North Korea is confirming its identity as a nuclear state with each passing day (McLeish, 2007). This all started with Kim Jung-il, whose threats and existence was only known among the few who received threats but now his successor Kim Jun-Un is leading a ravishing threat with his name spread all around the world as the leader of the nuclear state (Nikitin, 2010). The latest being his nuclear threat to South Korean Peninsula.
North Korea is soon becoming connectionless as it has cut off nearly all bonds between them and other countries and setting the matter worse by an imminent attack on its neighborly brothers the South Koreans. They have declared merciless destruction of all their enemies and announcing its current position of being in a state of war.
It is an alarming situation that has caused fear amongst many states in particular the United States of America. They shut down the Kaesong Industrial Region, the only show of cooperation between them and the South that still remained. Repeatedly they have given threats to the Americans in South Korean border. The reason for concern this time round is that fact that they have carried out three nuclear tests, and they are also working to reopen a soviet-era nuclear plant. This nuclear plant is said to be capable of producing at least 32 nuclear powered weapons by 2016.
The United States and China are against North Korean’s plans of becoming a nuclear state, but they seem well bent on pursuing it all the same and threatening to take down any state that threatens the achievement of their interests (Bandow, 2013). Still not confirmed, but assigning a whole nations rule to young leader almost immediately out of adolescence is paramount to such actions. He struggles to satisfy dissatisfied generals by appearing to be strong and unopposed.
It is thus necessary to acknowledge that this reason alone is a call for crisis alert as; the North Korean leader has no real reason as to of taking the path that he has chosen. If the main aim is to show authority, then there is grave reason for alarm for the international body. As nuclear threat does not only affect a region but a vast region, and the damage is beyond reach.
The American policy making community believes that China holds the key to stopping the Pyongyang situation (Bandow, 2013). The main reason for such belief is that Beijing has been shadowing North Korea from sanctions by the United Nations body. They provide a majority of food and energy to North Korea and withdrawing these services would jeopardize the countries stability making it yields to pleas from other nations.
Yet China is reluctant and more so does not want to yield to American authority along its borders which would ascertain the fact of increasing power of the American government. North Korea threatening South Korea, America and Japan is threatening the stability of the People’s Republic of China which is clearly needs at this particular time. This can arise if Pyong yang decides to act like the North Koreans did by sinking a ship that belong to South Korean and bombarding its Island. America would be forced to retaliate waging a major war on the border of People’s Republic of China. China is trying to avoid such action which explains the reason for its safe play.
The United States of America has increased in bulk its defenses along the Korean Peninsula. This causes worry for China, as they fear the likelihood of America joining forces with South Korea in order to defend against North Korea. This would mean casualties on the Chinese border and an influx of refugees in to China. China is also worried about the unification of these two nations with the American government as it would mean a stronger unified American in its back yard (Rovnick, 2013).
The reason for their scare is that, putting North Korea in a tight spot would increase the refugee surge across the Yalu. It could also lead to violent conflict. The rest of the world specifically Australia, Japan and Philippines who are scared of China are looking towards Washington. This though shows how much power America is believed to posses even though the American army in South Korea is almost functionless.
Their initial intention was to protect the South, but the South which now trains all male citizens in the art of war is more prepared than any country for any imminent threat and the Gross Domestic Product which is forty times that of DPRK is an added advantage. Thus, the reluctance of Beijing to stop North Koreans is understandable, as the leader of the People’s Republic of China is undoubtedly ready to support in the toning down of North Korea. This will only to allow the surge of Washington’s authority into China’s border. Its defensive strategy is to stop America from coercing its reign into the Chinese neighborhood.
The American forces in Korea are a clear sign that the American government will thrust its rule into a portion of China extending its reign into the Asian region. Trust would be earned if first the United States government begins by returning its troops back home (Tongsin, 2003). After the Second World War and North Korea followed the communist movement of China which pushed their economy to rise faster than that of South Korea which was under the dictatorship rule. America aided South Korea with weapons, food and supplies. North Korea’s communist movement focused on the capital from the exploited working class. This led to failure in the economy as the resources depleted that saw North Korea suffer a famine that killed almost two million people. As currently reported by the world food program North Korea still suffers from malnutrition an average young adult from the South is taller than one from the North.
The American government continued to support the South ignoring the North which could be one the reasons for their hostility. The United States government still imposes sanctions and withholds food aid to North Korea for starting a nuclear technology. Around 40000 US troops are still in the South a show of continued support which has led to expansion in the industrial growth of this region and a strong working class that has ended the military rule.
