Correspondent Fred Weir discusses how Russia lacks influence in North Korea these days.
Correspondent Fred Weir
Can Moscow stop North Korea’s nuclear march?
By Fred Weir | Correspondent 05.27.09
MOSCOW – After North Korea’s nuclear bomb test on Monday, US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly noted hopefully that Pyongyang’s actions had drawn “very strong statements” of condemnation from its traditional friends China and Russia.
Mr. Kelly suggested they might help in forging a unified response.
But in Moscow, where North Korea’s oddball Stalinist dynasty was born and and nurtured for decades, officials appear perplexed and even scared over the Pyongyang regime’s increasingly wayward behavior.
After years of assailing the George W. Bush administration for failing to appreciate Russia’s special, Soviet-era relationship with “rogue” states like North Korea, the collective response of Moscow’s diplomatic community right now looks like a shrug of helplessness.
“If you’d asked me even three years ago, I would say Russia has some leverage with Pyongyang. But not today,” says Yevgeny Bazhanov, vice rector of the official Diplomatic Academy in Moscow, which trains Russian diplomats.
“If Russia, or even China, could do anything about this, these tests wouldn’t have taken place this week,” he says. “Actually, it looks like nobody has any influence over them anymore. This man, (North Korean leader Kim Jong Il) will do whatever he wants.”
Monday’s North Korean test took place in a mountainous site barely 100-miles from Russia’s Pacific coast city of Vladivostok. Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Services immediately deployed teams of experts to check for radiation spikes, but reportedly found none.
Russia holds permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council, and has indicated that it will support tougher sanctions against Pyongyang in the wake of the tests, which violate previous Security Council resolutions.
Moscow is also involved in the six-party talks, which since 2003 have attempted to convince Pyongyang to curb its nuclear program. But Russian experts say all the supposed progress made in that process, including a 2005 Statement of Principles, under which North Korea agreed to eventually abandon its nuclear ambitions and rejoin the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has now gone up in smoke.
The USSR established the Pyongyang regime, headed by the current leader’s father Kim Il Sung, after World War II. With Soviet and Red Chinese help, North Korea fought the forces of the United Nations to a bloody stalemate in the Korean War of the early 1950’s, and has since survived as what is probably the world’s most reclusive, militarized and authoritarian state.
“In fact even the Soviet Union didn’t have much influence there, and neither did China. The North Koreans effectively played off Moscow against Beijing,” says Ivan Zakharchenko, an analyst with the official RIA-Novosti news agency in Moscow.
But Russia’s relations with North Korea still looked substantial as recently as 2001, when Kim Jong Il rode his armored train to Moscow, where he was feted and treated like an important partner by then-President Vladimir Putin.
Today, Russia maintains almost no trade with Pyongyang, and its once-vaunted diplomatic pull has shriveled to virtually nil, say Russian experts.
“Nobody wants a war,” says Mr. Bazhanov. “The only alternative is to go back to the drawing board. Put on sanctions, hold talks, try to convince them not to go any further. But it doesn’t look good.”
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2. Horrando | 05.27.09
I think it is true that Moscow now has little to no influence over the actions of North Korea’s government. Perhaps this is because of the shift in leadership from Putin, who embraced the North Korean leader in an effort to maintain some sort of tractoring on the Asian nation, but with Medvedev, this may have been lost.
3. Jah | 05.27.09
Lets just hope that this doesnt turn into WW3, but if it does its about time humans stopped destroying this beautiful earth (well it used to be before humans showed up). There is a lot more life on this earth then human kind
5. Serg | 05.27.09
Russia don’t car about N Korea. why should they care? N Korea wont fight Russia anyways
6. David | 05.27.09
Jah:
Why would it turn into WW3? It may be a mess, but there are no strong alliances beholden to North Korea. The real danger is the potential for massive loss of life on the South Korean side.
7. Simplicio T. Soriao | 05.27.09
A world that keeps on paying attention to the antics of a belligerent or rogue nation will reap nothing but the same rotten antics the latter has been used to doing over and over again.
Let’s face it. The best alternative is to totally isolate North Korea from all fronts. Let North Korea feed its hungry population with with its nuclear waste.
8. Robert | 05.27.09
Gee I think we should wait until they have additinal power and weapons and then let them attack South Korea, Russia, China and if possible US sites. They can wipe out 10’s of thousands of people. After that we can send them more food as we currently do to supply their troops and heck even throw in some additinal weapons they can use against us. Why not. That seems to be the way the worldd wants to deal with this rouge nation. Or we could put an end to it today. But no country has the will to do it. So guess what. We all deserve what we will get.
9. It’s obvious | 05.27.09
The Russians have been many things in the past, but they are not stupid. I don’t believe for one second that they did not see this coming. This is part of the “Great Game”. For those who limited the U.S. influence and who helped to legitimize Russian and Chinese tolerance for N. Korean flaunting of the international community, this is your fault.
