Korea

[Gorth]

Scrap that, Sarah Palin just sworn alliegence to the Best Korea.

Heck of a Freudian slip.

Brings back memories... what was his name, Dan Quayle or some such

 

As to the whys and wherefore speculations, quoting myself from elsewhere (because I like the sound of my voice):

 

Showing off their uranium enrichment facility a few days ago should sort of have been a big hint that they are getting desperate.

 

Summing up so far...

 

To the outside world:

Pretends to have nukes, yet never proven

Shows several failed attempts at medium distance missile launches

Look, we can enrich uranium

Shoot a few South Koreans with cannons, sink a ship

We are so dangerous, you better give us all your rice and oil or you'll regret it

 

Internally:

Look brave loyal citizens of the Kim empire Socialist Paradise, the decadent capitalists keep provoking us, yet our technological superiority maces the capitalist world shiver in their pants. Is only fair that they pay proper tribute and reparations to us, the victims of their persecution. Vive la Revolution!

 

Or some such

 

I.e. they (NK) need to deflect the attention from bad soccer performances and empty bellies.

[Orogun01]

Scrap that, Sarah Palin just sworn alliegence to the Best Korea.

Heck of a Freudian slip.

Brings back memories... what was his name, Dan Quayle or some such

 

As to the whys and wherefore speculations, quoting myself from elsewhere (because I like the sound of my voice):

 

Why Gorth; I didn't know you were an artist.

[Humodour]

Gorth is on the money - apparently the North Koreans are starving again (actually I think they've always been dying from starvation, since their government has not done anything about it besides outlaw commerce and trade, and constantly pisses off the people who would supply food aid):

 

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/...ord-experts-say

Edited November 25, 2010 by Krezack

[Tigranes]

You can sort of link the emergence of starvation as a staple in the NK (which is likely the last 15-20 years) with the increase in posturing - as well as, of course, the increased international prestige and influence SK has gained in that time. But yes, the most likely outcome is not much happening. Lee Myung-Bak has already shown that he will probably be a bit more wary than Cheonnan, when he got burned by not taking care of the China/Russia side carefully enough.

 

The one major variable is how long China will put up with it, until it becomes not so worthwihle to coddle/defend NK.

[WILL THE ALMIGHTY]

The one major variable is how long China will put up with it, until it becomes not so worthwihle to coddle/defend NK.

 

I have to wonder why China even bothers with NK. What's so worthwhile in defending it?

[Gorth]

The one major variable is how long China will put up with it, until it becomes not so worthwihle to coddle/defend NK.

 

I have to wonder why China even bothers with NK. What's so worthwhile in defending it?

Why do you have pawns in a chess game?

[I want teh kotor 3]

Can we just carpetnuke these dip****s already?

 

EDIT: Okay, that might be a little unrealistic. But a suitcase in Pyongang would do wonders for the country's people.

Edited November 25, 2010 by I want teh kotor 3

[Nepenthe]

Nothing major will happen. Unless the new supreme leader of the Best Korea has a screw loose, there will be some minor skirmishes here and there + some silly rhetoric. The only plausible reason was that the family of Kims wishes to demostrate their power, both internationally as domestically. China, Japan and especially South Korea are not interested in an open conflict. Add the interests of Russia and the US to equation as well and there will be more "peace"-talks, more foreign aid and new trade regulations that will benefit the state of the Best Korea.

You're making a big assumption - that any of the Kims is actually in charge.

[Moose]

Scrap that, Sarah Palin just sworn alliegence to the Best Korea.

Heck of a Freudian slip.

 

Nah she's just dumb. A curse on anyone that votes for her.

[Humodour]

The one major variable is how long China will put up with it, until it becomes not so worthwihle to coddle/defend NK.

 

I have to wonder why China even bothers with NK. What's so worthwhile in defending it?

 

There's a few easy to figure out reasons, the biggest one being it makes China look more civilised and humane when you've got such an atrocious, ****ed up state nearby. It also distracts the Western military in a similar manner.

 

That said, China no longer has control over the situation and it has become damaging to their reputation and their regional goals. 1) it galvanises and unites Western and Asian nations into a cohesive force which is exactly the opposite of what China wants - China prefers its neighbours scattered and isolated as they are more pliable and easy to intimidate... and heck now China has to deal with US-SK join naval exercises, that has really angered them apparently, and 2) China looks politically impotent for not having any influence over North Korea whilst also hindering any Western efforts to reign them in.

 

But I talk of China as a holistic entity. It is actually governed by multiple conflicting factions - in this case North Korea's biggest supporters are the Chinese army. Not exactly a faction that is easy to overrule.

Edited November 25, 2010 by Krezack

[GreasyDogMeat]

Geez. I have a hard time believing she will even get within sniffing distance of the Republican presidential nomination.

Never say never! We elected the first black president of our

[Guest Slinky]

Yeah, I hope you guys get the Brightest Guy In Universe back in the white house:

[GreasyDogMeat]

Yeah, I hope you guys get the Brightest Guy In Universe back in the white house:

Heck no! We want change!

[Guest Slinky]

But wouldn't it be pretty nice change if you would elect an chimpanzee for president? You did realize I meant it instead of the neanderthal on the left

[GreasyDogMeat]

But wouldn't it be pretty nice change if you would elect an chimpanzee for president? You did realize I meant it instead of the neanderthal on the left

Of course. Tax payer's money would likely be put to better use compared to either.

[HoonDing]

Hitler was a socialist, alright.

[Malcador]

Everyone's like Hitler.

[Orogun01]

We have officially reached Godwin's law Mach 5.

[Junai]

Nobody said change was easy.

It's amazing how patient americans are when it comes to change in Iraq, as opposed to Obama's change in America..

 

J.

[Volourn]

It's amazing how you talk about what Amerikans tthink and do when you are talking to a Kanadian.

 

V.

Edited November 25, 2010 by Volourn

[Nepenthe]

Nobody said change was easy.

It's amazing how patient americans are when it comes to change in Iraq, as opposed to Obama's change in America..

 

J.

[Rostere]

Nobody wants a war with North Korea. Keeping in mind they can barely support their current population as it is, a war will cause the worst refugee disaster we've seen since WW2. I don't think anyone is afraid of the North Korean army crossing their borders, however noone would like the entire population of NK starving and flooding over their borders.

 

While I can understand that some countries don't usually have problems with these kind of things, eventually someone will have to take humanitarian responsibility for all the displaced and starving people.

[Nepenthe]

Nobody wants a war with North Korea. Keeping in mind they can barely support their current population as it is, a war will cause the worst refugee disaster we've seen since WW2. I don't think anyone is afraid of the North Korean army crossing their borders, however noone would like the entire population of NK starving and flooding over their borders.

 

While I can understand that some countries don't usually have problems with these kind of things, eventually someone will have to take humanitarian responsibility for all the displaced and starving people.

 

You do realise that North Korea has the fourth largest army in the world? It's not a question of just walking in there and taking control of the place, but refraining from it due to a potential humanitary crisis. Hell, the reason they are in that shape is because it's not a country, it's a support structure for a massive army.

[Guest Slinky]

It's an army!? I thougth it's a huge circus or something, which does parades and stuff!

 

Edit: Oh, and occasionally behaves badly at the border.

Edited November 25, 2010 by Slinky

[Walsingham]

I swear to God that Junai has been on this board about as long as I have and that he hasn't read a single solitary word I've written.