The absoultely worse part of the situation at the moment is that nothing in the Slate article is "news" to the current government in South Korea, and yet when the North set off it's recent missile tests the South Korean government was more angry at Japan's response to the provocation than it was with the North.
Their fellow Koreans are starving, in chains and exist as mere property of the dictator in the North, yet they do not want to "offend" him. If ever there was a free and democratic nation on a course of national suicide, it is South Korea.
"and yet when the North set off it's recent missile tests the South Korean government was more angry at Japan's response to the provocation than it was with the North."
Thats because of two things IMO. One, South Koreans and North Koreans still consider themselves to be Koreans. its not denial of what happens its the fact they still have family on both sides. Second, the Japanese ruled Korea for many years and were EXTREMELY brutal. Most Koreans I have met strongly dislike Japan.
"Their fellow Koreans are starving, in chains and exist as mere property of the dictator in the North, yet they do not want to "offend" him. If ever there was a free and democratic nation on a course of national suicide, it is South Korea."
Who stands the biggest risk of dying if Kim Jung Mentally Ill goes off the deep end? Its the South Koreans so I'd give them a little lee way on how they want to handle the situation. Most people that I've talked to over there also believe a peaceful reunification can be accomplished.
From what I've been reading and hearing the leftist Roh govt. is getting no support from most Koreans on this matter, or much of anything else. They think the govt. should stand with the US/Japan side, not the commies.