The Current Conundrum of North Korea

It is no surprise that the country of North Korea had been fairly unknown to the average American before 2002.  They first entered the world political scene when President Bush announced many of the organizations that supported terrorism (Bush, 2002).  To the informed, it was not so surprising that, given its history, it became one of the world’s most dangerous countries.  But to many throughout the world Kim Jong-Il and his regime came in a seemingly arbitrary manner.  The country was small and relatively unknown.  Although a neo-communist country, its government is not what is the most threatening to the world.  The threat lies in the fact that the North is quite possibly on the verge of collapse.  Consequently, they are more than willing to go to extremes in order to keep their government and country alive and operating.  But there is a factor that plays a larger part than the nuclear weapons they wield.

North Korea is bordered by two countries, China and South Korea.  They received the largest portion through the Chinese government.  South Korea has been at odds with the North since 1945.  In fact, they have yet to sign a peace settlement, which means, technically, the North and South are still at war.  The United States played an integral part in the reconstruction of the South after the Korean War.  Therefore, the United States is largely interwoven within the South Korean economy.  The military position and strength of the South combined with the efforts the United States could easily end the North’s oppressive regime by means conventional warfare.  But if this were to happen, China would be obligated to support the North because of their mutual alliance.  But the U.S. is already in two theatres.  And because enrollment in the military is still relatively low, creating a third war, regardless of a withdrawal from Iraq, would exacerbate the already fatigued military.  If for any reason the North Korean regime would suddenly fall, China, South Korea and the United States would all be constrained to raising the funds necessary to reestablish the North as a new nation-state.  In addition to the costs, China and South Korea would face an influx of an inconceivable amount of people seeking refuge and assistance (Jensen, 2010).  If this were the situation, South Korea would seek the assistance of the United States.  Because the South does not have access to the resources needed to support such a tragedy, it would become the job of the U.S. to step in and coordinate the efforts to restructure the North.

Although the problem of North Korea could be remedied with a U.S.-funded coup de tat, the recruiting efforts would make it an impossible task.  Since 1945, Korea has been governed by Kim Il-sung and then his son Kim Jong-Il.  The plans have already been put into effect for the son of Kim Jong-Il, Kim Jong-un, to be in power.  The way the people of the North are governed is nothing new.  Following the lead of Soviet-style governance, the North teaches their citizens from childhood that their ruler is their Supreme Being and that adherence to the ideals of North Korean communism is how the leaders are to be worshipped.  In such a regime, there is nothing allowed that requires the love and devotion of the individual because it, in essence, limits their love and devotion toward the goals of the North Korean communist government.  The most prominent concern for China, South Korea and the U.S. is that this type of oppression keeps the citizens oppressed through fear and indoctrination.  Therefore, a regime change by means of subversion would be nearly impossible because of the forged love and devotion the North Korean people have for their regime.  Moreover, the rising up of those who wish to disband would face the task of recruiting those who are terrified of the repercussions if they are caught in the act.

Thus the U.S. faces the dilemma to either pay for most of the restructuring if the North collapses or risk a nuclear attack if it chooses to invade on the justification of the “G-word” (genocide) – a subject known widely as taboo within the State Department.  If the U.S. tries to keep the North from collapsing by leaving them alone, then it is quite possible that they would attempt to intimidate the rest of the world by flaunting their nuclear capabilities and intent to harm.  Another significant factor is that Kim Jong-Un, the current leader’s son, has been appointed as the country’s military leader.  This suggests that along with his inheritance of the national throne, he will also be crowned as its military leader.  This has not happened with any of the prior leaders.  Thus there has been a great deal of attention drawn on finding a solution before it becomes too late and the world is faced with either another catastrophe or genocide.  But either way, the situation continues to remain serious.

Works Cited

Jensen, Dr. Erik N. "HST 296: World History Since 1945." How post-Cold War are We? Oxford, Ohio, December 1, 2010.

Bush, George W. "State of the Union Address" Washington, D.C., January 29, 2002.

The Central Intelligence Agency. CIA: World Fact Book. November 09, 2010. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html (accessed December 04, 2010).