Korea - not going to end well

[Tank]

The next war for the US ???

The United States warned North Korea of “consequences” yesterday for its “clear act of aggression” after an international investigation blamed Pyongyang for the sinking of a South Korean warship, with the loss of 46 lives, in March.

The news brought worldwide condemnation of Pyongyang — prompting furious denials and threats of “all-out war” against the South if it sought retaliation.

Robert Gates, the US Secretary of Defence, warned that Washington was examining various options put forward by Seoul to punish North Korea. A State Department spokesman told reporters that North Korea “must recognise that provocative actions will not be tolerated”.

Under a mutual defence treaty signed at the end of the Korean War, the US is obliged to defend South Korea against external aggression.

conts ....


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7132500.ece

This could end up really bad. (especially if you live in Korea)

[SMOKEU]

Those North Koreans are going to get their sorry asses blown up sooner, rather than later.

[Coldrider]

It will make better viewing on wide screen tellies, the Haliburtons et al will have to have their contracts signed up first though.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Those North Koreans are going to get their sorry asses blown up sooner, rather than later.

the problem being a massively unstable leadership, and nucular* weapons.




*seriously, who THE FUCK came up with that? and now GWB is out, retards are still using it. GAH!!!

[SMOKEU]

the problem being a massively unstable leadership, and nucular* weapons.




*seriously, who THE FUCK came up with that? and now GWB is out, retards are still using it. GAH!!!

I can imagine this as being a repeat of what we have already seen in Iraq and Afghanistan, except the Koreans have weapons of mass destruction readily available, whereas the Arab terrorists don't.

[mashman]

The Final Cut

Brezhnev took Afghanistan.
Begin took Beirut.
Galtieri took the Union Jack.
And Maggie, over lunch one day,
Took a cruiser with all hands.
Apparently, to make him give it back.

[Ferkletastic]

Kim Jong Il has promised to make Seoul a smoking crater. It's scary because he's got the means to make good on his promise by all accounts.

Hopefully it's just Kim blowing smoke as usual.

[Tank]

So the US of A come to the rescue of South Korea

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then who is the biggest fan of the North? Hint :(China is North Korea's most important ally, biggest trading partner, and main source of food, arms, and fuel.)

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[Swoop]

then who is the biggest fan of the North? Hint :(China is North Korea's most important ally, biggest trading partner, and main source of food, arms, and fuel.)
China has recently had a meeting with the northern loonies. They are worried about the influx of starving koreans (people do know about the state of the populace?) and the possibility that the collapse could be an open door for the west. China no-likee-likee that idea.

If only people knew the rest of what was happening in North Korea.

[rainman]

Those North Koreans are going to get their sorry asses blown up sooner, rather than later.

I do have a rather strong pacifist tendency, in general, but confess I would not mourn the passing of Kim Jong Il one tiny bit. Question is, assuming a suitable surgical "arrangement" could be made, who would take over? Would the lot of the millions suffering there every day improve quickly?

Besides, I doubt China would be happy with a US-type invasion of NK. Too close to home.


If only people knew the rest of what was happening in North Korea.

I believe it's pretty fucked up. Recently read a book called The Ginseng Hunter. A bit artmovie style, but quite a poignant depiction of the horrors involved.

[Toaster]

Can I go can I go can I go?

[R6_kid]

Better sell your shares in Hyosung!

[davereid]

Can I go can I go can I go?

They just put beer up... they said it was because glass had got more expensive. Lets NUKE North Korea, then we can MINE all the glass, and beer will get cheaper...

[Toaster]

They just put beer up... they said it was because glass had got more expensive. Lets NUKE North Korea, then we can MINE all the glass, and beer will get cheaper...

An excellent policy for a happier New Zealand. We just need someone else to rely on to provide an armed forces to take the job on.

[SMOKEU]

An excellent policy for a happier New Zealand. We just need someone else to rely on to provide an armed forces to take the job on.

I'm sure the Americans have already got that one sorted.

[Toaster]

I'm sure the Americans have already got that one sorted.

I call it conflict engineering.

[rainman]

and beer will get cheaper...

... and glow in the dark...

[Hans]

Can I go can I go can I go?

Don't you have kids? Best leave it to us childless folk. This would be war number three for me. I could use a bit of action, cause I'm feeling a bit rusty. The downside is that there's no ragheads involved.

