More Nuclear News From the ROK

[Sierra Mike]

Gosh, more fun stuff from the Land of the Morning Calm...

Dec. 24 — South Korea’s president-elect appealed to Russia, China and Japan on Tuesday to help find a peaceful solution to a nuclear dispute with North Korea, as an official said the North might be preparing to reactivate a reactor. Meanwhile, the North’s defense minister ratcheted up Pyongyang’s belligerent rhetoric, saying his military would deal “merciless punishment” to the United States in the event of nuclear war.I'm unaware of any statements made by the US beyond Rummie's jag that we (America) can fight two regional conflicts simultaneously that would merit such an incredible explosion of hostility from the DPRK. I guess everything they agreed to is just a sham.

Read all about it at South Korea Appeals for Nuclear Solution (http://www.msnbc.com/news/850567.asp?vts=122420020610)

Or, as Kim Jong Il is likely to say, "Melly Chlistmas, Amerlican pig-dogs!"

SM

[bruzzes]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021225/ap_on_re_as/koreas_nuclear_28

They seem Hell-bent on forcing a confrontation as they have now ratcheted up the dialog.

It sounds so much like blackmail to me. Are they so desperate for those energy supplies from the US as to try and force the issue?
Are they taking advantage of our commitment to Iraq thinking we would be too busy there to do much about this action?

Why hasn't other countries use their leverage and diplomatic and economic ties to help prevent this possible non-proliferation violation?

[Biker]

Initially, I didn't give their posturing much thought. But as time goes on, I get a little more nervous with this one.This is beginning to smell a little bit like the wind up to Perl Harbor. If you recall, Japan also felt they were backed into a corner with the ongoing trade issues of the time.

[Sierra Mike]

Yeah, I'm not quite sure what game they're playing here...they can't win a military altercation, and it would only leave their country in complete shambles...not that it's far from that now.

Japan, at least, had a real plan. All the DPRK can hope for is total annihilation.

If they want the energy, the food, and the chance to break out of isolation, all they have to do is follow China's lead. But it appears the Dear Leader is either extremely stupid, or monumentally paranoid. Stalinism is all he can exist with, apparently.

SM