A Few Thoughts on North Korea

If you care to know what is going on in the world, then you know that North Korea (NK) recently tested a second nuclear weapon and has been shooting off a bunch of missles in related tests. NK also said it will no longer abide by the terms of the truce that ended the Korean War, and condemned South Korea for agreeing last week (in response to the 2nd nuclear test) for joining the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative aimed at interdicting ships trafficking weapons of mass destruction. It was reported this weekend that up to 180 Chinese ships fishing (mostly illegally) near the western sea border between the two Koreas (which NK disputes) fled back home, and NK is showing potential signs of getting ready to test yet another missle. Things are looking grim.

Some people have asked me about things here, given the NK threats, and it is a bit strange. South Korea (SK) has been deeply engaged in mourning the death (by suicide) of its ex-president (involved in a money scandal), and that consumed the national news here. Yet the NK situation is still there, and looks unlikely to disappear from the news.

And, from my personal perspective, it shouldn't. NK has used threats, blustering, and numerous illegal acts (counterfeiting, kidnapping, drug-running, terrorism, assination plots, etc.) over the past decades to achieve short-term financial gain and world support for its impoverished country. Their actions have worked. Of all the countries whose citizens and interests have been threatened, only Japan has really shown the willingness to stand up and say "No."

The world failed to stop a dangerous regime from acquiring nuclear weapons, and has shown an unwillingness to face the inevitable: there will be some type of showdown, and until it happens NK will not stop.

I am reminded of teaching children. They test you and test you, and if you do not establish limits they will continue to do so. North Korea has been acting, for all intents and purposes, like a big baby, but the potential stakes are, of course, much more serious.

NK is reported to be preparing to launch an ICBM. It has also been reported for most of the past year that Kim Jong-il is in ill health. It seems to me that he may be thinking about his "legacy", and one of the few options available to him (since he can't very well open up his numerous concentration camps and proclaim himdelf a 'liberator') is to make his mark on the world in a very violent way.

That is what is so scary. That and the fact that there is no real growth outlook for North Korea. They can't (as India) look to dominate the world through population and customer service, they don't have the potential of the potential (as China) of manipulating the U.S. financial market or hacking into its computer systems . . . they have no forward plan. Excuse the expression, but they are like Myanmar on steroids.

Living in South Korea is extremely safe on a daily basis; there is virtually no crime here, other than the white-collar variety (that did the former president in). Yet having a neighbor such as North Korea does certainly prey on one's mind.

For some additional insight, got to www.nationalgeographic.com and 'search' for "north korea".