The North Korean Threat

markus.nay (25)in #politics • 7 years ago

Sunday, May 21, 2017
The North Korean Threat
Hours ago it was reported by the Japanese and American military that North Korea had fired a missile landing off Japan’s east coast. The missile had a shorter range than last weeks Hwasong-12 rocket – the Hwasong-12 rocket appeared to be a medium range missile “The ballistic missile reached an altitude of about 560km (348 miles), according to a South Korean military official.”, RT News reported
Today’s rocket was a solid fuel rocket, compared to last weeks rocket, which was liquid fueled. This is worrying to the US and allies in the Korean region because liquid fuel requires vehicles to be on-site to fuel the rocket. Solid fuel does not require vehicles on-site and therefore can be more unpredictable to launch.
The US response to the missile launch today was no different than ever, with Tillerson stating “The ongoing test is disappointing, disturbing, and we ask that they cease it”. Japan was similar, stating they wouldn’t tolerate North Korea’s “repeated acts of provocation”
The question is, is North Korea really a threat? Well, if you live in South Korea or Japan, the answer is maybe. If you are elsewhere, the answer is no. The answer is simple: Why would North attack the US or its allies? People say “To show their power” seems to be the typical response. But wait, why would he attack a country that could certainly destroy them? He wouldn’t! Kim Jong-Un knows he would lose in a war against the US. Maybe this is why they are testing their missiles. The US and South Korea do drills that simulate invasions of the North every year. If North Korea didn’t have a deterrant like nukes, they could end up like Syria or Iraq. The only feasable way a war starts is if a US ally starts it. If an ally does start a war, they will make it seem like their security is at risk, but it will be ficticious (like Vietnam or Iraq (remember those WMDs that never existed?)).