North Korea: What to do?

Interesting articles, FBM, from your newspapers. Can you tell us a bit about the press in SK? Where, traditionally, are these papers you quoted positioned? Are there news outlets more supportive of your President?

We've been in that situation ever since the Chinese fought us to a standstill. They eventually signed a ceasefire not a peace agreement because they realised the west would not give up. I believe they now think we are weak.

As a point of interest, the original UN agreement calls for the return of its forces if the ceasefire should be violated. I cant count the number of times it has been violated and nothing has happened.

The Chosun Ilbo is the most conservative, right-wing paper. The Joong-ang Ilbo is more centrist, but maybe a little right-leaning. I don't think I've linked to any of the others, but here's a link to probably the most left-wing paper: http://english.hani.co.kr/kisa/section-014000000/home01.html. There's no appreciable censorship in newspapers, as far as I can tell. People are free to say whatever they like about the current admin and the Prez in particular.

TV is a different matter. The Prez and his consorts have bought up most of the broadcasting stations and heavily influences their content. That's been a big bone of contention around here since not too long after he took office.

Just bookmarking. Thanks FBM for giving us a local perspective. Is it someone in the old guard paint KJU into the same corner as his father, or was it an attempt to mobilise nationalism behind him?

Our news is coming from the US and is saying that NK is currently NOT mobilised for an invasion and that the attacks appear to be isolated. Fingers crossed.

For years now China has been dealing with a Korean refugee problem from the north. I wonder just how good that relationship is.

I read in one of the papers yesterday that not only had unusual troop movements been spotted in the area before the attacks, KJI and his heir-apparent, KJU, had actually visited that area in the days before the attack..

Of course, if it's true that they visited the area, the troop movements could simply be related to that visit, not necessarily getting ready for an attack. I haven't heard of any other signs of the North enhancing their defenses or anything of the sort, though. Now that you mention it, I haven't seen any reports on what spy planes and satellites have been picking up in the past day or two.

Bookmarking & posting a recent update:



http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/25/3076577.htm

First came across this at 'supaswap-news.com' in my view the posturing is a pre cursor to change at the top in NK. They seem to think this will strengthen the 'son's' reputation with the military

Weird

Yeah, that's emerging as the most likely explanation. Six months ago, hardly anyone - including in NK - had even heard the younger Kim's name. Next thing you know, he's a 4-star general despite having no military background. Then, a couple of weeks ago, NK published a photo showing KJU sitting immediately at KJI's left side with senior military figures standing behind, a tacit message that he was second in command. I think just in the last week or so an official in the North publically mentioned KJU's name in context with succession.

But KJU is still unknown even to NKoreans, so, yeah, he needs to gain some street cred somehow. This is the NK 'legend-building' method, seems.

The big question is whether or not the real military will accept KJU, a 28-y.o. with no experience, as their Commander-in-Chief, so to speak. In Confucian countries, age and tenure determine rank as much or more than actual accomplishment (of which KJU has none, anyway).

The family is trading on the reputation of Kim Il Sung...that is bound to be diluted by the time of the grandson, Kim Jong-un.

From what defectors report, it was diluted by KJI's rise to power. They say KIS is still revered as the revolutionary founder, but KJI's 'fame' was/is largely forced, and many or most NKoreans secretly view him as a despot. There may not be anything left over for the new guy. End times for the NK regime may be at hand. Seems pretty likely, whether the change comes from the inside or out.

Defense Secretary resigns after criticism of the military's tepid response.

The end of a despotic regime with nuclear weapons. I wonder if our luck will hold ?

I know Carter is an easy target but he has been involved with NK for some time now and just recently came back from over there, he has an article..

North Korea's consistent message to the U.S.

President Carter (arguably one of our better ex-Presidents) will get nowhere with his suggestion of bi-lateral talks with North Korea. South Korea, the U.S., China etc would never support the concept.

I have no more questions . . . Sarah Palin has said that we have to stand by our North Korean allies . . .

So easy a target that there's no sport in taking a shot at him.

she's so bright and shiny it's hard to look at her

This is a game with no good end in sight.

The possible reasons for North Korea's aggressive behavior have been discussed, and none of them present any possibility of an outcome that will put an end to what has become routine.

Direct military conflict, beyond these limited engagements, seems to be out of the question. A mushroom cloud rising over the rubble of Seoul is far too likely an outcome to warrant the risk.

Even if the Chinese agreed to additional sanctions designed to bring the regime to its knees, it would almost certainly have the same result as direct armed confrontation. The worse conditions in NK become, the more likely they will respond with aggression.

I would like to believe that there is already action being taken to subvert the regime from within, but that is by no means a sure solution and will take a long time.

All that the US can do is talk tough, periodically give in to NK extortion under the guise of negotiating a peaceful solution, and hope that one of these incidents don't spiral out of control.

We missed our chance at keeping nukes out of their hands, because the only sure way to do so was fraught with peril and unpleasant outcomes, and our leaders for too long actually believed the North Koreans could be talked down from the precipice. Unfortunately, the precipice is the only place where the regime can thrive.

Looks like we will end up waiting them out, as in cold war wait. Hoping once again nobody unleashes the nukes. Nobody is willing to act on other options, I think.