That's the funny thing, if North Korea really started full-on nuclear war against America they wouldn't last 5 minutes, they would simply be wiped off the map. People seem to fear North Korea just because they're seemingly run by nutters. It's utterly laughable the idea that they could take on the US in a nuclear sense though.
China and Russia are not the 'Communist' states of old. They are undemocratic capitalist oligarchies, both doing very nicely thankyou, the last thing they need/want is some old fashioned ideological bun fight. NK is within their own back yard or sphere of influence, but beyond that it has no strategic or mineral worth. Both probably regard NK as a basket case but "It's our basket case not the Yanks' " If ever there was a case for a man needing to be sucked off for a week by the finest prozzies known to man, then it's the top NK chap. It could avert a war and save his country.
I wasn't suggesting they'd fire nukes at the US, but that they'd just fire nukes in retaliation. If anything, North Korea would probably fire nukes at the South, mainly Seoul, which would be just as successful an objective in the North Koreans' eyes. But that would be suicide in itself. If they did that, the US (or more likely, a collective group of allied nations) would likely level Pyongyang in return.
Nutters or not, there's no way N.Korea are going to go nuclear, it'd be suicide and they know it. S.Korea's statement is spot on, nothing more than empty provocative threats that should be ignored.
It'd seem odd to be in conflict with one nation and attack a different nation in retaliation, although I see your point. At least they could actually reach South Korea. I believe the series of events would once again be the same. The thing is, at one stage in the Korean War, the US (technically speaking, UN) forces had taken about 90% of Korea, easily driving the North Koreans back, and could've settled for that. China then said, if they saw any US troops on the border, they'd get involved. So what does the US general do ... sticks US troops on the border thinking that China were bluffing. So, unsurprisingly, China got involved and drove the US/UN forces all the way back to almost exactly where they had started along the 38th parallel.
Have you seen his wife City Agro? I don't think he needs the prostitutes quite frankly. My bet is that they'll do what they did before, i.e. throw a few missiles off the coast at South Korea and claim they have repelled the US and SK. The Americans with Obama in charge won't throw any nukes at them unless one is heading towards Seoul or the American mainland. If NK attack any US facilities, it'll be a strategic US strike at the heart of Pyongyang with China and Russia given prior warning. The Russians and Chinese are not interested in helping NK, as someone said earlier they are too far into their own versions of capitalism to go backwards now. They only see NK as a bulwark against American economic interests in the area. The only way they would get involved or get touchy is if the Americans wanted to invade or set up bases. That won't happen anyway. I think NK will eventually be brought down by either Chinese or Russian pressure.
Ironically I handed in my university dissertation on North Korea two years ago and look what's happening. IMO it's a front by Kim Jong Un who is using media manipulation to the maximum - in a nutshell propaganda. Funnily enough the country relies on heavy support by the UN for farming tools, food packages and other necessities. Kim Jong Un was educated in the west which is even more unbelievable. Outside of Pyongyang the country is facing mass poverty and the media is very heavily restricted. It's a phase of the 'cult of personality'. In other words - show your strength and the people of the country will be behind you, if not there's a fear of political uprising. The media and propaganda is a powerful thing!
[video=youtube;mIQToVqDMb8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIQToVqDMb8[/video] I just don't get it He's just had a massive worldwide hit and he's still pissing about trying to start a war Funny feller
Blimey Kirkellatiger, I've just 2nd marked an MA thesis on Chinese broadcast media post Beijing Olympics...good luck with your dissertation mate!
Cheers LincolnTiger. Handed it in 2 years ago and gained a 2:1. Studied Media at Sheff Hallam hence the media angle on NK.
Despite people talking about how China have moved away from their 'old communist' approach, it's surprising how much this is the case there. Their media is very heavily censored and if you see something like a Chinese history textbook, in use today, their version of events is so heavily doctored it's comical.
I believe it actually set a new record of being number one for the longest time in South Korea. 5 consecutive weeks I think.
That's state or ruling clique control rather than 'communism' per se The Chinese Communist party just used media control to enforce its power.
A ha! well done on the 2:1! Unfortunately I teach it (Media & Audio Production) ...and now to a bunch of Chinese students too! They are lovely, but it's quite comical at times!
If anyone is interested in NK check out this video (it's in 3 parts). The journalist did a tour of Pyongyang and it's pretty surreal what goes on. http://www.vice.com/the-vice-guide-to-travel/vice-guide-to-north-korea-1-of-3
**** me its been a bit highbrow this thread, now Lincs has touched on that all i can think about is Benny Hill's funny chinaman.
N Korea may well be a runt of a nation , but the whole area around it is festooned in what the West need and want . There is no way the Americans and even more so the S.Koreans will sanction destabilising the region with war UNTIL there is more to gain than lose. So far neither SK or the US are at that point , the US wont be close to that point until NK can demonstrate nuclear capabilities on an ICBM scale (or whatever they are called) I think it would be best to crush NK early but the South have it all to lose if war starts - Lets hope we can stay out of it as we dont have any resources to fight !
Some of the Chinese students I teach are very aware of how the Chinese state manipulates their media. One student told me that he was informed back home that the western media are very anti-china. He said he found it in the UK to be quite the opposite. Some of them frankly don't care and/or willingly accept the censorship and propaganda. I am surprised that we have so many studying media production to be honest. I'll say this however, the genie is well and truly out of the bottle, and over time gradually, the Chinese media will change simply because too many returning students like the lifestyle and freedoms that the west provides.
All I can think about is the women he used to chase or be chased by at the end of his show to the tune of Boots Randolph's Yakety Sax. ( I am now blocking Ms. Lincolntiger's view of the computer). He was a dirty old sod that Benny Hill...nice women though!!