10. stephen j. | 05.27.09
I mean who cares? I think north korea is a great opportunity for the US. China plays it cool but they don’t want the US to know they are terrified of NK and millions of potential refugees if war came. If I were Obama, I would provoke and insult NK. China would quickly realize we have them over a barrel and help rein their ‘friend’ in.
11. Jim | 05.27.09
Unless some nation takes action, it will be too late to stop nuclear proliferation in North Korea’s sphere if influence. Japan will arm and Kim Jong will spin more and more out of control until maybe hundreds of thousands of people are caught in a disaster, not to mention Ma Earth. The only sensible thing to do is to for a coalition of nations to band together and effect a mutually agreed upon leadership change. This will not happen and the world will juset become a more dangerous place.
12. career education | 05.27.09
That bomb went off 100 miles from the Russian border? That will make Russia feel a bit uncomfortable.
13. Pat | 05.27.09
There are 2 options. Let N. Korea have nuclear weapons. Or war. History has shown that dictators do not respond to diplomacy. So the world (i.e. U.S.) must decide which is the lesser of 2 evils.
14. Joe | 05.27.09
I don’t get these dictator types. How is it they would prefer to build an army than an econmoic success? I guess it must be as long as they are fat and happy, the rest of their country be damned.
15. Jason | 05.27.09
North Korea definitely has a right to have nuclear weapons. What is the criteria for possessing nuclear weapons? Being the biggest bully in the world? Is being the harasser of democratic regimes such as Venezuela the criteria? Is toppling secular regimes in the Middle East and supporting Islamic fundamentalists since World War II the criteria? Is being the supporter of biggest abusers of human rights such as Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia the criteria?
United States, if you and your allies Israel and Pakistan can have nuclear weapons, then so can Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. In fact, DPRK more justified in having nuclear weapons. Ever since its founding, its existence has been threatened by the United States. One cannot hide the sun with two fingers.
16. Dont Wait | 05.27.09
5… 4… 3… 2… 1… BOMBS AWAY!!!!!!
Why wait they just gave the world a reason to carpet bomb. Come on people wake up and smell the trouble ahead. They have done more military actions in the last 6 weeks then have done all year. They know that they are in a 3 1/2 year window then someone else be in office, so they need to take advantage of his weakness now. Come on OB you can sit down with this kind of people and have talks. They have been trying for years! Start digging your bomb shelters your kids, kids may need them.
17. Ryansway | 05.27.09
Kim Jong Il wants to exit the same way as Adolf Hitler, with a scorched earth, so no one will forget his royal shortness. He is near death, his time is up, he cares for no one so he has nothing to lose.
The consequences of his rabid actions will be suffered by the peoples of North Korea who are more or less, none the wiser of world condemnation. And if Kim lobs a nuke at South Korea, the response will be complete nuclear annihilation of the North, so that it can never again pose a threat to world peace.
It’s clear the Russians and Chinese see this ends as inevitable, and are now standing clear forcing Kim to act out his bluff to get this regional thorn out of their sides once and for all.
So it’s a tragedy for the millions of innocent lives Kim Jong Il seems intent on destroying, but there is little anyone can do but respond accordingly as events unfold.
Lets all pray Iran don’t make the same mistake.
Because the world has suffered centuries of destruction, loss, and hardship to establish freedom and democracy, and it will not bow to mindless insignificant dictators if its resolve is put to the test.
18. Jonah | 05.27.09
I have a theory as to why no one has any influence in this matter. Kim Jong Il is very old and dying. I have a feeling that his last wish is to see the destruction of South Korea, and he has nothing to lose. Let’s be real. He has to know that his country will eventually shrivel up and die in the state that it is in. No country can survive that isolated forever. That being the case, go out with a bang. Accomplish your final goals at any cost. And it just so happens that that goal involves attacking another country.
19. Evan | 05.27.09
I dont think we should be worried about a country that can not produce enough light to be seen in space… North Korea is killing itself off. The best thing the world can do is to continue to impose trade sanctions and maybe give them a taste of SWINE FLU!
20. larry Clifton | 05.27.09
Obama’s foreign policy is an abject failure. We are in a dangerous world and lack leadership.
21. John | 05.27.09
China & Russia should also be held accountable, after all North Korea received there technology from these countries. Just like Russia helping Iran with their nuke programs. Furthermore, didn’t Russia state that they were going to police Iran’s nuke program.
22. Moby | 05.27.09
I see perhaps an opportunity here for Russia and China to forge stronger ties in opposition to North Korea’s regime. Through such a partnership real pressure can be brought to bear on nations that still supply and trade with NK. North Korea is far from self sufficient. It is unfortunate that its own people are made to suffer in this manner, but it surely appears that short of military action or subversive plots this might be the only way.
