North Korea: Threat or Blackmailer?

Ex-N.Korea spy says Kim struggling to control military | Bangkok Post: news (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/344855/ex-n-korea-spy-says-kim-struggling-to-control-military)


Interesting view from a former NK spy.


Would we use nuclear weapons if they invaded SK?

Not going to happen. Even if NK had a nuclear weapon and used it, we still probably would not retaliate with a nuke. Why? Well, the fact that China is sitting right next to it is a large reason. You can't predict how radiation clouds will move due to mother nature and if China got flooded with a radiation cloud, you can bet they would be more than pissed. We would too.

You put no stock in any threat of tunnels under the DMZ? Some of the 4 we found would allow for some pretty serious troop movement.

I didnt know about the tunnels. I would imagine that, after they were found, the SK openings are guarded and rigged to explode.

I say flood the tunnels with water and fill them with sharks with frikkin laser beams on their heads.

I didnt know about the tunnels. I would imagine that, after they were found, the SK openings are guarded and rigged to explode.

I say flood the tunnels with water and fill them with sharks with frikkin laser beams on their heads.

The 4 that have been found were obviously made not usable, I know one was turned into a tourist attraction.

Don't know that it is true (didn't look into it too deeply) but it is said that there are over 2Million landmines in the DMZ. The DMZ is 4km wide along the whole Demarcation Line. That's a helluva lot of landmines!!!

Ok, new fodder for the conspiracy theorist in me.

Pentagon: NKorea could launch nuclear missile (http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-nkorea-could-launch-nuclear-missile-183109878--politics.html)

So, we are supposed to believe, that one line out of a whole document was "accidentally" declassified, right as NK has 2 confirmed (and rumored up to 5) midrange missiles prepped on the launch pad? All the while we've been told that they don't have the ability to launch nuclear warheads. My guess is the admin is trying to prep us for when launches a nuke into the pacific. I am finally starting to believe that the administration is ahead of this now, and it will de-escalate after the North launches their missiles (yes I think they will launch 2). It will of course present a whole new nightmare as the North is officially admitted as a nuclear power. Will the South want their own nukes? What about Japan, how will they feel living in the shadow of a NK with the ability to hit them with nuclear missiles? Will China reverse course and try to remove UN Sanctions claiming they are excessive now that NK is a member of the nuclear club.

Further, what leverage does that give to Iran, or anyone else wanting entry into the nuclear club. Does it send the message that if you just keep pursuing them the world will grudgingly accept you once you get them (I would say that that is a given).

Is a US preemptive strike on the NK nuclear facilities even in the realm of possibility to prevent NK from making more weapons?

Am I the only one that just realized the UN Secretary General is a South Korean?

I don't know what that means, but I assume that it means North Korea is unlikely to respect any UN resolutions.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/561213_10151403496864150_2072923672_n.jpg

North Korea really does hate Japan (rightly so if you go back to the 1940's)

North Korea reportedly warns Japan it would target Tokyo first | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/04/12/north-korea-reportedly-warns-japan-to-be-first-target-over-order-to-destroy/)

Seriously, NK is one broke country. From US News (http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/rick-newman/2013/04/12/heres-how-lousy-life-is-in-north-korea):

– Annual GDP per capita is about $1,800, which ranks 197th in the world, according to the CIA World Factbook. GDP is 28 times higher in the United States and 18 times higher in South Korea.

– Most workers earn $2 to $3 per month in pay from the government. Some work on the side or sell goods in local markets, earning an extra $10 per month or so.
honestly $3 a month? that's half a fast food meal, about a gallon of milk. I can't imagine living on that. At least it wouldn't be called living.
There are other standout things, but it's just crazy poor.

Rape of Nanking (http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/nanking.htm)

Yes, the Japanese were rivals to Nazi Germany for international crimes but it is now ugly history. The current Japanese shouldn't be held responsible.