North Korea

[slugger]

I've never really paid much attention to North Korea headlines in thew news, but the nations actions in the last few days have grabbed my attention... that's probably what they're hoping for - a bit of attention.

Anyway, i've looked more into it, and i really can't understand how a nation can continue to survive living the way they do.

It makes me wonder if the general public of the country actually know what the rest of the world is like. Have they seen pictures, heard stories, do they even know it exists?

There's some amazing images on Flickr from people who have managed to photograph things the way they really are.

This is a satellite image of the country after 9pm when all electricity gets switched off (apart from wherever the leaders are)... and this is a population well over 20,000,000

Anyone ever been there, or got anything else to read about the country? I'm finding it really interesting.

 

[CrapHacker]

Anyone ever been there, or got anything else to read about the country? I'm finding it really interesting.

Apparently Spurs played footbal there once, and proudly quote that with their honours.

Peace Cup (Korea) Winners 2005

Only joking.

This situation has been brewing for a while now, and all the pontificating by USA, ourselves and others is all just a smokscreen for the fact that they knew this was coming, have been unable to do anything to prevent it, and really don't know what to do next.

If Bush was still in power, the solution would be obvious. But it'll be interesting to see what Obama does now.

I'm a little worried.

If I was in one of the bordering countries I'd be pooping myself.

 

[Sneds]

That photo is an absolute joke.

 

[The23rdman]

Anyone ever been there, or got anything else to read about the country? I'm finding it really interesting.

Apparently Spurs played footbal there once, and proudly quote that with their honours.

Peace Cup (Korea) Winners 2005

Only joking.

This situation has been brewing for a while now, and all the pontificating by USA, ourselves and others is all just a smokscreen for the fact that they knew this was coming, have been unable to do anything to prevent it, and really don't know what to do next.

If Bush was still in power, the solution would be obvious. But it'll be interesting to see what Obama does now.

I'm a little worried.

If I was in one of the bordering countries I'd be pooping myself.

The solution would be obvious? Are you kidding? Bush would in no way go into Korea. He knew, just as Obama does, that Korea ain't some tin-pot little regime who can be pushed around, but are a real threat and wouldn't think for very long before a retaliatory strike.

A peaceful solution is the only way this can end or we'll all be in the crapper.

 

[Parmo]

Well a dictatorship that can not feed its own people doesnt have the resources to wage a war let alone win it. I watched a program on NK once and there are people who risk their lives and watch videos or have radios, very interesting stuff.

 

[haplesshacker]

It's a job for the CIA I think. There has to be a military coop on the inside from some of the less hardline generals. I don't think it's a situation that the UN or any individual country can control. Not the USA or even China. Who have the cloest links with the NKs.

Mind you. Who's to say that he's not running his country correctly. Have you seen the mess the western so called democracies are in!!

The USA, Britain, the Russians etc. Were 'allowed' to develop nukes in the 40's and 50's. Surely this must have worried some nations. But what were they able to do about 'our' cold war?

Maybe it's sabre rattling. Maybe Kim Jon Ill or whatever his name is really does think he can reunite the North and South Koreas. Lets face it. The yanks, for all their techneological prowess, have lost in the jungles of SE Asia before (Korea and Nam).

Perhaps he also knows that with a democrat in power in the US, he knows that Obama won't be willing to commit yet more troops to another unpopular war. Bush was a different kettle of fish.

The west has it's own problems at the moment. And I can't see any one President or PM make the difficult and unpopular decission to send troops to Korea.

Apart from the earlier solution at the top of this thread, I really don't know what to suggest.

Perhaps special forces assination? Don't think that will work, as it will only add to the western hatred and add fuel to the fire. Nope. It has to be internal.

 

[USER1999]

The only solution is a strongly worded memo. All others are unworkable.

 

[dangermouse]

The only solution is a strongly worded memo. All others are unworkable.

there's no way the UN would want to go that far though. Maybe just a meeting about the possibilty of drafting a strongly worded memo would be enough to tell teh naughty boys off on this occasion...?

 

[Parmo]

Isnt there something like 4 million land mines dividing north and south?

Well thats what I learnt from Bond movies

 

[Dave3498]

Their military is all full of automatons. There's not free thinking person among them. Cut the head off, pull the plug and they are all dead.

 

[vig]

just nuke em!

Now where's that button?

 

[USER1999]

Sadly can't nuke them. Morally indefensible. Would have the do gooders out in force. Better to send them lots of aid, and prop up their rubbish dictatorship for another 20 years. That'll teach 'em.

 

[Basher]

Ignorance breeds fear.

The western world knows very little about NK. OK, they know the major population are oppressed automatons who blindly follow the leader.
As stated above, the only way to sort out the dictatorship would be to stage a coup internally.
I cannot imagine the western world contemplating involvement with the way the country is run, apart from expressing disapproval.

 

[madandra]

I watched some older folm of their forces marching and it reminded me of the folm Antz. They are all brainwashed machines.

 

[CrapHacker]

The solution would be obvious? Are you kidding? Bush would in no way go into Korea. He knew, just as Obama does, that Korea ain't some tin-pot little regime who can be pushed around, but are a real threat and wouldn't think for very long before a retaliatory strike.

A peaceful solution is the only way this can end or we'll all be in the crapper.

Interesting standpoint. I don't pretend to understand the politics behind this, but I can't imagine Bush and his xenophic advisors would have the sensibilities to worry about retaliation just yet.

The rockets that have been fired wouldn't reach US soil, so as long as the Yanks got in there quick and took out the Nuclear capability before the Koreans progress much further, then there should be little comeback.

Not saying that's the right way of thinking, but it's the way I'd imagine certain people would justify it.

 

[KeefG]

just nuke em!

Now where's that button?

I agree.....lets just make a nice big car park for South Korea, send over a few nukes and level the place

 

[slugger]

I wonder if they've heard of golf in NK?

 

[shanker]

I wonder if they've heard of golf in NK?

They have. There was a post on this board ages ago about Kim Jong Il, the NK leader. Apparently, he's a top golfer. Went round in 38 under par the first time he played and regularly has 2 or 3 holes in one in a round. He's also a boxer and has KOed Tyson and Ali. The NK people swallow all this guff.

 

[viscount17]

The only solution is a strongly worded memo. All others are unworkable.

and that one is entirely unworkable as it will never happen - it only needs one dissenting voice from the permanent security council members (Us, US, Russia, China and, I think, France) and nothing happens.

Anyway look how effective Chamberlain's 'note' was.

 

[CrapHacker]

Just send in Team America - world police.

Jobs a good 'un