It’s one thing to have WMDs as peaceful deterrents. It is quite another in the hands of a rogue dictatorship.
23. Michael | 05.27.09
It is a rather unpsetting prospect that the DPRK has nuclear weapons, no diplomatic controls, and is desperate for revenue. I am not so concerned that North Korea will use the bomb in anger as I am that they will sell it to someone who will. Without dimplomatic involvement from other nations we have no warning system and therefore are left in the unenviable position of having to only react to whatever they do next instead of being able to engage them before it’s a crisis. I suspect that’s exactly how Kim Jong Il wants it too.
24. Lance | 05.27.09
Jah,
If you are ready to check out as a human then do so. In the mean time, please let the rest of us who want to learn to determine ways we can move forward without going back to horse drawn buggies.
25. RWilson | 05.27.09
I doubt it’d be WW3, especially if the rest of the world is in agreement. If North Korea takes action, its primary target would be South Korea, and even declared such. Should North Korea be foolish enough to launch a nuclear strike, the probability of fire being met with fire will be high. It might just end in the absolute decimation of North Korea and thus effectively removing them from the world map.
26. Curtis | 05.27.09
Why don’t we just sit down and talk to them a little bit more. I’m sure they can be persuaded. 
27. jerry Magner | 05.27.09
The un security council should send a small atomic bomb to Koreans atomic site destroying it, to show what their future holds.
28. Hemi | 05.27.09
So I guess we’ll just sit around and let them blackmail us forever. I love the way we go into Iraq based on lies of yellowcake uranium, then sit around and do nothing when a mad-man is setting off nukes. Go Figure. Sooner or later we’re going to have to call this guy and let the chips fall where they may.
29. Arby | 05.27.09
The Earth could be decimated, all life destroyed, and it’ll rebuild itself. We’ll only kill ourselves - it’s what we do best apparently.
30. ZAM | 05.27.09
It definitely won’t be world war 3, since Korea would need some allies. Iran and Korea what a joke.
31. Blondie | 05.27.09
I think Koreans should prepared for the WAR,
This is a GOLDEN opportunity for China and Russia to show there Power as a Pack and that what they have recently trained together.
There are some good opportunities presented for both Russians & China
Look at the GOOD facts on there side
1) UN and WORLD asking for it
2) Both Russians & China wanted this country to be a controllable pappy instead of crazy neighbor
3) Both Russians & China have enough power to overcome Koreans
4) The economy of Russians & China would benefit form this WAR
5) By wining this WAR Russia & China will get South Korea for FREE
6) Japan would loose last Western supporter in that region (South Korea)
7) THIS WILL BE THE BIRTH OF NEW SUPER POWER
The BAD part! that NATO and Obama will never see this coming
32. ikeboywonder | 05.27.09
what keeps us from entering there country and removing this hostile leader. many countries besides america want this world to move forward. north korea is a threat to all mankind. what if we underestimate north korea. what if they have 25-50 nuclear warheads instead of the possible 6-12? what than? if pakistan and any other country feeling repressed by us sells kim jong weapons grade plutonium, to be made in his non-sanctioned facility we could be further behind in this situation than we are aware of. we need affirmative action now. if kim jong doesn’t want to talk we need to make him talk. starting building up forces surrounding the country. south korea would be more than happy to help rid itself of it’s northern toothache. i don’t know what to do, just some conversation starters i suppose
33. geof | 05.27.09
Save us(Russia, China & the U.S)from human destruction. Deal with this delicate problem. Think beyond your hidden ambitions of showing your military might and talk to North Korea.
34. brenden | 05.27.09
if this leads to war with north korea it could be devistating. If they wont agree to get rid of nuclear weapons development we could be faced with nuclear war.
35. Michael Morris | 05.27.09
Jah,
I don’t understand your comment at all. How could this lead to WWIII ? You need major adversaries located around the globe to have a world war. This is one small, crazy nation against everyone else. Even the Russians and Chinese will realize this now. Unfortunately this development can lead to a great tragedy, but not a global war and the end of ‘human kind’. Honestly I think the real cause of past world wars is just the attitude you express, which can be paraphrased as ‘I am virtuous and everyone else is despicable’. I presume you are a human- am I right?
36. shawn | 05.27.09
The Earth wasnt beautiful before humans showed up. Beauty is a human concept. NO humans, no beauty. An elk doesnt sit and contemplate the wonder of a sunset. There is alot of other life, but humans are by far the most important and wonderous of its creatures. IF a tree falls in the woods…does a field mouse care?
WW3? over North Korea? Not a chance. They have no stratigic allies or even diplomatic allies at this point. They are a tiny, poor, country with dense population centers. This is a very short war if by some unbelievable act of ignorance it should begin, and N. Korea doesnt win.
