Of North Korea

Tensions are increasing over in this region due to the recent threats by North Korea. For those of you who may not be updated on the latest news, first refer to my last post, and then I'll summarize everything here.

All good? Alright, let's continue...

So, as you know, North Korea shelled Yeonpyeong Island in South Korea the other day, killing two marines and two civilians. Japan immediately condemned the act, and is trying to find ways to settle the matter. China is also trying to solve the problem, but in some ways, it is making it worse. This is due to the fact that the US and South Korea are planning to hold naval exercises in the area in order to discourage North Korea from any further action. Unfortunately, North Korea has expressly stated that it considers this a threat on its sovereignty and that if it pushed any further by these exercises, it will not hesitate to retaliate. China, although not condoning North Korea's actions, has also stated that "any military act in its exclusive economic zone will not be permitted." By reading between the extremely passive-aggressive lines, one notices that China is also in a way threatening the US and Korea, and possibly will take serious action if it continues to be baited. Although right now no one is sure what that relation would be, one can guess that China would perhaps stop trade with the States as it did with Japan not long ago with regard to the rare earth fiasco. Although China eventually started trading with Japan again, the US cannot afford to lose China as a trading partner.

Apparently, the US and South Korea have started military drills anyway. The commander of South Korea's marines has stated that South Korea will avenge the deaths a "thousandfold." And that, "We will put our feelings of rage and animosity in our bones and take our revenge on North Korea." North Korea, in contrast, has accused the South's marines of using "human shields" while still calling the civilian deaths "very regrettable."

Apparently, six-way talks were to be held by Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea, the US, and Russia. Although the Prime Ministers and other such representatives of the individual countries have met and are trying to solve the problem one-on-one, the talks that were originally planed have been postponed.

I can't truly say what's happening in other countries right now, but I know Japan is on edge. Although it is normal for North and South Korea to be angry at each other, and even to engage in military actions at each other every now and then, this much animosity still is making people uncomfortable. Kan's Cabinet has been put on high alert here, and has been ordered to stay in Tokyo in case the situation gets out of hand. Hopefully this will end like in the past with just the North and South being angry at each other and without a war breaking out. Honestly, I do think it's possible to prevent that, but considering the China-Korea region is becoming extremely unstable, we will see what happens. China is experiencing some infighting in the government, North Korea is currently changing leadership, and South Korea is upset with its Prime Minister for not doing enough to handle the situation.

To those that are worried, don't worry too much. The North and South hate each other by definition. I would worry more about China than anything else.

If you want more information, check out the Japan Times and the New York Times.

Michelle