Comments on: What the hell is happening in NK? http://www.mutantfrog.com/2009/03/10/what-the-hell-is-happening-in-nk/ Photos, Stories and articles on East Asia Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:54:22 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Robert http://www.mutantfrog.com/2009/03/10/what-the-hell-is-happening-in-nk/comment-page-1/#comment-345620 Robert Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:36:32 +0000 http://www.mutantfrog.com/?p=3434#comment-345620 Frankly, not many. We --- and I guess after 11 years here, count me into the "we" --- have been hearing and dealing with it for so long we're desensitized to it all, and besides, North Korea talks SO much that now, it just goes in one ear and out the other. The people who probably get most upset by it are the economic ministries and financial workers... but only because foreign investors react sensitively to North Korea news. Now, that's not to say something won't happen --- the ROK Ministry of Defense seems concerned the North might try something soon, which is why they're talking smack to the JoongAng Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, etc. I can also say that North Korea is getting a little frustrated that their normal antics haven't generated the expected response, at least from Seoul, so I can see them upping their game, and sure, attacking South Korean naval vessels wouldn't be unprecedented. It would get people's attention, and that's what they really want, but like I said, it might also attract the attention of the ROKAF's shiny new fleet of F-15Ks. If Seoul starts launching air raids on North Korean targets, does Pyongyang just eat the shit burger or does it escalate? I couldn't say, and that's what spooks me a bit. Frankly, not many. We—- and I guess after 11 years here, count me into the “we”—- have been hearing and dealing with it for so long we’re desensitized to it all, and besides, North Korea talks SO much that now, it just goes in one ear and out the other. The people who probably get most upset by it are the economic ministries and financial workers… but only because foreign investors react sensitively to North Korea news.

Now, that’s not to say something won’t happen—- the ROK Ministry of Defense seems concerned the North might try something soon, which is why they’re talking smack to the JoongAng Ilbo, Segye Ilbo, etc. I can also say that North Korea is getting a little frustrated that their normal antics haven’t generated the expected response, at least from Seoul, so I can see them upping their game, and sure, attacking South Korean naval vessels wouldn’t be unprecedented. It would get people’s attention, and that’s what they really want, but like I said, it might also attract the attention of the ROKAF’s shiny new fleet of F-15Ks. If Seoul starts launching air raids on North Korean targets, does Pyongyang just eat the shit burger or does it escalate? I couldn’t say, and that’s what spooks me a bit.

]]> By: Roy Berman http://www.mutantfrog.com/2009/03/10/what-the-hell-is-happening-in-nk/comment-page-1/#comment-345591 Roy Berman Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:03:58 +0000 http://www.mutantfrog.com/?p=3434#comment-345591 Robert, after all these decades of heavy posturing bit little real action on the part of the North, how many people in (South) Korea even get seriously nervous anymore when they start blustering? Robert, after all these decades of heavy posturing bit little real action on the part of the North, how many people in (South) Korea even get seriously nervous anymore when they start blustering?

]]> By: Robert http://www.mutantfrog.com/2009/03/10/what-the-hell-is-happening-in-nk/comment-page-1/#comment-345542 Robert Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:17:54 +0000 http://www.mutantfrog.com/?p=3434#comment-345542 It's just North Korea acting like North Korea. Besides, with a new administration taking over in the US, it's in North Korea's interest to act really scary... especially with the South Koreans telling Pyongyang to screw itself. The only thing that really concerns me is that the North Koreans --- in an effort to draw attention to themselves --- might provoke something with the South, most likely in the West Sea along the NLL. In administrations past, such an exchange might not go far, but as the link above might suggest, as does this story: http://www.rjkoehler.com/2009/03/04/how-south-would-respond-to-north-korean-provocation-in-west-sea/ Lee Myung-bak ain't Roh Moo-hyun, and he could have a nasty surprise in store for the North if they do something stupid. I just hope the North Koreans understand this. It’s just North Korea acting like North Korea. Besides, with a new administration taking over in the US, it’s in North Korea’s interest to act really scary… especially with the South Koreans telling Pyongyang to screw itself.

The only thing that really concerns me is that the North Koreans—- in an effort to draw attention to themselves—- might provoke something with the South, most likely in the West Sea along the NLL. In administrations past, such an exchange might not go far, but as the link above might suggest, as does this story:

http://www.rjkoehler.com/2009/03/04/how-south-would-respond-to-north-korean-provocation-in-west-sea/

Lee Myung-bak ain’t Roh Moo-hyun, and he could have a nasty surprise in store for the North if they do something stupid. I just hope the North Koreans understand this.

]]> By: Curzon http://www.mutantfrog.com/2009/03/10/what-the-hell-is-happening-in-nk/comment-page-1/#comment-345514 Curzon Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:40:05 +0000 http://www.mutantfrog.com/?p=3434#comment-345514 Marmot is your friend, dude: http://www.rjkoehler.com/2009/03/10/rok-puts-f-15ks-on-standby/ Marmot is your friend, dude:
http://www.rjkoehler.com/2009/03/10/rok-puts-f-15ks-on-standby/

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