37. David | 05.27.09
North Korea isn’t WWIII. Kim Jong is just Idi Amin with less charisma. An independent attack on Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities by Israel is WWIII because it would/will trigger a World Energy War as Teheran moves to block the Strait of Hormuz, the US replies with a 24 hr. surgical strike by special forces to free up the oil shipping lanes of the Strait only to run into a trojan horse laid by Iran. The rest of this scenario can unfold in a number of ways. Take your pick; none are encouraging.
38. bah bah blacksheep | 05.27.09
Well someones got to do something we cant just let North Korea continue building nukes then who knows what will happen… There will be no more Earth left if people keep building and testing nukes and their unstable people running their government
39. Paul Reeder | 05.27.09
Even today there are plenty of humans (indigenous peoples) who live in harmony with the Earth, stewarding Her resources. Its the mono-cultural approach to dominating the earth and one another that is so destructive.
40. Normal | 05.27.09
Didn’t Obama say during his election, that he would not tollorate threats from North Korea nor allow them to continue there Nuclear program? Where is he now?? He must be worried about our global immage agian.
41. Ryan | 05.27.09
It would be highly unlikely North Korea would actually attack anyone, they are most likely holding out for some type of negotiations and they think they will be taken more seriously as a nuclear power. In the unlikely event they did launch an attack it would be the quickest war in history and they would bring upon their own extinction without any allies to back them up. One of the biggest problems here is that North Korea has nothing to lose…
42. Steverogers | 05.27.09
North Korea needs to be dealt with very soon. If North Korea shows itself to be above the world law then what would stop other countries like Iran from continuing the course they are on. It makes the UN look like cowards. The only countries that we will act against are those that can’t defend themselves.
43. AF | 05.27.09
Next time he gets out of his armored train, send in twenty smart bombs to see how far in the ground he will go.
44. PSU | 05.27.09
China or Russia no longer have have any influence on North Korea or stop North Korea’s nuclear march.
45. Mike | 05.27.09
How will more sanctions “fix” this? The sanctions I believe only hurt the populace, not the government. When the government cares only about itself and cares not for the people - - nothing will change with sanctions…..
46. Eric | 05.27.09
Russia’s main concern is that the price of oil be as high as possible since her economy and Putin’s personal interests depend on this.
North Korea has been and continues to sell missile and nuclear technology to Iran and Syria.
Thus although Russia likes playing nice and innocent, the reality is that Russia is more than happy with North Korea’s actions and the resulting havoc this is leading to in the middle east.
47. Not the UN | 05.27.09
The new presidency in the US really sent North Korea trembling back to their nuclear shelter….NOT!!!!
This will be forgotten like all other violations against UN resolutions. The UN has become a bureaucratic group where diplomats enjoy all the perks while many go on living in war, poverty, disease and terror.
49. watchman | 05.27.09
Both China and Russia have built this tiger for release to cause the economical drain to the US and its allies, while they built their country’s wealth.Before the North Korean can reach the Point of Assured Mutual Destruction the US and its allies must do something.
50. Ranz Abar | 05.27.09
Nothing will come of the saber rattling. The economics of it don’t support starting a war for North Korea. However, If the rest of the world continues the sanctions, they will sell their technology to countries that even China and Russia would not.
Worry about that.
51. Da Trurh | 05.27.09
“Lets just hope that this doesnt turn into WW3, but if it does its about time humans stopped destroying this beautiful earth” - From post above.
WWIII woulden’t destroy the earth !!???
52. Bob Allen | 05.27.09
I have low expectations for sanctions. The North Korean government has already demonstrated that it will allow its citizens to starve to death. Can the rest of the world squeeze the North enough that it will degrade the life style of the rulers? I doubt it.
53. Da Truth | 05.27.09
Well, I thought the Demi-Dems said that Hillary or Barrack (as prez or sos) were just going to be SO Good as International Politicians & ‘Diplomats’ that all our problems would just ‘melt away’ as soon as they were on the scene. President Bush was just such an ‘Evil Doer’ that none of his approaches or assessments could possibly be correct. You know, Bush was just ‘SO Mean & Hateful’ and that was why there were Bad People in the world…………..You mean to tell me that some Bad Guys are just So Bad that they will not listen to kind words, Liberalistic Humanitarianism, and behind the scenes Political Niceties…………..
You mean to tell me that these North Korea just could not feel the ‘Warm Glow’ coming off of Obama & Hillary……….. The world just loved Obuma SO much (prior to the election), and now many of them just want to test him — Why Imagine That.
You don’t think that some of those countries Favored him because they thought that he was so Inexperienced and Nice (Nice in his Naiveté) that he would just be too Slow and Nice in his approach that the situation would be over before he knew what hit him. You don’t think that some of those countries wanted a US Prez that promoted diplomacy so much that he would be easily Run Over, as Iran’ plays’ with him and Russia & China are also up to their usual tricks (including toying with our ships at sea).