North Korea’s hostility could be related to the lack of another communist state, one which led to its downfall and two the country still wants to exercise dependence. They therefore believe this can only be achieved if they reunite with the South under the communist movement. China, North Korea’s only ally shifted to an economic state and the South to a capitalist state left the North standing on its own thus shattered its stability (Salmon, 2010).
North Korea harbors a region which was previously used for nuclear testing. They are believed to currently be testing a nuclear weapon that could reach the United States. This is what mainly worries the US officials, what the extent of damage would be in the event that North Korean threats become a reality. The relations would be destroyed and it could very well lead to another world war thus, endangering other nation’s in this case innocent civilians. The threat should therefore not be a worry to only the American government; the effects of a nuclear war are vast and can spread through a wide region.
There is a belief amongst a majority of the nations calling North Korea’s threat a bluff. Some of the pledges by North Korea since the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council include ordering the frontline troops to cut the windpipe to cut the throats of their enemies. They have threatened the destruction of the South Korean island to nullify the 60 year old armistice that ended the Korean War. Their continued threat and no action give an indication that their threats could be empty (Fisher, 2013).
North Korea should be alert on the fact that an attack on America’s forces would lead to the complete destruction of their small forces regardless of the nuclear power they deploy. Many eyes are on are on Kim Jung –Un. His threats are likened to child’s tantrums. They are not only harmless, but a nuisance to be heard each day. However dry these threats are they should be considered and taken akin as they threaten harm to innocent civilians and could cause harm to the international peace (Fisher, 2013).
South Korea does not seem to worry about the situation with North Korea. The South government seemingly shows reluctance despite the latest actions by the North Korean government in destruction of a South Korean ship. Their reaction could be an indication that they are trying to show North Korea that they are not scared by their threats. This could be a show of stability and could ward off North’s attempt of attack on the Southern Peninsula.
At the moment, North Korea seems to be acting alone. China the ally to the North is starting to fall back because of the repercussions that will follow by siding with the North. America being known as the strongest nation, China is avoiding the mistake of making enemies with such a nation. Nonetheless, China is still siding with the North is so as to avoid the unification of the two Korean Peninsula’s which could mean a strong hold for the American government, posing a threat to China’s existence (Bandow, 2013).
North and South had at some point spoke of reunification. This was being foreseen by Washington where South Korea said it would take a fore front in ensuring close cooperation between the two sides. This would mean a totalitarian check into the threats posed by North Korean government and stop any chances of preventing the action from being put to action.
The reality on the ground is that no matter how dry the threats by North Korea it is highly advisable that they be taken seriously. They are trying to say something or portray something to the world. All other countries should consider this threat seriously and focus on a truce that will ensure both parties get what they deserve or want. It is highly unlikely that the North Korean president will back down on his threats (Tongsin, 2003). A wise move by any government would be to take precautions, exactly what the American government is doing.
Nuclear wars cause fear amongst many countries as the events are passed through to future generations. It could have a large effect in a very short time and cause more damage in range and effect. The last nuclear detonation in Hiroshima Japan led to the death of 200000mostly civilians due to severe acute injuries. Countries like France and Russia which were later persistent in the building of nuclear weapons led to the cold war. The hostility of India and Pakistan also led to these countries developing nuclear weapons. Otherwise most countries keep such projects under wraps away from the public eye.
The fall of the soviet brought some peace to the world as it was an indication that there was going to be a decline in the creation of nuclear weapons. Thus, North Korea’s threat is not just causing fear to its enemies but to the world at large. There is a worry in all the governments of all the countries in the world. No country should be allowed to test nuclear weapons and North Korea pursuing this is an indication that they are not inclined to follow rules set by the international community. It could have a large effect in a very short time and cause more damage in range and effect.
References
Bandow, Doug. (23 April 2013). “Lessons for the US: China Won’t Work Against Itself in Korea.” CHINA & US focus. Retrieved 2 May 2013 from http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/lessons-us-china-wont-work-against-itself-korea
Fisher, M. (12 march 2013). “Why North Korea loves to threaten World War III.(but probably won’t follow through).”World Views. Retrieved 2 May 2013 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/03/12/why-north-korea-loves-to-threaten-world-war-iii-but-probably-wont-follow-through/
Rovnick Naomi. China, North Korea’s only friend is getting uncomfortable with its renegade neighbor. QUARTZ. April5, 2013. Retrieved from http://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-north-korea-only-friend-102822296.html
Tongsin, Y. (2003). North Korea handbook. Seoul; M.E. Sharpe.
McLeish, E. (2007). Nuclear Power: The Pros and Cons. New York: Rosen Central.
Nikitin M, B. (2010). North Korea's Nuclear Weapons: Technical Issues. Darby: DIANE publishing.
