Just an Artillery Drill, Relax
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war due to the reckless plan of those-trigger-happy elements to stage again the war exercises targeted against the North." Pyongyang's official news agencyPoor North Korea. Here they are, minding their own business as usual, and suddenly they're the subject of a spontaneous attack. It's extremely hurtful. They don't deserve that kind of treatment from South Korea. Surely it was much better before, under the previous regime's 'Sunshine policy' toward their brethren, to blithely pay no attention to the rumbles of conquest from the North, than what pertains currently, unsettling the North no end.
After all, what self-respecting nation would countenance shells being lobbed into its waters during a military exercise? Even if they were advised beforehand that such an exercise would be taking place? It's upsetting, off-putting, and just not at all neighbourly-nice. Warranting a live response, lively enough to destroy buildings on Yeonpyeong, the frontline border island, and kill four people.
Of course four people dying in that innocent little warning barrage wasn't quite like having 46 killed by torpedoing a naval vessel. And nothing much came of it. Outrage, sorrow for the South, but triumph for the North. Once again, their violent provocations not responded to. After all, they're holding a trump card; starvation may be rampant in the North, but they do have a budding collection of nuclear weapons and some fairly effective rockets to pair with them.
Launching missiles over the Sea of Japan makes Japan exceedingly nervous. Conducting nuclear tests makes the world very nervous, and the United States sits up and takes clear notice. The North's military-totalitarian regime plays hardball while the entire region wants to play table tennis. And China approves of table tennis; they're past masters as it. China is committed, above all, to harmony in the region.
China understands why North Korea will simply not tolerate any further provocations by the South. As for South Koreans, they just get on with their lives. Those living on Yeonpyeong island may very well be upset at the loss of their homes and businesses, but that's the cost of living next to a military power that must keep reminding the world that it is a military power.
Labels: Technology, Traditions, Troublespots, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, November 28, 2010
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