tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post5848698037253740274..comments2024-03-26T03:31:06.199-04:00Comments on Ask a Korean!: Ask a Korean! News: Mr. Joo Seong-Ha on ROKS Cheon-An SinkingT.K. (Ask a Korean!)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07663422474464557214noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-38408321289414351552010-04-28T01:35:17.053-04:002010-04-28T01:35:17.053-04:00An interesting post, thanks. Although the optimism...An interesting post, thanks. Although the optimism I began reading with soon faded.<br /><br />You claim that North Koreans would react rationally in the event of an external threat on the establishment, yet I would suggest that is the last thing they would do.<br /><br />As an example, in South Korea, when issues are framed as nationalist, you can guarantee the response will be far from rational, fuelled by intense nationalism and defence mechanisms. One of the most distinctive aspects of Koreans is their intense nationalism. It can be endearing, too. When there is an external threat, people rally round and fight the cause, like no others.<br /><br />In North Korea, which shares a history and a psyche, this has been compounded by 60 years of the most extreme nationalist brainwashing. As aforesaid, those controlling the military are the most trusted and loyal.<br /><br />I would concur with an earlier poster and suggest that any attempt on KJI's life will guarantee a fight to the death by the brainwashed generals. Many would prefer death than to live under perceived-foreign control. This is true for many countries when they are attacked by foreigners, but North Korea is the most extreme case of state-sanctioned brainwashing on the planet. This is in a culture already steeped in insularity and distrust of foreigners.<br /><br />Rational arguments will be possible around the negotiating table, no problem, but once you start sending assassins to kill KJI, it is game over.Wonderlusthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12685261679125167241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-79077738188989367992010-04-28T01:21:12.402-04:002010-04-28T01:21:12.402-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Wonderlusthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12685261679125167241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-90324381312830297652010-04-26T08:17:24.043-04:002010-04-26T08:17:24.043-04:00I was wondering how about a non lethal show of mil...I was wondering how about a non lethal show of military force?<br /><br />Essentially something like fast jet raids, but drop only books (encyclopaedias?) and food.<br /><br />The jets would scare the life out of the North Korean population who would realise that the South has the power to do what it likes militarily and the DPRK armed forces are no match. While at the same time providing food and education would be a massive threat to the regime, showing there is a bigger, more powerful, benevolent country trying to help them. A groundswell of dissent is surely an excellent form of retaliation.<br /><br />This does rather depend on the feasibility of the raid and the NK air defences being sufficiently porous in places. But from what I understand of NK I'd be surprised if the technology and armanent to take down a fast jet remains functional throughout the country.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17819003931942447493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-12171399875834616592010-04-22T17:01:12.710-04:002010-04-22T17:01:12.710-04:00Joel, what would TN stand for?
Lee Farrand, it is...Joel, what would TN stand for?<br /><br />Lee Farrand, it is a mistake to assume that North Koreans -- at any level, low or high -- are brainwashed fanatics. They are rational people who respond to rational incentives, like preservation of their own lives.<br /><br />gwern, that's a good observation. Also recall that SK did pretty much nothing after the KAL 858 bombing.T.K. (Ask a Korean!)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07663422474464557214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-51100461038932132602010-04-21T19:55:30.765-04:002010-04-21T19:55:30.765-04:00What can Korea do? Nothing! The US is already invo...What can Korea do? Nothing! The US is already involved in two wars, and the country's current president is willing to let Israel down over a few houses in Jerusalem. Does anybody honestly believe, Obama will support any kind of actions, of whatever nature, against a rogue state that possesses nuclear bombs and has Red China's support? <br /><br />NK and its criminally insane leadership will go on, and on, and on.KDHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07233791192365927946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-23623598516645626642010-04-21T13:51:16.421-04:002010-04-21T13:51:16.421-04:00theseoulsearcher: well, obviously it's an act ...theseoulsearcher: well, obviously it's an act of war.