about their nuclear program? Not South Korea. Not Japan. Not China. Only US?

China already has nukes. Japan's defence is practically a US responsibility. Or is it not? In which case Japan's nuclear prowess is kinda moot point. Koreans. Same thing.

If American pulls out its armed forces completely from Japan and South Korea, what will happen? Will North Korea still insist on ONLY talking to Washington? Why?

32

Don't you get it? Kim Jong Il is a lonely man and he fancies Goerge Bush.

Now I need to go to bed, so stop arguing with me. Goodnight.

33

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by cat-woman: *
Don't you get it? Kim Jong Il is a lonely man and he fancies Goerge Bush.
[/QUOTE]

A couple made in heaven... or is it hell? :)