Official Korean conflict thread

[happyone]

When the military was stationed there it was in the 1950's and all those T-55's and mid century Soviet imported artillery pieces were a threat. 50+ years later they still have the same arsenal. My guess is that if the SK's unleashed the fury they could decimate NK and blow those rice eaters back to the Stone Age! However, the China's involvement is something I think should concern us and probably the SK.

My personal opinion - If the ROKs sit and wait it will be a close run thing for a couple of days, esp if the North can get tactical surprise. Mainly because a 152mm arty round is still a 152mm arty round even if it is out of a 50 year old tube. The North might even be able to take Seoul for a few days. I don't think there is any way hell they would have the success they had in 1950.

If we let the ROKs loose and they go north around the DMZ, it would be over very quickly unless China came in on the side of the North.

[Katy Lied]

Where's the tipping point though? I realize that the average NK citizen lives the same as he has for centuries with few modern conveniences but information still permeates the region so how much longer can Il think he can isolate his people without them just doing SK's work for them by revolting? Also, is China really the same type of deterent it was 60 years ago? Who's to say the China isn't finally tired of Il's saber rattling?

China is protecting NorKor. There wont be any kind of resolution out of the UN Security Committee.

I think the avg NK really is in the dark ages, and easy to dictate over. It is one thing to try and stifle thought in China where every urban family has a computer and internet access. It is another thing altogether to stifle dissent in NorKor where no one privately owns a computer.

[YOhio]

Interesting WSJ article on the North Korean World Cup Soccer jerseys. Even buying something as simple as a national team soccer jersey is done in secrecy.

Global athletic events are always fascinating to me, especially when we get to see athletes from isolated countries participate. I've always wondered what the North Korean or other oppressed nation athlete thinks when he or she sees the wealth and luxury of other countries. Do they realize what the rest of world has that they don't? Do they come home and tell their families about it? Are they allowed to hang out with athletes from other countries or are they constantly chaperoned by their coaches to ensure they don't bolt?

[frank ryan]

Interesting WSJ article on the North Korean World Cup Soccer jerseys. Even buying something as simple as a national team soccer jersey is done in secrecy.

Global athletic events are always fascinating to me, especially when we get to see athletes from isolated countries participate. I've always wondered what the North Korean or other oppressed nation athlete thinks when he or she sees the wealth and luxury of other countries. Do they realize what the rest of world has that they don't? Do they come home and tell their families about it? Are they allowed to hang out with athletes from other countries or are they constantly chaperoned by their coaches to ensure they don't bolt?

A buddy of mine spent a few years studying chinese at a university over there. He made friends with some of the students who were south korean. One time he was he was with them when they came across some n koreans. They could tell they were north koreans because of dialect. The north koreans would interact or respond to greetings. I suspect they were accompanied by minders.

[Katy Lied]

A buddy of mine spent a few years studying chinese at a university over there.

Where?

[frank ryan]

Where?

Shanghi

[DapperDan]

It's not much, but at least China is giving themselves some wiggle room away from NK.


China "will not protect" whoever sank a South Korean warship in March, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asi...c/10181527.stm