N.Korean Rulers Worried Over Devaluation Backlash; Military Put On Sub-War Level Alert (Breaking)

Chosun Ilbo News, Seoul, S. Korea (original in Japanese) ^ | 7 December 2009 Pearl Harbor Day | Anh Yon Hyon, Reporter

[AmericanInTokyo]

OK, this is confusing: but this is the LINK to the original Japanese language article from the conservative/trustworthy South Korean "Chonsun Ilbo" daily newspaper website in Korean which reported from a Russian news agency just a little while ago.

The headline is 北朝鮮デノミ：「住民騒乱を懸念、軍が戦闘準備」 ("North Korean Currency Devaluation: Worries Over Uprising By North Korean People; North Korean Army Goes on Sub-War Status")

[driftdiver]

I don’t know about Romania but they did eat each other in Siberia when Stalin was starving them.

[mkjessup]

“Those silly bastards would be surrendering to media news crews just like the Iraqis did.”
A NK submarine had an engine failure and washed up on a beach in South Korea. The Capt lined up 10 of his crew on the beach and shot them, then himself.
The two remaining crew members went running through the countryside killing anyone they came across. The Army was mobilized to hunt them down and kill them.
The NK crew could have surrendered and been richly rewarded. If they had surrendered their families would have all been sent to the camps. Not just wives and children, but cousins, grandparents, brothers, sisters, mom, and dad. So by committing suicide in a very public way they saved their family.



And the society which created such horrific conditions is one in which you believe we should avoid war at all costs?

Comparing Iraqi’s to Koreans shows just how much you don’t understand.

I understand human nature, and it is basically the same no matter the ethnic face upon it. In an actual shooting war, if the morale of your enemy is poor, it is more likely that enemy is going to look for opportunities to surrender, especially if they believe that the cause for which they are fighting is hopeless.

You don't get much more hopeless than the current 'juche' society of North Korea, led by their Number One Juche Bag, Kim Jong Il.

Say, I thought you said you were done with me? LOL

[mkjessup]

“I understand that you would rather kiss Kim’s ass and submit to perpetual blackmail and think it’s a fine idea for the rest of the world.”
How is he blackmailing the US?

LMAO! Welllll now, why don't you review the Clinton-Albright years, PLUS the GWB years, and how they appeased and kow towed to North Korea, and ask that question again, ok? ;)

“What you don’t understand is that there IS something worse than war.”
Sure there is. How is what is occurring now worse for the US than attacking the North and killing millions of people?

"Attacking the North" and "killing millions of people" are not phrases that are irrevocably linked together. YOU have created something approaching a straw man argument by asserting that such a result "killing millions of people" MUST result if North Korea is "attacked".

It ain't necessarily so.

[driftdiver]

“And the society which created such horrific conditions is one in which you believe we should avoid war at all costs?”

No, I’m saying will make it worse. Its not your decision to decide they should die for freedom, its theirs. The north and the south have decided they want a peaceful resolution.

“I understand human nature, and it is basically the same no matter the ethnic face upon it.”

No, you don’t.

“You don’t get much more hopeless than the current ‘juche’ society of North Korea, led by their Number One Juche Bag, Kim Jong Il.”

So because you can’t stand Kim thumbing his nose at the US you think its better to risk the lives of millions. You haven’t mentioned a word about any other alternatives despite changing your story.

“Say, I thought you said you were done with me? LOL”

What can I say, I have trouble ignoring someone who think its a good idea to kill millions of people.

[mkjessup]

“You don’t think those long range missiles Kim is working on are a potential threat to the U.S.?”
Sure they would be if he had them and if they worked.

In case you missed it, North Korea has an ongoing missile test program, including long range versions. Perhaps you think we should wait until one of those missiles takes out a U.S. city before we get concerned?

I’m talking about the very real threat to South Korea and Japan. Destruction of those two countries would have a severe impact on our economy.

South Korea would certainly suffer some damage if the Korean War turns 'hot' again. Japan, not so much. Sounds like Kim Jong Il has done a good job of spooking you.

[driftdiver]

“LMAO! Welllll now, why don’t you review the Clinton-Albright years, PLUS the GWB years, and how they appeased and kow towed to North Korea, and ask that question again, ok? ;)”

This isn’t Silverado. Those things were paid largely as a humanitarian effort.