<br /><br />But the US and South Korea have never needed an excuse to go to war because North Korea keeps on providing them - this, the ax murders, and so on. They don't lack for _casus belli_; it's just that a war seems like a bad idea and small North Korean provocations like this don't change the cost-benefit calculations.gwernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18349479103216755952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-50277111579129966082010-04-21T07:07:09.269-04:002010-04-21T07:07:09.269-04:00Thank you for the translation!Thank you for the translation!telloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04189588012484710885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-76754558484177232682010-04-21T06:00:45.982-04:002010-04-21T06:00:45.982-04:00Not retaliating runs the risk of further attack. R...Not retaliating runs the risk of further attack. Retaliating plays into the hands of the propaganda machine. <br />Closing the Kaesung plant is the best option. That way KJI cannot use it as a bargaining chip later, which he is bound to do. Also, step up international pressure on China, which is the only country that can make NK listen.<br /><br />Stealth bombing is not the answer. We must remember that KJI promotes absolutely fanatical generals to the upper eschelons of the armed forces. A lifetime of brainwashing is not to be trifled with.Lee Farrandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06405103217824096934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-16260039643930315432010-04-21T04:49:22.740-04:002010-04-21T04:49:22.740-04:00TK,
Very good translation. My thoughts go out to ...TK,<br /><br />Very good translation. My thoughts go out to those families affected by this horrific tragedy. <br /><br />I dont think South Korea can do anything given that the stakes are too high for South Korea. In other words, South Korea cannot ill afford to invade nor retaliate against North Korea, even with enough evidence suggesting that the North Korea was behind the attack, given the negative consequences it will have on the Korean peninsula. Furthermore, such invasion will destabilize the Korean peninsula as well as the entire North East Asian region. As such, such event should be avoided at all cost. The only solution that I can see is through peaceful reconciliation by both countries, mutual economic and political exchanges and, most importantly, North Korea’s establishment of a sound economic platform, and, thereby, albeit slowly, allowing people of North Korea to see from their own eyes the very cruelty of Kim’s regime on its own people. In doing so it will eliminate mass casualties on both sides, protect the economic interests of South Korea, and preserve peace on the Korean and greater Asian peninsula.Miguk chonhnumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07695554200912433082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-32742814996437889852010-04-21T04:43:01.928-04:002010-04-21T04:43:01.928-04:00The original article writer seems a bit extreme tb...The original article writer seems a bit extreme tbh. In that it regularly asserts we can do this we can do that.<br /><br />They can't as China will back North Korea to the Hilt, and even without war may simply not buy Korean Exports which will 'torpedo' the S Korean economy.The Chinese guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042709338416365751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-45699944010080218202010-04-21T04:09:53.143-04:002010-04-21T04:09:53.143-04:00i will pray that korea can be united oneday just l...i will pray that korea can be united oneday just like germany.<br />though i fear it won't happen as peaceful as it did here :/Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17359872295376196005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-32417971439992026932010-04-21T00:24:09.931-04:002010-04-21T00:24:09.931-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Miguk chonhnumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07695554200912433082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-31807799657308972322010-04-21T00:12:37.391-04:002010-04-21T00:12:37.391-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Miguk chonhnumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07695554200912433082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-26900538354886036262010-04-21T00:06:19.142-04:002010-04-21T00:06:19.142-04:00So wait, if it does turn out be NK doesn't tha...So wait, if it does turn out be NK doesn't that basically mean that it's an act of war, and then the US has to help SK retaliate by the rules of the treaty we have together?The Seoul Searcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04433656828663327427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-59766025687202407862010-04-20T22:25:54.717-04:002010-04-20T22:25:54.717-04:00I really enjoyed this post - probably because it p...I really enjoyed this post - probably because it proposes action without mass destruction. Very 'eye for an eye'. <br /><br />The biggest question, if it's North Korea, is 'what level of evidence will they require before proceeding?' Please God / Goddess, let Korea have more evidence than Bush had when Saddam had WMD...Chris in South Koreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07114300133329984235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-18326863635315531032010-04-20T20:12:43.483-04:002010-04-20T20:12:43.483-04:00Usually I like these translated posts you provide....Usually I like these translated posts you provide. Today, I don't know... this guy just feels a bit too extreme for me today... Maybe I'm just too complacent...조안나https://www.blogger.com/profile/18436544214416169575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36405856.post-37284291783365298902010-04-20T19:39:12.985-04:002010-04-20T19:39:12.985-04:00Is there a reason you choose to use TK rather than...Is there a reason you choose to use TK rather than TN?Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07506297835951230830noreply@blogger.com