North Korea's threatening actions
To “end” the Korean War, a cease-fire agreement was formed in 1953. Recently, North Korea has declared that they no longer “consider it obligated by the cease-fire agreement that ended military hostilities”. Further, North Korea has threatened to use forceful military strikes against any hostile actions. As a form of intimidation, they have been defiant and continued with their missiles program. These developments, along with the recent 12 year sentence of the two American-Journalists, have a growing number of people fearful of another war.
However, it may be that North Korea is merely looking to bargain with the United States and avoid any form of conflict. The threats of North Korea seem to be carefully thought out tactics to open negotiations with the United States. Pyongyang is not recognized as being politically legitimate in the eyes of the Americans. Their government is referred to as a militant regime. For these reasons, North Korea is using threats and bargaining chips to gain concessions. They have a pattern of behavior that is predictable. For instance, in 2002, North Korea conducted their first nuclear bomb test after being shunned by the United States. The test eventually compelled the Americans to open the lines of communication. Dennis Blair, the director of National Intelligence said that “the character of North Korea’s behavior is a fairly familiar pattern of doing something outrageous and then expecting to be paid for stopping doing it”.
The recent actions of North Korea come at a time of political uncertainty. These actions will be used as propaganda to ensure loyalty and support from their citizens during a time of transition. Ailing Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s dictator, has named his successor, his youngest son Kim Jong Un. The top defense official in South Korea, defense Minister Lee Sang-hee, stated that “North Korea is launching missiles, testing nuclear devices and whipping up global tension so that its ailing leader, Kim Jong Il, can create conditions for a hereditary transfer of power”.
RSS
Home
North Korea's threatening actions
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