(welcome to the Real World)
–(that ‘warm glow’ comment is a comedic opportunity for someone)
54. Special Ops | 05.27.09
Click click, bang bang.
Newsflash: Kim Jung Il has just been shot by an assassin.
There’s our solution. Provocative, isn’t it?
55. Kuilor | 05.27.09
I assume you all know that N Korea simply wants food, clothing, and shelter (thus money and energy supplies). They are not that interested in really going to war, they have NOTHING when it comes to arms. They cannot afford to arm their troops with decent uniforms. So, when the truth comes out, it’s N Korea demanding something for their nuclear stock piles (and of course they will build it back up after we give them whatever they demand). It’s a lot like a black-mailer. Once they see that they got what they want, the price is guaranteed to go up.
56. Robert G | 05.27.09
This probably won’t turn into WW3, but the biggest fear the Chinese have is millions of starving N. Korean refugees streaming across the border.
N. Korea exists for the benefit of some 300 families that hold political power. That elite class makes sure the Army is fed and the Army keeps order. It’s more of a feudal/vassal state than anything else.
N Korea is history’s biggest humanitarian crisis just waiting to happen..
57. jb | 05.27.09
“Lets just hope that this doesnt turn into WW3, but if it does its about time humans stopped destroying this beautiful earth (well it used to be before humans showed up). There is a lot more life on this earth then human kind”
One of the most ignorant, ridiculous and senseless statements I’ve ever heard. Since when did the support system become more important than the inhabitants? Without humans, this world has no purpose and becomes the equivalent of a planet-sized aquarium.
58. Donald B | 05.27.09
I have been to Korea meny times and find it a wonderful place, but the North is just about the most frightening place on the face of this planet. First think about this if you were told the same lies from birth to adulthood then to you thoes lies would be the truth, after all a lie told often enough becomes it’s own truth. The great leader Kim Jong Il has done little or nothing to help his people, Rather he has sought to glorify himself as some sort of living God at the expense of the common man. I beleve that if he were in any other country he would be institutionlized and under heavy medication. He knows that if it comes to war that the US would walk over any and all defences he could put up (it’s hard to shoot down a cruse missile)but for the sake of the North Koreans it does not come to that. But as long as that “wacko” is in power we will always be on the brink of war, and the sad part is that the people of North Korea will suffer untill some brave soul puts a bullet in the back of his head.
59. Ed | 05.27.09
Should North Korea launch a Nucelar attack on Korea or Japan, several million’s of people would die, including most of North Korea’s population, & they would be utterly devestated.
The rest of the world would be fine and help rebuild the Nations affected.
60. robert a | 05.27.09
Looks like the “international community” is a paper tiger or better yet, a Don Quixote.
61. El Capitan | 05.27.09
“Lets just hope that this doesnt turn into WW3″
WW3 is probably not going to be started over North Korea for multiple reasons. The cooling relations between Russian/China and North Korea is one of the biggies. Not to mention regardless of whatever money (foreign trade) they have with North Korea it is nothing in comparison with the trade between the US and them.
“beautiful earth (well it used to be before humans showed up)”
I hope that is a joke. You know, certain images come to mind when someone spouts off something stupid like this. For instance, in mother nature we have earthquakes, tsunamis (hurricanes), lightning strikes (forest fires), tornadoes, etc. Also there is the possibility of meteor impacts. Mother nature can do as much (more) damage than human beings can. Also, referring the the world like it was a peaceful place while forgetting about things such as dinosaurs, which left a large environmental footprint, is ridiculous.
62. Kelly | 05.27.09
I know we don’t like to think this, but if you recall what put the end to WW2, that may be where this is headed. Sad, but it is becoming clear that reasoning and sanctions do not work with countries of the likes of North Korea and Iran.
63. David Gregory | 05.27.09
The balance of power during the Cold War was maintain by the perception of mutual annihilation. There is no such parallels here, and Pyongyang must be given an ultimatum from the nuclear powers to that effect: cease and desist, otherwise face total annihilation! With no loss of American lives, Russian lives, nor Chinese, nor any of the participating countries citizens. The world is at stake here. What is transpiring now is the result of letting the Genie out of the bottle, unfortunately, it is very difficult to put the Genie back in. As much as I am against warfare, in fact, I do not believe that any of the conflicts in the past 50 years needed to be fought because primarily they were the result of the military-industrial complex and the elitists of the world who wanted to continue making their untold wealth realized from warfare. And who knows? There might be representatives of the military-industrial complex in North Korea right now! Pushing Kim Jong II into something that would result in arm forces, man power, getting involved. Of course, that is the way it will play out if we as an organized world fail to respond with the final ultimatum!
64. Nikola | 05.27.09
A couple of questions:
1) instead of waiting for North Korea to eventually implode, why don’t we speed up the transition process? And you wouldn’t need soldiers and tanks — I bet holding the world’s largest BBQ on the borders would do it.
