North Korea's problems

[Ed Evanhoe <gangster@korean-war.com>]

At 09:11 AM 12/9/2001 -0600, you wrote:
>Being somewhat off-topic, why in the world would we want to start that mess
>again ????
>Glen

I can't see "we" (or us) starting this mess again and I don't think North 
Korea does either, at least any time soon.  However, there is solid 
information that North Korea has an active BW program, a stockpile of BW, 
several thousand tons of CW and a few -- at least two and possibly as many 
as twelve -- tactical nuclear weapons, plus missiles capable of delivering 
the CBR weapons to South Korea or Japan and in the not-too-distant future, 
the United States. In the hands of a stable, reasonable government this 
would not pose a serious problem for the U.S. and the rest of the world.

North Korea is not a stable, reasonable country.  It is an economic basket 
case with the current leadership holding on to power through 
cradle-to-grave indoctrination of the masses that all their troubles are 
the fault of the United States and/or South Korea, as well as through 
quick, brutal, internal suppression of anyone/any group who questions the 
party line: There have been a number of unreported-in-the-media incidents 
in the past few years, some involving entire small villages looting food 
depots, etc as well as criminal gangs doing the same to supply the growing 
black market.

In the past they have been able to redirect anger about internal failings 
toward the United States and/or South Korea by blaming their (the North 
Korean government's) failings on the U.S. and South Korea.  As long as they 
had complete control over information coming into North Korea from the 
outside world, this worked but they no longer have complete control of 
information, mainly due to their need for trade and because of the famine.

In other words, the government's hold on the people is slipping and this 
poses a serious problem for the current North Korean leadership and, in 
turn, for the rest of the world.  If the internal discontent becomes too 
bad, the major fear by the U.S. is North Korea's leadership might try to 
keep power by attacking the south, hoping for a quick victory and, thus, a 
strong bargaining position.  But to be successful, it is almost certain 
they would use some, or all, of their CBR inventory -- most likely only 
their CW while using bio and nuclear weapons as threats to Japan, the U.S. 
and the rest of the world. It is also likely they would use their CBR 
inventory if they were losing, or if they were attacked.

The bottom line to this is the United States, and the world, are in a real 
"Catch 22" situation, and with few viable options.

Regards

Ed




Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523-0916
Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
Life Member: Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
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