Breakthrough in North Korea?

[knapplc]

We've seen steps toward concessions from the North Koreans before, only to see them fall back to hard-line stances. But with Kim Jong Il out of the picture and Kim Jong Un now in control, could this be a sign that the North Koreans are ready to seek peace? Here's hoping...

 

 

North Korea agrees to halt nuclear activities for food

 

 

 

Washington (CNN) -- North Korea has agreed to halt nuclear tests, long-range missile launches and enrichment activities at its Yongbyon nuclear complex in exchange for food aid from the United States, the State Department said Wednesday.

 

The state-run North Korean news agency, KCNA, announced the agreement separately.

 

"Today's announcement represents a modest first step in the right direction. We, of course, will be watching closely and judging North Korea's new leaders by their actions," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday before the House Appropriations Committee.

 

In return for the moratorium on nuclear activities at this key site, the United States has agreed to finalize a package of 240,000 metric tons of nutritional assistance to North Korea. There will be intensive monitoring to assure that the delivery is made to those in need and not diverted to the military or government elites, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement.

[Sub-Husker]

What is "peace" on the Korean peninsula?

 

The Norks are concerned about the US military on their border and the US Navy off their coasts. They have enough weapons to kill most South Koreans, and are blackmailing the South not to use then in exchange for food. As long as US troops remain in the South, they will continue to be aggressive.

 

Should the North government fall, the resulting refugee crisis would be a disaster for the South and for China. The South cannot afford the cost of reunification, should the North agree to it.

 

The Chinese will not permit US forces to be stationed in the North should it fall.

 

The only viable alternative for the South, the US and for China is to continue to pay food bribes.

[carlfense]

What is "peace" on the Korean peninsula?

 

The Norks are concerned about the US military on their border and the US Navy off their coasts. They have enough weapons to kill most South Koreans, and are blackmailing the South not to use then in exchange for food. As long as US troops remain in the South, they will continue to be aggressive.

 

Should the North government fall, the resulting refugee crisis would be a disaster for the South and for China. The South cannot afford the cost of reunification, should the North agree to it.

 

The Chinese will not permit US forces to be stationed in the North should it fall.

 

The only viable alternative for the South, the US and for China is to continue to pay food bribes.

What makes you think that North Korea would quit their militaristic posturing if the US leaves South Korea?

[Sub-Husker]

What is "peace" on the Korean peninsula?

 

The Norks are concerned about the US military on their border and the US Navy off their coasts. They have enough weapons to kill most South Koreans, and are blackmailing the South not to use then in exchange for food. As long as US troops remain in the South, they will continue to be aggressive.

 

Should the North government fall, the resulting refugee crisis would be a disaster for the South and for China. The South cannot afford the cost of reunification, should the North agree to it.

 

The Chinese will not permit US forces to be stationed in the North should it fall.

 

The only viable alternative for the South, the US and for China is to continue to pay food bribes.

 

What makes you think that North Korea would quit their militaristic posturing if the US leaves South Korea?

 

They have almost no ability to invade South Korea and occupy land, all they have is alot of artillery to shell cities.

[carlfense]

What makes you think that North Korea would quit their militaristic posturing if the US leaves South Korea?

 

They have almost no ability to invade South Korea and occupy land, all they have is alot of artillery to shell cities.

Other than a 1,000,000 man army with almost 100,000 special forces personnel?

[Sub-Husker]

What makes you think that North Korea would quit their militaristic posturing if the US leaves South Korea?

 

They have almost no ability to invade South Korea and occupy land, all they have is alot of artillery to shell cities.

 

Other than a 1,000,000 man army with almost 100,000 special forces personnel?

 

That sounds scary... but on paper only.

 

Seriously.

[carlfense]

What makes you think that North Korea would quit their militaristic posturing if the US leaves South Korea?

 

They have almost no ability to invade South Korea and occupy land, all they have is alot of artillery to shell cities.

 

Other than a 1,000,000 man army with almost 100,000 special forces personnel?

 

That sounds scary... but on paper only.

 

Seriously.

Agree to disagree, I guess. That much infantry with a peninsula that is 70% mountains to hide on? Not to mention a force that has been training for decades to infiltrate through tunnels, landing craft, and submarines? That's a battle that I'd rather not see fought.

[knapplc]

Other than a 1,000,000 man army with almost 100,000 special forces personnel?

 

That sounds scary... but on paper only.

 

Seriously.

 

A million-man army, no matter how poorly equipped, can make a hell of a mess and cost a lot of money and lives before it's contained. Pretending it's irrelevant is some major-league silliness.

 

Seoul is what? Ten miles from the border? Less? It makes a LOT of sense to keep a close eye on the N. Koreans.

[carlfense]

Other than a 1,000,000 man army with almost 100,000 special forces personnel?

 

That sounds scary... but on paper only.

 

Seriously.

 

A million-man army, no matter how poorly equipped, can make a hell of a mess and cost a lot of money and lives before it's contained. Pretending it's irrelevant is some major-league silliness.

 

Seoul is what? Ten miles from the border? Less? It makes a LOT of sense to keep a close eye on the N. Koreans.

Yikes. I hadn't even considered the possibility of urban fighting. Technology won't do the S. Koreans much good if the North Korean army can make it into Seoul. God, that'd be a nasty fight.

[Lyons in the Sea of Red.]

Other than a 1,000,000 man army with almost 100,000 special forces personnel?

 

That sounds scary... but on paper only.

 

Seriously.

 

A million-man army, no matter how poorly equipped, can make a hell of a mess and cost a lot of money and lives before it's contained. Pretending it's irrelevant is some major-league silliness.

 

Seoul is what? Ten miles from the border? Less? It makes a LOT of sense to keep a close eye on the N. Koreans.

Yikes. I hadn't even considered the possibility of urban fighting. Technology won't do the S. Koreans much good if the North Korean army can make it into Seoul. God, that'd be a nasty fight.

No sh#t. The effects that would have on the world as a whole would be nasty.

[VectorVictor]

A million-man army, no matter how poorly equipped, can make a hell of a mess and cost a lot of money and lives before it's contained. Pretending it's irrelevant is some major-league silliness.

 

Seoul is what? Ten miles from the border? Less? It makes a LOT of sense to keep a close eye on the N. Koreans.

 

Plus, let's not forget that this is a million-man army that is hungry. Even the military in North Korea is getting pared down rations because of their food shortages. The civilians are getting by on weeds and grass. To me, it seems this can make their army either extremely dangerous (in that they're willing to do anything for sustenance), or make them extremely open to surrender (so long as they get treated better than they are now).

 

On a related note, VICE.TV site has a nice multi-piece documentary on a journalist's trip into North Korea. Worth a look if you have an hour or so to kill.

[carlfense]

n a related note, VICE.TV site has a nice multi-piece documentary on a journalist's trip into North Korea. Worth a look if you have an hour or so to kill.

The VICE piece was excellent. Scary . . . but excellent.

[Sub-Husker]

Just because there is no American forces on the ground, that does not mean that we could not be there quickly with air and naval forces plus marines.

 

And the South Korean military is not too shabby in itself.

 

Even with American forces in South Korea, the Norks could still level Seoul anytime they wanted.

[carlfense]

A paper tiger military could level a city of ten million at will? Your definition of paper tiger must be different than my own.

[zoogs]

"Will halt nukes for food." Haha! First thing I thought of when I skimmed the article.