Relations+with+North+Korea

John Hacking

__North Korean Background__ North Korea today has one of the most authoritarian societies in the world today. This is largely due to the leader in power in North Korea. Kim Jong-Il is currently the "supreme leader," and makes himself virtually untouchable. He is the leader of one of the most prominent Communist governments across the globe. Kim Jong-Il was reelected as a result of the biased representation, as had been pre-guarenteed. The Communist regime in power only allows strong members of the party to run for election, much like the electoral situation in Poland before the Solidarity Movement. He has been the chairman of the National Defense Commission since October 8, 1997. The position was later named to be the highest position of the state in 1998. It is he who propelled North Korea towards military and nuclear power. An important value of North Korea seems to be isolation. North Korea isolates itself by keeping its alliances to a very minimal. The allies that they do have are questionable, and are for the most part not allies with the United States. Main allies of North Korea include China, Russia, and Iran. Through these allies, North Korea attempts to improve their military through nuclear expansion.

__1. General North Korean Nemesis__ Possibly North Korea’s most prominent nemesis is also one of United States’ most prominent allies, South Korea. The tensions are clear between the two Koreas since the division between the two in 1953. The separation came as a result of the Korean war which stemmed from the end of World War II. This division has led to a rivalry between the two, and the stakes have been greatly increased within the last three years.

Throughout the last three years, North Korea has been expanding their nuclear power greatly, further isolating itself from the rest of the world. On May 25, 2009, North Korea claimed to have tested a nuclear bomb with a similar power to the bomb the United States’ bombing of Hiroshima. It is through allegations such as these that North Korea creates a rift between it and the rest of the world at an international scale.

[|North Korea Attacks South Korean Island] On November 23, 2010, North Korea fired artillery shells at the South Korean island Yeonpyeong. The island of Yeonpyeong is clearly claimed by South Korea, however it lies in disputed waters. The waters are so disputed that the islands have been tarnished by violence before. Just recently in 2009, South Korea had set a North Korean naval ship on fire. The blast on November 23 killed two South Korean soldiers and two civilians, while wounded twenty others. The attack came "days after it emerged that North Korea was pressing ahead with its illegal nuclear program."

Multiple countries released press quotes to the world internationally regarding their standpoint:

South Korea: After an attack on a naval ship killing 46 South Koreans, the South Korean President Lee stated, "We have always tolerated North Korea's brutality, time and again...We did so because we have always had a genuine longing for peace on the Korean Peninsula. But now things are different. North Korea will pay a price corresponding to its provocative acts." South Korea warned of "enormous retaliation" after the attack on November 23.

China: "We hope the relevant parties do more to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula...The situation needs to be verified"

US: President Obama "vowed a unified and measured response with other major powers."

North Korea: It appears that the attack was in retaliation for South Korea conducting naval exercises in waters near the island. Therefore, North Korea does not show remorse for their actions.

In addition to the attack of South Korea which upsets the United States, North Korea continues to disappoint the UN. Despite the UN defiance to North Korea's nuclear program, the country continues to run tests. The country ran two tests in 2009 alone. It was in April of 2009 that North Korea officially announced itself as a "fully fledged nuclear power," and continued to run tests in May of 2009. The test on the 25th of May is said to have caused a magnitude 4.7 seismic event.

Resulting from that event come not only more broken ties, but also lost lives, and potential retaliation. The Defense Secretary of South Korea resigned immediately the day of the strikes because it took him thirteen minutes to respond to the bombing. Also because of the bombing, US and South Korean military tests were held, as well as troops restationed on the island of Yeonpyeong, showing North Korea that the threat was being taken seriously. If they continued to act as they were, there would be serious repercussions. media type="youtube" key="A1ASdsBLm3E" height="390" width="640" __Kim Jong-Il in America__ The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Il is widely thought of as ill, and therefore ailing. US President Barack Obama believes it is necessary for he and the US to attempt to amend ties between thecountries. When Obama was elected President in November of 2008, he proposed a summit between the two world leaders. The South Korean president gave his approval of this event, by saying, "I wouldn't oppose Obama's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, as long as it helps lead North Korea to abandon its nuclear program."

President Obama continues with his word to attempt a diplomatic solution. However, he has also stated that if a North Korean threat or attack should arrise, the US military is fully prepared for any such contingencies. If proof is found that North Korea is illegally constructing nuclear weapons, President Obama vowed "significant, serious enforcement" of the law. In addition to President Obama's preparation of the US military regarding a potential attack by North Korea, he continues to speak with other allies regarding the situation. Allies included in talks are both Australia and England, who fully back the US and South Korea. The relations between the US and North Korea, and more specifically their leaders, continue to be tied with tensions and deceptions. All of these deceptions find their roots in nuclear warfare. In December of 2009, President Obama sent a personal letter to Kim Jong-Il, urging him to disarm his nuclear weapons. However, these requests have not been met, and it seems that the requests will continue to be ignored.

Works Cited Blackwell, Stephen. “North Korea Bombs South Korea, USA Overreacts Like Always.” //Death and Taxes//. N.p., 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. . Foster, Peter. “North Korea bombs South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island.” //The Telegraph//. N.p., 2011. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. . Gabbett, Adam. //Guardian//. N.p., 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2011. . “The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.” //Naval History and Heritage//. US Navy, 2011. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. . “Obama offers change Kim Jong-Il can believe in.” //World Tribune//. N.p., 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. .