[Elysium]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cPb45tzgdQ&feature=related

[Gubb]

Omigod omigod omigod.

Where was that thread started by Dean about his future predictions for WWIII?

[Dave Lobster]

What has China to fear from the US? Doesn't it own the US now?

[EJK]

Chinese bought the Hummer company last year yeah?


This is interesting.

[Toaster]

Don't you have kids? Best leave it to us childless folk.

Can't let you have all the fun by yourself mate.

[Indiana_Jones]

The next war for the US ???


What?

When did the Korean war end?

-Indy

[Ocean1]

China is North Korea's most important ally, biggest trading partner, and main source of food, arms, and fuel.

Indeed. I seem to recall a wee snippet about the Chinese army being the second largest employer in the world.

Next to the Indian railways.

[Laava]

Don't you have kids? Best leave it to us childless folk. This would be war number three for me. I could use a bit of action, cause I'm feeling a bit rusty. The downside is that there's no ragheads involved.

Can get you some seppos tho!

[doc]

It will make better viewing on wide screen tellies, the Haliburtons et al will have to have their contracts signed up first though.

Speilberg and Hanks are preparing the scripts now for their next one too. :shit: 3D should be out just in time.

[Pussy]

What?

When did the Korean war end?

-Indy
VERY good point... it hasn't officially ended

[Hitcher]

the problem being a massively unstable leadership, and nucular* weapons.

The "problem" is where the People's Republic of China stands on this matter. If the Chinese leave the North Koreans to fend for themselves, any military conflict will be over by lunchtime. If China stands with North Korea, as it did in the 1950s UN Police Action, different story. Massively different story.

[Pedrostt500]

The "problem" is where the People's Republic of China stands on this matter. If the Chinese leave the North Koreans to fend for themselves, any military conflict will be over by lunchtime. If China stands with North Korea, as it did in the 1950s UN Police Action, different story. Massively different story.

Though would the Modern China that needs to sell its consumer goods to the west want to cut its nose off to support a bad hair do, How about a senario though rather a streatched one that says the Chinese sort out the North Koreans, and the Soviets turn a blind eye, as they need to sell their gas and oil to western Europe, and Europe needs Russian Gas and oil.

[doc]

The "problem" is where the People's Republic of China stands on this matter. If the Chinese leave the North Koreans to fend for themselves, any military conflict will be over by lunchtime. If China stands with North Korea, as it did in the 1950s UN Police Action, different story. Massively different story.

Would 1080 help ?

[Pixie]

Huntington's chorea never ends well

[Hitcher]

Huntington's chorea never ends well

As my ex-Uncle could attest.

[Street Gerbil]

Back to the original subj. nothing will happen whatsoever. The only player who can push N. Korea sufficiently is USA, but current administration won't dare because China support NK and Chinese own the US debt.

[Hans]

The WATCHCON level has now been raised to 2. Bad juju.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WATCHCON

[Hitcher]

The only player who can push N. Korea sufficiently is USA

Don't underestimate the resolve of either the South Koreans or the Japanese.

[davereid]

Don't underestimate the resolve of either the South Koreans or the Japanese.

This may be the tipping point for Japan's Domestic Defence Force to re-equip militarily.

Or to be more precise, to change Japanese policy to allow it to be involved in a war that is not directly for self defence within its own territory.

While China flexes its muscles, the US remains its biggest customer, and the US is still the biggest, if somewhat aging and overweight man on the street. The US is still more important to China than China is to the US.

[Swoop]

This may be the tipping point for Japan's Domestic Defence Force to re-equip militarily.
You do realise that Japan has built the first of two aircraft carriers? These are the first since their last one went to the bottom during WW2. This is against their own laws, but they are calling it a "helicopter carrier" class of vessel to get around that small issue.

[spacemonkey]

Best bit of analysis I've read on it so far is by a fella I used to do Surf rescue with.....
http://www.kiwipolitico.com/2010/05/dissecting-north-korean-madness/

While lacking the fun factor for the hardliners of a shoot the shit outta the buggers approach, financially for the south Koreans to win would be a bit of an own goal as then they'd be the ones stuck with looking after 20 million starvin NK's.

[Hitcher]

Or to be more precise, to change Japanese policy to allow it to be involved in a war that is not directly for self defence within its own territory.

Any act of aggression by Japan against North Korea would be solely for "self defence within its own territory". Open Google Maps. Have a look and see where Japan is in relation to North Korea if you don't believe me.

