Rumors and reports are growing that Kim Jong Un has been overthrown as the leader of North Korea. Some of the reports say that Pyongyang is under lock down with no one allowed to enter or leave the city. This measure is one taken only at times of greatest stress, like a coup d'état. No one seems to know who is in charge right now. Some say that it is Kim Jong Un's sister who has taken control. Others assign control to a faceless body atop the Communist Party. Still others simply accept the story told by North Korean media to explain Kim's absence from public view for most of the last month, namely that he has undergone surgery on his ankle.
I have no idea what to believe. Kim Jong Un may still be in control, or he may be dead. The military of North Korea including, but not limited to the North Korean nuclear forces may be operating under the firm control of Kim Jong Un or his successor, or those forces may be very much on their own. The North Koreans have a huge military arsenal and one of the largest armies in the world. North Korea could attack South Korea and take Seoul within days should that attack proceed successfully. Nearly 30,000 American troops are on the border between North and South Korea, so any renewal of hostilities would mean immediate American casualties and participation in the fighting. In other words, this is one of the most dangerous areas in the world for the USA. But then you need to add that the North Koreans also have nuclear weapons and missiles to launch them. Right now, the NK's could use those missiles to hit nearby countries, particularly Japan and South Korea. We believe that the missiles needed to hit the USA are not yet ready, but the North Koreans have been working on them diligently. Hawaii and parts of Alaska may be within range of Pyongyang, but no one really knows for sure. If North Korea is taken over by yet another crazy dictator who decides that the time has come for military action, we could be on the edge of a nuclear catastrophe.
If North Korea erupts into chaos now, America will have to respond under the leadership of president Obama. What will Obama do if the NK's begin making threats against the south or against Japan? What would it take for Obama to stand up to the NK's? Will we get speeches and nothing else? And if the North uses its nuclear weapons against Seoul or Tokyo will we be told later by Obama that he got bad info from the intelligence agencies?
This may all be a false alarm. I certainly hope so. There are enough problems in the world already. We certainly don't need yet another crazy in power, particularly one armed with nuclear forces.
On the other hand, wouldn't it be wonderful if Kim were overthrown by a moderate faction that brings friendship, openness and disarmament to Pyongyang? That sort of switch would best be described as miraculous.
I have no idea what to believe. Kim Jong Un may still be in control, or he may be dead. The military of North Korea including, but not limited to the North Korean nuclear forces may be operating under the firm control of Kim Jong Un or his successor, or those forces may be very much on their own. The North Koreans have a huge military arsenal and one of the largest armies in the world. North Korea could attack South Korea and take Seoul within days should that attack proceed successfully. Nearly 30,000 American troops are on the border between North and South Korea, so any renewal of hostilities would mean immediate American casualties and participation in the fighting. In other words, this is one of the most dangerous areas in the world for the USA. But then you need to add that the North Koreans also have nuclear weapons and missiles to launch them. Right now, the NK's could use those missiles to hit nearby countries, particularly Japan and South Korea. We believe that the missiles needed to hit the USA are not yet ready, but the North Koreans have been working on them diligently. Hawaii and parts of Alaska may be within range of Pyongyang, but no one really knows for sure. If North Korea is taken over by yet another crazy dictator who decides that the time has come for military action, we could be on the edge of a nuclear catastrophe.
If North Korea erupts into chaos now, America will have to respond under the leadership of president Obama. What will Obama do if the NK's begin making threats against the south or against Japan? What would it take for Obama to stand up to the NK's? Will we get speeches and nothing else? And if the North uses its nuclear weapons against Seoul or Tokyo will we be told later by Obama that he got bad info from the intelligence agencies?
This may all be a false alarm. I certainly hope so. There are enough problems in the world already. We certainly don't need yet another crazy in power, particularly one armed with nuclear forces.
On the other hand, wouldn't it be wonderful if Kim were overthrown by a moderate faction that brings friendship, openness and disarmament to Pyongyang? That sort of switch would best be described as miraculous.
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