By Mark David Blum, Esq.
In the ever springing forth hope in my heart; perhaps a member of Congress will hear me, turn over a new page (pun intended), and put the Korean issue to bed once and for all. I do not want to hear another word about North Korea or its potential threat. It is not my issue. Only remotely is North Korea’s possession of a nuclear weapon a threat to the United States. Only American pride seems the most at risk. Here in Syracuse, our risk of a North Korean attack directly upon us is so remote as to draw little more than a yawn from the fear mongering that now fills the 24 cable news chatter.
Almost forty thousand armed-to-the-teeth American soldiers stand watch on the 38th Parallel and patrol the world’s most dangerous and heavily mined parcel of real estate. I pay that bill. So do you. We have all been paying in blood and dollars for that 38th Parallel to be our line in the sand for almost sixty years. The line has not moved an inch. Neither has the diplomacy.
Ironic is it not comparing the situation with Iraq. Our patience is depleted after only three years of War; two of which have been a War of Attrition. Are we really prepared stand the wall between the militias in Iraq for the next half century just to keep these cousins from killing each other? Pshaw, say I. The American taxpayer has no such interest and gets no benefit.
North Korea is a problem for its neighbors. China, Australia, Japan, South Korea … these are the nations who have to find and implement a solution. As always we should stand ready to assist but North Korea is not our problem. At a minimum North Korea is a nuisance to us personally but presents a serious threat to her neighbors.
Perhaps in his world conquest, President Bush has decided to settle all of America’s scores. From the Iranians going back to the 444 days of the hostages, to Sadaam’s big mouth at the Kuwait invasion, to Israel and Hezbullah and the Palestinians, and to North Korea. Karl Rove promised the would “deliver” the 2006 election for the Republicans. He promised he would do so with a massive October surprise. Query whether the failure of the Bush diplomacy was in part intentional to provoke a well timed response by Dear Leader. Doing so would certainly drive up the American fear meter and perhaps deflect our attention away from the GOP and its PDA problems.
The alternative, of course, is to right now, go over and kick the living crap out of North Korea. Behead the government and let political democratic process take over. Not a drop of American blood need be shed; just a few flying birds. President Bush has constantly touted that if given the chance, people will always choose freedom over tyranny. So I say Mister President, either kill the sonovabitch and let the North Korean people choose … or move on. This decades-long game of cat and mouse is too expensive and gives us little to no benefit. Do it now, Mister President; now, before they become even more threatening. Whether the decision to attack is ultimately right, history will judge. But if your policy is to end the threats, then get off your butt and push the button already. Parking a few warships off the coast and zipping planes back and forth does nobody any good. Shock and awe that little big man back to the 18th century.
Our initial main investment in holding our position on the Korean peninsula was to sustain our own “wall” or line in the sand beyond which that “evil communism” was not going to spread. We have maintained that wall steadfastly since 1948. In Vietnam, there we too tried to draw a line but that experiment failed. The difference between the two is the people of South Korea actually supported our efforts. No matter how hard our government tries to sell us on a policy of invasion and gunboat political restructuring, if the move is not indigineously supported, we will fail every time.
Not long ago, Mr. Gorbachov tore down his wall. Now Mr. Bush, it is your turn. I call upon you to pack up the entire contingent of United States Military forces and equipment and bring them home. The cold war is over. Communism itself as a political ideology is not a threat. Terrorists are terrorists regardless of their god or paradigm. We the People of the United States have nothing to fear from North Korea or its political ideas.
It is likewise not imperative for us to maintain any kind of trigger or backup for South Korean troops should the North invade. South Korea and North Korea are one nation, one people, one language, divided by an American minefield and a form of government. Eventually these two peoples will merge and reunite in some form. For what good end do we still stand that wall?
We could have this same discussion about Cuba. Perhaps we will do so another day.
Today, the entire world is aflame in response to the continuing alleged nuclear detonation test by the North Koreans. Our President has already declared his intent to settle this with diplomacy though of course “nothing is off the table”. We have asked the United Nations to join us in inflicting economic and other sanctions against the North Korean government. Starving them and isolating them further always helps. Close down their trade and the North will have to yield.
Not so fast there, Dear Reader: While we and the rest of the world are appalled, incensed, shocked, dismayed, and totally perturbed about the nuclear test, … guess who of all nations is going to ignore the United Nations sanctions, go against the United States and her goals, and feed the North Korean government with hundreds of millions of dollars?
Let me quote: “The [South Korean] government has apparently decided to continue with two big inter-Korean business projects even if the UN Security Council adopts a resolution sanctioning North Korea over its purported nuclear test earlier this week.*” It is true. Our South Korean allies, for whom millions and millions of dollars and dreams have been donated through the largesse of the American taxpayer, intend to stick their finger right in our eye when we need them the most.
If South Korea feels it can proceed on its own and amend its relationship with its’ northern neighbor, then the whole world should rejoice. But, we American taxpayers have the right to have our warships, our planes, our troops, and our hardware all brought home. Obviously, they have worked it out. At a minimum, they have worked out a way to work it out. Our continuing presence makes us meddlers and could target the wrath of Little Kim in our direction …
… as it has in today’s Iraq.
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* The government has apparently decided to continue with two big inter-Korean business projects even if the UN Security Council adopts a resolution sanctioning North Korea over its purported nuclear test earlier this week, it emerged Wednesday. After reviewing the draft resolution, government officials concluded that it was not necessary to stop the Kaesong joint industrial complex and package tours to the North¡¯s Mt.Kumgang.
The two inter-Korean projects are a major cash cow for Pyongyang, and there are fears that continuing them would take much of the sting out of any UN sanctions.
But a government official here said the Security Council was likely to ban the transfer of money, goods and technology related to the development of weapons of mass destruction, but the two inter-Korean projects had nothing to do with WMDs. Seoul also did not halt the cross-border projects after North Korea¡¯s missile tests on July 5 and the subsequent Security Council resolution.
Seoul¡¯s position seems to retreat from President Roh Moo-hyun¡¯s remarks on Monday, immediately after North Korea said it tested a nuclear weapon, that the South¡¯s engagement policy with the North is in crisis. Roh then strongly hinted that the government would halt the two cross-border projects, saying the drastically changed situation put a considerable limit on South Korea¡¯s discretion. The remarks drew flak the next day from some ruling-party lawmakers and former president Kim Dae-jung, the architect of the so-called Sunshine Policy.
On Wednesday, however, the president highlighted the benefits of engagement with Pyongyang, saying the South¡¯s ¡°cool-headed response¡± to the nuclear test was a result of inter-Korean conciliatory efforts, exchanges and cooperation.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council reportedly agreed to a resolution condemning the North Korean nuclear test that invokes Chapter 7 of the UN charter, which permits coercive measures. The UNSC will refer to Chapter 7 for the first time since the first North Korean nuclear crisis in 1993. However, the council has reportedly decided not to invoke Article 42 of Chapter 7, which allows military action.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