[Elysium]

Can't wait till South Korea cranks this babay up again.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/81/250309583_12750f2c7a.jpg

[spacemonkey]

What the fuck is that????????

[peasea]

What the fuck is that????????

Looks like a dusty wine cellar.

[Elysium]

That my friends is part of South Koreas anti North Korea propaganda system stationed in the DMZ. That thing blasts anti North Korean music, speechs, tells the north how great the south is etc...

[peasea]

That my friends is part of South Koreas anti North Korea propaganda system stationed in the DMZ. That thing blasts anti North Korean music, speechs, tells the north how great the south is etc...

Well, how about the powers that be hand all the transcripts of all the problems that North and South Korea have to the writers of South Park and get a new script for reading over that lovely PA system. Then let the DMZ 'have it' at full volume. Peace will follow shortly thereafter, I'm sure.

[Jonathan]

tells the north how great the south is etc...

Bet the part that pisses off the North Koreans the most is that it is true. If the North blasted the same stuff back the South would just laugh at them.

Listen up you guys in the south, don't you wish you were ruled by a demented midget and have to eat the bark off trees to survive. We do and we are awesome!

[Tank]

Can't wait till South Korea cranks this babay up again.


Reading the papers - they have started it up again already. One set of those either side of my telly would be seriously cool.

[Madmax]

Reading the papers - they have started it up again already. One set of those either side of my telly would be seriously cool.
you would probably cease to exist

[davebullet]

South / North Korea.... which one is the Confederates / Yankees?

[Fatt Max]

It's all very worrying this North / South Korea business. I mean, where the fuck are my ultra cheap 'Girl-on-Girl' and 'Girl-on-Donkey' DVD's going to come from now.

And, who else are we gping to laugh at during episodes of Border Patrol when they nick some Korean bloke with 3kg of fresh produce in his luggage and he proclaims to speaky no Engirsh when, if you look closely, the dodgy little fucker has a copy of Time Magazine in his jacket pocket.

And, who else are we going to laugh at outside the AA Centre watching them bunny hop the car down the road for their driving test.

And, who else are we going to laugh at........generally.........

So come on North / South Korean people, bury the hatchet, spread the love and be nice. You are so fucking funny to watch and we need some fun in this world.

[Madmax]

you would probably cease to exist

AUXETOPHONE TECHNOLOGY TODAY.
Surprisingly, it's important. Very important, in its specialised field. We probably wouldn't have got to the moon without it. Compressed air modulated by valves is used to generate enormous sound levels in test chambers.

The machine can generate a Sound Pressure Level of 165 dB from an air supply at 120 psi. The air is modulated by a servo-driven reciprocating poppet valve that sounds as though it is the direct descendant of Parson's comb-valve.

To put this in perspective, 130 dB SPL causes instant hearing damage. About the only thing in the world that generates such extreme levels as 165 dB is a rocket engine at close quarters- and that is exactly what these noise generators are used for- testing rockets and jet aircraft to make sure they can withstand the noise of their own engines.

Sometimes it is Rocket Science.

[Swoop]

SO. Kimmy has handed control over... possibly!


In a session of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, Choe Yong-rim is appointed Premier, replacing Kim Yong-il; Chang Sung-taek is appointed Vice Chairman of the National Defence Commission.

[Swoop]

Intel dump:

June 7: Despite the angry rhetoric coming from North Korean officials and media, North Korea is not mobilizing for war. That's mainly because North Korea has not got the resources to mobilize for much of anything. Shortages of food, fuel and just about everything else, continue, and get worse. Inside North Korea, Communist Party members are being told that the party line is that the sinking of the Cheonan was fabricated by South Korea and the United States, to make North Korea look bad. Some South Koreans have latched onto this and are blaming the United States for sinking the Cheonan, and the South Korean government for fabricating a cover up. But these pro-North Korean groups are having a harder time attracting and keeping members, because so much more damning evidence of the truth is getting out of North Korea. Not just from refugees and Chinese who do business there, but from things like Google Earth, that clearly show the luxury housing of the tiny ruling class, and the poverty of everyone else (as well as the prison camps.)
North Korean military officials are enthusiastic about war, having absorbed their own propaganda that the South Korean and American military are ineffective and that a war would bring quick victory for the north. But government officials, especially those running the economy, see war as disastrous, and likely to end communist rule (and any semblance of order) in the north.

