I have been monitoring the recent North Korean activities the past week and I'm beginning to wonder if the Pyongyang nuclear tests, satellite launch and missile launches, along with the breaking of the Armistice Agreement are a prelude to something unexpected by the major powers.
North Korea has a history of beating its war drum, threatening its neighbors, and issuing belligerent statements. There is a reason for this and it's not necessarily because the communist leadership is unstable or irrational. Mostly its about regime survival. North Korea remembers how quickly the United States pushed North Korean forces back up to the Yalu River line after the North Koreans had almost conquered the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War. We need to remember that the Korean Peninsula has been an invasion route in the past and a contested territory.
The North Koreans are sandwiched between competitor countries such as China and Japan, which has presented numerous problems for them for decades. It is little wonder then why the country has decided to focus on a nuclear capability. In their view, they need to ensure a deadly response in the event any other country attempts to destabilize or invade their territory.
But so far for all of their rhetoric and nuclear activity there has largely been no significant consequences for their behavior. This is perhaps an unfortunate circumstance. It may be inviting an escalation of activity to get the United States to the bargaining table by forcing the U.S. to choose between war or peace.
The latest developments reported today are certainly something to watch. Chinese crab fishing boats are reportedly leaving the fishing grounds near the Northern Limit Line that splits the two Koreas. There have been deadly naval clashes in this area in the past and the North Koreans are suggesting it could happen again.
Yesterday it was reported that an object similar in size to an ICBM was spotted on a train at an artillery research center in Pyongyang. This device could be ready for launch in about two weeks.
It would seem North Korea is pushing all the buttons it can to force an international crises. Is it more bluster, or something else?
I'll be watching the international markets for more clues as the days go by.
North Korea has a history of beating its war drum, threatening its neighbors, and issuing belligerent statements. There is a reason for this and it's not necessarily because the communist leadership is unstable or irrational. Mostly its about regime survival. North Korea remembers how quickly the United States pushed North Korean forces back up to the Yalu River line after the North Koreans had almost conquered the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War. We need to remember that the Korean Peninsula has been an invasion route in the past and a contested territory.
The North Koreans are sandwiched between competitor countries such as China and Japan, which has presented numerous problems for them for decades. It is little wonder then why the country has decided to focus on a nuclear capability. In their view, they need to ensure a deadly response in the event any other country attempts to destabilize or invade their territory.
But so far for all of their rhetoric and nuclear activity there has largely been no significant consequences for their behavior. This is perhaps an unfortunate circumstance. It may be inviting an escalation of activity to get the United States to the bargaining table by forcing the U.S. to choose between war or peace.
The latest developments reported today are certainly something to watch. Chinese crab fishing boats are reportedly leaving the fishing grounds near the Northern Limit Line that splits the two Koreas. There have been deadly naval clashes in this area in the past and the North Koreans are suggesting it could happen again.
Yesterday it was reported that an object similar in size to an ICBM was spotted on a train at an artillery research center in Pyongyang. This device could be ready for launch in about two weeks.
It would seem North Korea is pushing all the buttons it can to force an international crises. Is it more bluster, or something else?
I'll be watching the international markets for more clues as the days go by.