2) I’ve heard arguments that this is mostly about looking tough to the domestic audience, or for props in a nuclear neighborhood, but has anyone considered the possibility that the nuclear &^%*-waving is also advertising? The audience being potential nonstate buyers.
3) did Moscow lose influence with the change from Putin to Medvedev, or before? Because not only does it seem to me that Putin is still in charge (no matter the title), but Moscow couldn’t do anything to stop the first test, or to even prevent NK from leaving the NPT.
65. Edgar | 05.27.09
Enough of pampering the NK’s. We’ve got to blame ourselves for putting up with them. Every so often they are up to some crap or the other and we keep feeding them through aid. Look at the poverty in their country and they want to stand up an challenge stronger nations. Even South Korea has emerged since the 50’s and are so far advanced than them. Japan is lightyears ahead of them as well, but yet the North Koreans feel they can pick a bone with their peaceful neighbours. The rest of the world must cut off all relief, aid, medicine to the North Koreans and let them fend for themselves. The rest of the world has to learn to live as tough as the North Koreans and stand our ground.
It don’t matter who it is, every human being on earth lives with alot of “HOPE” and wants to believe in “PEACE”, however with lunatics like the North Koreans & Iranians, we might all just perish in “Despair”.
66. fat man | 05.27.09
@Jah Good point! Could this initiate the population control we’ve waited 65 years for?
67. John | 05.27.09
“Nobody can impact North Korean”? nonsense! South Korea is the largest trade partner of North Korea, counting >45% of North Korea’s trade.
68. Terrence | 05.27.09
We have tried talks, we have tried sanctions and look where it got us. Nuclear weapons pointed at our allies. North Korea exported Missle technology to the middle east which is in the hands of Iran. They were caught in Syria by Israel after Plutonium Isotopes were found coming down a river that runs through syria. Israel silently blew up the facility last year and extracted Radioactive material out, but kept silent about it. Maybe its time to cut the head off the dragon. If we let it perpetuate, Iran and North Korea will have intercontinental ballistic missles capable of hitting Major US cities. Iran will be able to hit most of Europe. Can you say Neutron.
69. Expert | 05.27.09
China supplies 90% of the electricity and 80% of its oil much of their consumer goods, food etc.
China could end this with a phone call to Kim Jong Mentally-Il.
But they do not.
Seems obvious to me N Korea fulfills a role important to China as the chain-rattling junkyard dog!
70. Charles Martel | 05.27.09
Why don’t the South Koreans just surrender to the North and save us all from an unimaginable nightmarish nuclear war?? After all, the South Korean university students and their moronic professors have been singing the praises of the North for years. They appear to think that the totalitarianism of the North is something to admire, so let them live it. They and the supporters of former disgraced President Roh have fattened the North’s military for years, causing much grief for the rest of the world. Let them make the sacrifice and suffer for their short-sightedness as opposed to innocent neighbors such as the Japanese.
71. EwerSmith | 05.27.09
We had our chance to change N. Korea in the Korean conflict when General MacArthur wanted to march right through N. Korea but those in DC had too stick their noses in and said NO and wouldn’t let him cross the demilitarized zone.
Notice how history repeats itself over and over again by those bright politicians that we elect too Washington DC.
There is a good chance that N. Korea will launch a nuclear missile when considering that its’ leader is an old dying madman with nothing too lose and sadly who will suffer, the people who probably have no idea what is happening.
72. harry s | 05.27.09
Since we are in a recesion. A war might help us to get out from recesion quickly. Forget about Russia, China, Japan and UAS. Let the NK attack SK. SK could be smashed, but will save GM right away. Sounds evil, but ……..
74. tonyt | 05.27.09
For the morons who keep yapping about Obama not doing anything, you have a real short memory. Or is because the Fix News or tub of lard Rush remembers everything for them so they don’t have to. North Korea was a problem for Bill Clinton. I know you short memory-ites won’t acknowledge it, but he did get them to shut down their nuclear program by getting them help from the UN (who I’m no fan of either) food program. The problem re-started when the Bushies declared them part of the axis of evil and withdrew from that agreement. There is no way that this can be disputed unless you are a complete idiot. Bush policies may have just as well have pushed the button that started the plutonium enrichment equipment. Who was President when they set off their first nuke? Who was President when they launched their first significant missile. The answer is BUSH. Who inherited this mess, just like all the other messes left by Bush - Obama.
I have an idea for some of you - put the batteries back in your remotes for your radio and your tv. This way you can turn the tv channel from Fix News and the radio from the human blob Rush.
75. richard potter | 05.27.09
The North Korean nuclear program expansion underscores the larger problem of Russia and China as partners in Global Security.
