Korea. Am I the only one worried?

[OriginalWheelman]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asi...1.stm

"All the agreed points concerning the issue of putting an end to the political and military confrontation between the North and the South will be nullified," the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said.

...

The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says some analysts believe that Pyongyang is trying to build up tensions with the South in order to give itself more negotiating power with the new US administration.

A more pessimistic analysis suggests that the rising tension does raise the possibility of small-scale military clashes, says our correspondent.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asi...1.stm

North Korea has recently completed the deployment of new medium-range missiles capable of reaching more parts of Asia, South Korea says.

The communist nation also bolstered its special forces and its navy, a Ministry of Defence white paper said.

North Korea and its 1.19 million troops constituted a "direct and serious threat", the report said.

The white paper comes amid speculation that Pyongyang could be planning to test-fire a new long-range missile.

It also comes amid heightened tension between the two Koreas, over South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak's decision to link economic aid to progress on denuclearisation.

Observers believe Pyongyang could test-fire its Taepodong-2 missile in a bid to improve its bargaining power with the new US administration over the stalled aid-for-disarmament deal.

While I agree this may just be a attempt at a bargaining chip, doesn't this require some attention? US Troops are still operating in Korea. What do we do if it breaks out into war?

[Jacko3]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asi...1.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asi...1.stm

While I agree this may just be a attempt at a bargaining chip, doesn't this require some attention? US Troops are still operating in Korea. What do we do if it breaks out into war?

Great Concerns. However, judging form recent intelligence, it would appear that North Korea's current capabilities are only limited to their level of coordination and organization in the upper echelons of their nation. It seems Kim Jon Ill is sick and that there is some power struggle going on in N.Korea in the event of his death.

My suspicion is that N.Korea will first fall into an internal semi-civil war before they ever consider attacking S.Korea on a serious basis. And that civil war will pit those who want to remain communist with those who want to integrate with S. Korea, for a larger Korean nation. This is what I suspect is going on, and this is what i suspect will occur. I could be wrong, but I doubt the reality is too far from this stance

[wawazat8402]

Im not very well read on this subject, so anyone feel free to enlighten me. Based on these articles as well as a few others, it seems that Kim Jong Il is upset because South Korea has added stipulations to their aid. I see this as a tantrum being thrown by a spoiled little kid when he cant get his allowance until he cleans his room.

I think we should be very concerned about how this pans out because the world is in a sensitive spot. With the global economy in a lull it is even more difficult to rally countries to a common cause. Also, we have our hands full with Iraq and Afghanistan. Do we have the manpower to even consider emergency response to a military engagement between the Koreas? Im concerned that we are spread a little thin and resources are becoming more scarce to support an appropriate response should Kim Jong not be bluffing.

[480sx]

The little communist has a prime opportunity. The US military is stretched so thin, that if he were so inclined, he could potentially take S. Korea. How this would be viewed or reacted to by the international community, i havnt a clue. I would imagine it would be a suicide mission, i have to believe that the international community would step in and do something but, there are no guarantees.

Do you honestly think that the American people would support another war at this point? He has to know this. While we have duties to our allies.. Idk, its a logistical and political nightmare to think about.

N. Korea has nothing but a half assed military. Seriously, thats all they have. However, as far as a 3rd world country goes, they have one hell of a military. Their economy is in shambles, the country is falling apart. Desperate times can sometimes lead to desperate measures. With the oppressive dictatorship that he leads, its possible that he could rally support for a war and make one happen.

This is all just speculation, this thread got me thinking is all. Idk im on the fence as far as to worry about it or not, i cant see that attacking S. Korea would be in N. Koreas best interests. The land grab would never stand, the country would be branded as enemies of the US and England(at least), and that historically never a good thing.

s***, and i thought WW3 would start in the middle east. Goooooo N. Korea! Lol i dont think they have any allies at all after their missiles near China foolishness, so i doubt theres much really to worry about at all.

[WDRacing]

In order for NK to take SK they would need to be backed by China. China will not back NK and go against the US. At Least not in the current World eco crisis. NK is extremely behind the times and China knows it. All they have is rice and men...seriously.

The guys over there are prepped for invasion. I was there for 2 years, we drill often...we're informed and we have plans laid out.

The real threat is that Seoul will be destroyed, cause it will. It will end there, but that alone will cause severe loss of life.

Besides, our current salesman...I mean POTUS, will negotiate something before things get ugly.

[HashiriyaS14]

North Korea wants nuclear arms so that they can negotiate better deals in regards to international aid, trade preferences, etc.

They just want leverage. If their ultimate aim was just to incinerate Seoul, they'd have done that already. They've had the capability for a long time now.

It's not like they're going to shoot nukes at Anchorage or some damn fool thing, they just want a better bargaining position with the United States, China, and others.

[WDRacing]

I dunno bro...they could be aiming for Alaska right now