The defiant attitude of the north, and its potential to unleash a missile and rocket bombardment on South Korean urban areas, makes it impossible to punish North Korea, or bring to justice those responsible for sinking the South Korean ship and killing 46 sailors. China and Russia, while quietly admitting that North Korea was responsible, refuse to openly condemn the unpredictable North Koreans.

North Korea has been issuing new identity cards, that work with a new, computerized data system. The new cards make it easier to find out who has fled the country. While this was supposed to result in discouraging running to China or South Korea, it has more often turned into another opportunity for the security forces to get rich. When the secret police find a family with a "missing" relative, they will accept a bribe to move on and check on another family. Generally, the police state up north is growing weaker, as more of its security personnel are corrupted. Several anti-corruption campaigns have had limited impact. As more luxury goods leak in from China, there's more neat stuff corrupt officials can buy, in addition to more food and sex (setting up a mistress is a favorite way to spend some of your bribes.)

June 5: South Korea announced that it would not go to war with North Korea over the Cheonan incident, but that there would be consequences for North Korea.

June 4: South Korea has formerly asked the UN to investigate the sinking of the Cheonan. Russia and China have indicated that they will block any action (via their veto on the security council.) North Korea responded by threatening war, as it has done hundreds of times in the last sixty years. The threat has lost its shock value.

June 2: While the U.S. and South Korea have cut all aid to North Korea, the UN is going ahead with $170 million in health and education programs in North Korea. These programs are allowed in North Korea because the government takes credit for them, and obtains a lot of foreign currency (by charging the UN disproportionate fees for goods and services obtained inside North Korea). These are, in effect, bribes, to allow UN aid organizations to operate inside the north..

June 1: South Korea and the U.S. are going to hold more military exercises together, and increase efforts to monitor North Korean forces, and especially to improve anti-submarine capabilities. This last item is difficult. A slow moving mini-sub, of the type that sank the Cheonan, is very difficult to find when it is operating in shallow coastal waters. Thus, most of the U.S.-South Korea naval exercises will take place in deep water, putting any North Korean subs tempted to sink another warship, at greater risk of detection and destruction. That is one change that no one likes to speak about. Both the U.S. and South Korea have told their troops to take no chances, and to sink any suspicious subs, or surface ships, that approach. This would probably not trigger a larger North Korean attack across the DMZ, because such an attack would, ultimately, be suicidal for the tiny ruling class up north. There's a lot of bluff coming from the north. But, at the same time, the leadership up there have long been out of contact with reality, and prone to aggressive and murderous actions. The sinking of the Cheonan was just another of these terrorist acts. It's been going on for over sixty years, and is a hard habit to break.

May 29: China has quietly informed South Korea that it will not openly censure North Korea for sinking the Cheonan, but will chastise the northern leadership in private. Most importantly, China will tell the northerners that they can no longer depend on automatic Chinese support if there is another war with the south. If true, this is a serious punishment, since North Korea always relied on Chinese backup. Without it, North Korea is likely to lose any all-out war with the better armed south.

May 28: South Korea has canceled leaves (vacation time) for military personnel and put units on the DMZ on a higher degree of alert.

May 27: A new UN report on North Korean gunrunning accuses the north of supplying Myanmar (Burma) with nuclear weapons technology. Meanwhile, North Korea warned the south, and anyone else, that ships entering North Korean waters (including those that both the north and south claim) can expect to be attacked.

May 24: South Korea's official reprisals against the north, for the sinking of the Cheonan, consist mostly of cutting diplomatic and economic ties, including all aid programs. The north responded by cancelling previous non-binding ("feel good") agreements, like the one where both nations pledged not to attack each other. The cuts in trade hurt a lot, because North Korea foreign trade has been declining for the last two years (because of their economic collapse) anyway. But it's believed most of this foreign trade, which provided access to foreign currency (and the ability to buy foreign goods) only benefitted the ruling class and security forces (who need foreign currency to buy cell phone jammers and the like.)

May 21: A female refugee from North Korea was arrested and charged with being a North Korean spy. The south as been finding more of these agents, especially since arriving refugees have been subjected to greater scrutiny.

May 20: South Korea has officially accused North Korea of sinking the Cheonan, and is now seeking punishment of the north for this act of aggression.

May 18: South Korea froze all aid programs for the north.