76. Marko | 05.27.09
The solution is this: Japan will tell China that unless the international community takes physical control over North Korea’s nuclear facilities, Japan will start a nuclear weapons program of its own. Period. That will likely motivate China to act and exert its power over Pyongyang. The West will not have to do anything else. The downside will be that a lot of people in South Korea will instantly feel one with North Korea, and the South Korean government may find it difficult to govern, but that sentiment may also protect Seoul from a North Korean onslaught to a degree.
77. Dr. Al | 05.27.09
Everything you need to know about N. Korea’s (and our)geopolitical outlook, is summarized in the film ‘Team America’! The question is, how long does the rest of the civilized world allow Kim to progress in his arsenal’s development, before we forcibly stop him? This is why stopping Sadam was justified, and why our options are now are limited. Japan and S.Korea hang in the balance.
78. Jack Tucker | 05.27.09
It astonishes me to read so many comments from people who seem to think war is the only answer.
The Middle East & South Asia has been severely destabilized by the invasions of Aghanistan & Iraq. Why anyone thinks initiating a war against Korea would have a good outcome is beyond me. Not to mention the fact the US & N Korea are still at war.
N. Korea poses no credible military threat to anyone other than some place like Zimbabwe. Russia & China are their babysitters, the US has no role to play at all..
The claim that N. Korea is going to launch a nuclear war when it is totally surrounded by three of the most powerful militaries (US, China, Russia) on earth is more insane than anything Kim Jong Il ever claimed.
79. Cluedonym | 05.27.09
In 1994 President Clinton comprised a deal to supply North Korea with 2 Light Water Reactors while simultaneously opposing Russia’s similar assistance to Iran. A 1999 congressional study revealed that Americas ’safe’ reactors produced enough spent fuel for Plutonium extraction, and, subsequently our marvellous bombs….One thing to learn from this is that America will only feel the desperate need to attack and occupy countries who cannot defend themselves….Perhaps Iran knows this too.
80. ge205 | 05.27.09
For those of you berating Obama about this, just one simple question…where was Bush when NK was developing nuke tech?
81. David Bergin | 05.28.09
It’s an important problem, which deserves serious thought and seems to demand some wise action. One remedy that could be considered would be a quick, decisive, and strictly limited surgical strike by Russia and China — with prior notification to other countries — which would erase the nuclear weapons and missile facilities. NK does not have an ability to retaliate via nuclear weapon delivery, and erasing their facilities should be done before they do. they may choose to rebuild it, but wiping it out would set them back, maybe as much as 10 years. If they invade SK, Russia, China, they can probably be defeated relatively easily, since NK is pooor, weak, starving, isolated. If they’re defeated militarily, it would not result in an Iraq situation, because NK does not have warring religions and tribes, and could be integrated into SK. Another big reason for taking action now is that NK assists other rogue nations with nuclear weapon development. We must avoid nuclear war, which would destroy life as we know it, and of which there is a real danger if we don’t stop the NK nuclear weapon delevelopment.
82. werecat | 05.28.09
Russia and China both set up North Korea and created that horrible waste dump people call a country. Russia and China should be responsible for cleaning up their own trash. The West built S.Korea into one of the worlds leading economies. Your turn.
83. Lucky | 05.28.09
Washington rightly argued that even with the help of conventional arms Pyongyang can effectively retaliate , if possibly attacked by the US, South Korea and Japan. Mass losses of life among their troops clearly rode roughshod over ambitious plans of Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, which unanimously said their firm no to attempts to try to annihilate the North referring to the use of force. Similar tactic certainly flies in the face of the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula, which saw Pyongyang flex its military muscles to show that it is now a nuclear nation to be reckoned with.
84. gary | 05.28.09
The US have not been very good at nurturing South East Asians interests for 60 odd years. They have enjoyed cheap production costs though.
Japan and South Korean have neared their use- by date.
Now it is China`s Turn. Perhaps we need to connect India into the equation as well. Russia will sit quietly and pick up the spills. They are too busy at the moment putting out fires elsewhere.
We in the South Corner can now await our new leaders. USA phase has dwindled
85. PP | 05.28.09
Strange logic prevails in most of the comments: that the war is necessary if NK will not disarm. But why we think that they are going to start war once they have a couple of warheads? A simple idea that they need them just to be secure from US attack does not come to anyone’s mind. Most probably they are looking at Iraq, where Saddam did not have weapons of mass destruction (and everybody knew this despite all lies in UN and House of Commons). They are asking themselves: and where is Saddam now? So their logic is simple, they well might think: “It looks like US needs war in Eurasia to get out of the current crisis (like WWII helped US to get out of previous crisis). If we do not have WMD, we potentially can become a target (see Iraq case). So if we will get WMD, US will think twice whether to attack us or not.”
I think the best the world can do is just to leave them alone. After all, Pakistan and Izrael have WMD, and currently these are much more dangerous places in terms of its potential implementation (Izrael is crazy about Iran who most likely has the same logic as NK, Pakistam can fell prey to islamists). But for some reason nuclear weapons in Izrael and Pakistan does not bother very much so called “international community”.
