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Change At Top In North Korea
Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:51 pm
by bennett123
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16250499
Any thoughts on how his death will affect the military balance or the nuclear balance on the Korean peninsula.
RE: Change At Top In North Korea
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:25 am
by ebj1248650
Remains to be seen what the new leadership has in mind. I have to wonder how The People's Republic of China is reacting to the change. What are their concerns, as they are the super power in the region?
RE: Change At Top In North Korea
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:35 am
by tommytoyz
Nothing much. North Korea, at some point in history will open up and join the league of nations that trade with each other...maybe slowly like Cuba is doing. Until then, I doubt they even have enough bullets for their soldiers to fight a conflict. Just like all recent strongmen, it's much more bark than bite.
The reason why "only" 1 million N.Koreans died of hunger during their famine, was because of China. Without political cover by China, N. Korea would have been long gone.
All IMHO
RE: Change At Top In North Korea
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:26 am
by bennett123
As you say, China is the key or perhaps Albania.
Whilst they will clearly be strongly "influenced" by China, which could suggest rapid change, it does seem to be a very closed state.
Presenting the concept of interaction with the outside is going to be a major issue.
Especially, given how they are going to explain the famine when their people see that countries with famines tend to get outside help. The question will be "Why did no one help us?".
RE: Change At Top In North Korea
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:23 am
by ebj1248650
You would think that, in the face of something as serious as famine, national leadership would humbly bow to any offer of assistance. Once the crisis is over, they could return to their "normal" ways.
I have to wonder just how much influence the Peoples Republic of China actually has over North Korea. I see China as the super power of the region but have to wonder if they see themselves in the same light.