“”Attacking the North” and “killing millions of people” are not phrases that are irrevocably linked together”

Prove it. He has the military, he has the artillery, he has the chemical weapons, he has the biological weapons, he has the will to use them. He MAY have nukes.

Prove that a single attack can be successful and won’t result in the deaths of millions. Put some effort into it besides wagging your tongue.

[mkjessup]

It’s common practice and polite to copy both people.
BTW he’s doing crappy job.

Ahhh mama san, not so crappy that you don't keep coming back for more, lol

[mkjessup]

“Say, I thought you said you were done with me? LOL”
What can I say, I have trouble ignoring someone who think its a good idea to kill millions of people.

You haven't proven that millions of people would die. All you're doing is engaging in fearmongering.

[mkjessup]

“LMAO! Welllll now, why don’t you review the Clinton-Albright years, PLUS the GWB years, and how they appeased and kow towed to North Korea, and ask that question again, ok? ;)”
This isn’t Silverado. Those things were paid largely as a humanitarian effort.

You mean like that 'humanitarian' light water reactor?

It is becoming more clear that YOU are the one who doesn't know their history very well.

[driftdiver]

“South Korea would certainly suffer some damage if the Korean War turns ‘hot’ again. Japan, not so much. Sounds like Kim Jong Il has done a good job of spooking you.”

So your justification is that Kim is a threat to the United States, a country at least 10,000 miles away. But he isn’t a threat to Japan, a country a few hundred miles away.

yeah, that sounds logical.

“some damage” = MILLIONS of people in South Korea. The city of Seoul has over 16 million people and is within artillery range of the North.

Tokyo is within range of his rockets.

Los Angelas, San Fran, Seattle are out of range for anything Kim currently has.

[mkjessup]

Los Angelas, San Fran, Seattle are out of range for anything Kim currently has.

But of course, ignore the threat until it is actually on our doorstep. Right.

As for Seoul and Tokyo, will they suffer greater damage in a hypothetical war that breaks out today, or say, in a couple more years?

[SW6906]

"It’s common practice and polite to copy both people."

Don't tell me how to respond, newbie! ;o)

[jhpigott]

The ONLY news I’ve heard about this incident aside from the OP was a weird bit on NPR this morning stating that the envoy for NK showed up unexpectedly in SK today for emergency talks they didn’t got into details.

Have either of you heard anything about an NK envoy in SK today for unspecified emergency talks??

[Gay State Conservative]

Their currency is being devalued? What...from 10 billion to the dollar to 11 billion to the dollar?

[driftdiver]

I’ll tell you when you are rude, if you don’t like it then ignore me.

[driftdiver]

“But of course, ignore the threat until it is actually on our doorstep. Right.”

Not launching an attack does not equal ignoring the threat. There are other alternatives.

“As for Seoul and Tokyo, will they suffer greater damage in a hypothetical war that breaks out today, or say, in a couple more years?”

Well since their leadership and citizens don’t wish to take that chance right now who are you to impose your desire for their deaths?

Ideally there would be no war. I know that greatly disappoints your bloodlust.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Yes, he landed in Seoul and was hurriedly ushered into a limo and sped off. They say he and S. Korean counterpart would have meetings in air-tight secrecy.

I hope it is not about opening a diplomatic liaison office in Pyongyang.

[driftdiver]

Found this article on the same topic of the post. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/15e319e8-dea0-11de-adff-00144feab49a,dwp_uuid=319b98a6-0c1a-11db-86c7-0000779e2340.html?nclick_check=1

“Won 1,000 notes could be exchanged for 10 new won”

They also put an upper limit at the exchange without an investigation into the money’s source.

[Fee]

The key player is China. If China refuses to support sanctions, the US and even UN is helpless. Nobody wants a war in a geographicly sensitive area, because no one can predict the outcome. China will support the current regime and if it collapses, China will move in, stabilize the situation and replace it with a new pro China government. Korea will continue to be divided. War or no war, China gets to move their border up to the 38th parallel.
I agree with you about the poor NK people. Unfortunately this is not the first time where innocent people are crushed by the forces of geography and history.

[jhpigott]

given the recent news of the currency devaluation and what AiT reported vis-a-vi the increase in NK Military alert level I think it would be just as likely the unscheduled visit by the NK envoy would be related to that