tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post6646424345552811146..comments2024-03-20T12:03:26.126+00:00Comments on Thin Pinstriped Line: Korearing Out of Control - The situation in KoreaSir Humphreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08704774192275240783noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-81424581418132519982013-04-12T12:24:53.639+01:002013-04-12T12:24:53.639+01:00http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-2206258...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-22062589<br /><br />Interesting piece on BBC news about the Chinese position. My favourite quote: <br /><br />"Peace, like air and sunshine, is hardly noticed when people are benefiting from it," Chinese President Xi Jinping noted in his opening speech at BOAO. "But none of us can live without it."<br /><br />TomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-79017815002295197202013-04-06T13:33:34.734+01:002013-04-06T13:33:34.734+01:00He is the man in charge. North Korea's system ...He is the man in charge. North Korea's system is such as secretive as it is.Jeneral28https://www.blogger.com/profile/16332640271661260029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-79019271366978715192013-04-05T13:42:06.636+01:002013-04-05T13:42:06.636+01:00the article keeps referring to Kim! Is he the man ...the article keeps referring to Kim! Is he the man in charge?<br />are we going to get 'lost in translation'if we don't know who is in charge...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-31118469276834676752013-04-05T13:28:59.132+01:002013-04-05T13:28:59.132+01:00Kim Jong Un is in a diplomatic cul-de-sac and his ...Kim Jong Un is in a diplomatic cul-de-sac and his future undisputed leadership is now under threat. The Americans knew full well that, like Pavlov's dog, North Korea would react to type the minute they flew their stealth bomber in full view of Pyongyang and they did it to test the strength of Kim's powerbase. As the Chinese say, "Everyone pushes at a falling fence."<br />Kim's current crop of elderly Generals now have to put up, or shut up, so the most likely outcome is a containable incident, well stage managed, (hence the current crop of PR photo-opportunities) and a patriotic funeral for the few dead foot soldiers. <br />Failure to push the nuclear button now will leave Kim Jong Un looking like the spoilt brat that he is. He might try it, but the Chinese will not permit it.<br />"You got yourself into this mess, you get out of it. Your best option is to retire for health reasons, and, by the way, please say hallo to the new head of the Peoples Army."Derek McBridenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-34369649621380443442013-04-05T10:08:59.565+01:002013-04-05T10:08:59.565+01:00The main problem with North Korea is the uncertain...The main problem with North Korea is the uncertainty; there are so many plausible theories about this recent upstick in belligerency but I tend to veer towards the position that they are all fur coat and no knickers and this time, if it does spill over, there won't be such a muted response from South Korea.<br /><br />North Koreas military prowess is vastly over rated and come a shooting war I think they would collapse, and collapse very quickly.<br /><br />The only brake is the principle of you break you pay<br /><br />When the two countries finally reunify (and it is only a matter of time) the costs will be astronomicalthink defencehttp://www.thinkdefence.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-81114837322127145202013-04-03T13:14:11.475+01:002013-04-03T13:14:11.475+01:00Very interesting look at the recent developments f...Very interesting look at the recent developments from a UK perspective. It is indeed both worrying and also 'normal' for this time of year from them... but indeed; most analysists agree with your opinion that the danger here is either a mistake rapidly developing into something bigger... or another border event (along the lines with shelling an island and sinking of a warship...).<br /><br />Hope you don't mind Sir H but here's a couple of good sites on DPRK if you dont know them already, one a blog and one a defector run news site; both offering an interesting insight.<br /><br />http://www.dailynk.com/english/index.php<br /><br />http://freekorea.us/<br />mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-90407510982317242882013-04-03T09:48:19.396+01:002013-04-03T09:48:19.396+01:00You forget that the UK has an embassy in...North K...You forget that the UK has an embassy in...North Korea! So they have access to the actual feel of the people (well only Pyongyang since foreigners can't move out of the city) over there, unlike the US.<br /><br />So do a couple of European governments...I do wonder how you survive as a diplomat in North Korea.<br /><br />As for the Seoul/Tokyo DAs...don't think they ca do much but get info from the American. Can the RN deploy a SSN/SSBN that far?Jeneral28https://www.blogger.com/profile/16332640271661260029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-19359147061601814792013-04-02T19:49:04.429+01:002013-04-02T19:49:04.429+01:00You'll note I've intentionally not made an...You'll note I've intentionally not made any mention of commitment of UK or other troops. It is fair to say that the role of the DA is a useful way of the UK remaining abreast of a situation, nothing more. <br />The commitments I refer to are further south, although I can clarify this at some point. Sir Humphreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08704774192275240783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6254362504495980377.post-299765103653456712013-04-02T19:28:34.985+01:002013-04-02T19:28:34.985+01:00Seeing this "crisis" as an advert for th...Seeing this "crisis" as an advert for the "work" of the DA in Seoul is a mistake.<br /><br />You might be better describing them as "pretence" commitments rather than defence commitments. The lines trotted out in bilaterals always studiously avoid anything like a commitment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com