86. Chris | 05.28.09
Nuclear weapons are perceived by these countries as signs of power, as tools to gain status in the world. They really should be shown for what they are - horrible weapons, which don’t win wars because they cannot be used without complete destruction. Not only that - like a loaded gun, such weapons come with a cost far beyond their creation, they need to be protected and maintained as to not be used in the very country they are designed to “protect and serve”.
Iran, Pakistan, Israel, India, North Korea - are all confused. Their squabbles for power are so local - they would never be able to wield the very power they seek to harness, it would destroy the country using the weapon - as the enemy lives so very close.
87. hanzi | 05.28.09
I think just by softening Washington’s rhetoric against NK has helped prod China and Russia into openly recognizing the menace of NK. Previous American responses to NK have only pushed Russia and China over to NK’s side in spite of their concern with the reclusive state. I think China and Russia have more at stake with NK than the west because of the proximity. They will prevent NK from being pro-Western for as long as they can but I think reunification of NK and SK is only a matter of time. The US should not paint themselves as gleeful exporters of democracy or human rights or regime change in the case of NK, thus removing the concerns and suspicions of China and Russia. NK will eventually implode due to increasing isolation and lack of aid from its traditional allies.
88. becky | 05.28.09
why cant we all just get on?….why cant we just all help each other out?
why cant we all put down our guns and get along?…i have an 18 month old baby and i worry for our future, mother earth can do her bit to us but lets not kill our own plant and each other. someone needs to take this guy out and then lets just have peace….i wish there was two plants, i would go to the other one where we all just lived in peace and did our own bit for our selves and each other.
89. Aly | 05.28.09
In my opinion,
this entire deal with North Korea bombing America and other foreign countries is horrible. People all over the world are terrified of what is to come. We should absolutely not go to war unless there is absolute need to do so because it will only cause more problems for the nations. What is going on in our world is terrifying and will hopefully come to an end.
90. NC | 05.29.09
this is insane
all we really need to do is take out all of NK’s military installations with a few strategic bombs and missiles and that would be the end of that, we wouldn’t even need to send troops in. Plus if N. Korea does launch a Ballistic missile we got our ships with the aegis defense system in the area that will easily deal with it.
91. Peter | 05.29.09
I’m very interested to see how Obama will react to this situation. Bush’s being forced to respond to 9/11 is what ultimately brought such major negative criticism his way, but there’s no easy response when faced with the threat of a force that will not acknowledge this new international platform that humans are now a part of. When someone’s ideology influences them to blow themselves up to inflict harm on innocent bystanders, and then the risk of streamlined technology and weaponry is added to the picture, it must prompt the world to take action toward a critical situation that the world has never experienced. The people of North Korea are without the multiple news sources and media outlets to participate in these types of international debates as all of us are at this time. It’s time for the world to collectively unturn every stone and go door to door to promote the recognition of a global set of human rights. We are all humans. I’m willing to die to advance the progress of eliminating dictatorships in the world. I’m so humbled to have such limitless freedom in a world where there still exists so many people who’s entire lives will never experience a fraction of freedom, liberty, and justice. If NK did not currently have Nukes, I would suggest a forceful regime change similar to what’s being done in Iraq. Since NK does pose a nuclear threat, as a solution to this fragile situation, I would suggest a propaganda campaign intended to reach the people of NK. Drop flyers, play video montages that represent the freedom in the world to the NK soldiers that guard the borders. Somehow, the people of NK need to see what they’re missing out on. PUT GOOGLE & WIKIPEDIA in their hands! Drop laptops on parachuttes. Sneak these things in with the foreign aid that is given to them. Whatever it takes.
92. Sergey Moscow | 05.30.09
Russian at sources of the Korean bomb? I think that aggression of the USA against Yugoslavia, Iraq, Grenada, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Panama here that has given birth to a bomb. Now this poor country becomes even poorer. And is even more malicious.
93. Arrow | 05.31.09
Eric writes: “Russia’s main concern is that the price of oil be as high as possible since her economy and Putin’s personal interests depend on this.
North Korea has been and continues to sell missile and nuclear technology to Iran and Syria.
Thus although Russia likes playing nice and innocent, the reality is that Russia is more than happy with North Korea’s actions and the resulting havoc this is leading to in the middle east.” ————————————————————————————————————————–But it is lie! North Korea is evil state, but it does not sell missiles and nuclear technology to Iran and Syria!!! And it NEVER did so…Simply because it had NO such untill recently…and even now their “technology” is in the process of testing - all those launches are not that succesfull and USA even doubt those are really capable of what is announced…What a nasty manner to lie in order to accuse Russia in everything…I am surprised that such post is not moderated!
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1. Andy | 05.27.09
Nobody can impact North Korean…really terrible…