N. Korea Hides Behind China
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During the Korean War and after so-called “U.N. forces” beat back an invading Communist army, American and allied fighters tried to take over North Korea.
As soon as these troops crossed the border from South to North Korea, Chinese troops crossed the Yellow River into North Korea. They forced these mostly American soldiers back to the 38th parallel, where the war had begun.
The Chinese assembled an army so massive that the former supreme Allied commander of all forces in Europe, newly inaugurated President Eisenhower, accepted an armistice devoid of victory.
Next, in the 1960s and 1970s, China provided the logistics to defeat the United States in Indochina. By the spoils of war, China has come to control the Northern Korean peninsula with its “bamboo curtain” in the same way the Soviet Union controlled Eastern Europe with “iron.” But what is behind China’s “bamboo curtain,” namely North Korea, is more dangerous to the security of the United States than anything ever held behind a Soviet drape.
Today, North Korea threatens America with nuclear attack. But North Korea figuratively lies behind China’s “great wall.” As soon as the first American soldier crosses the 38th parallel, China would surely cross the Yellow River. And, given its experience with a less sophisticated Chinese war machine in Korea and Indochina, American defeat, absent use of a nuclear bomb, would be, again, probable.
So what can America do when a small schoolboy like North Korea’s Kim Jong-un makes a threat with his big brother backing him up? Do we just confuse him with a visit from an infamous basketball joke like Dennis Rodman?
If China wants to play the superpower game, it must be responsible not only for its actions, but also for the actions of those it protects. We must not just hold the schoolboy to account — we must hold his big brother responsible, too.
The imposition of international trade sanctions against a country like North Korea, which has little or no trade anyway, is an empty gesture. The fact that China, from time to time, agrees with North Korean sanctions is also irrelevant. Such things make the West feel good, but do not make the Pyongyang regime feel bad enough to change its ways.
Because China has effectively curtailed American power in East Asia, it must be held responsible for the result. In the case of North Korea, big brother China must allow the United States to use its covert intelligence agencies to destabilize and eventually eliminate a North Korean government that threatens world peace.
Alternatively, the Chinese could do this job themselves. But if China fails to stop North Korea from seeking international Armageddon, it must suffer similar sanctions to that of its protectorate.
Currently, China trades with the United States, the world’s largest consumer market, on almost the same basis as Europe. But that must be a prize given only to those who greet this international trade with international responsibility. Those who protect our enemies should not be given any more aid and comfort than our enemies themselves.
International trade sanctions can make a rich nation poor and perhaps persuade some countries to change. But placing trade sanctions on a country with no legitimate trade and no real economy cannot change anything. Sanctions are based upon taking away something. America cannot take away that which an adversary does not have.
On the other hand, China has a lot to lose. Its trade with the United States is a major basis of China’s wealth. Tariffs on its goods would badly hurt the Chinese economy and the monopoly of the Chinese Communist Party.
We cannot take lightly the threats from North Korea. Neither can we take lightly the fact that North Korea finds its courage behind a Chinese skirt.
For many years, North Korea refused to talk to South Korea. It claimed that South Korea was America’s puppet and only talked to the United States. Now, America must take a hint from the North Korean “playbook.” Our sole contact for relations with North Korea ought to be China.
And China, in addition to North Korea, must be held responsible for the actions of its protectorate.
Robert M. Levy is chairman of the Moore County Republican Party. Contact him at Law52@prodigy.net.
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Comments
JimHeim 2 months ago
Excellent idea, Bob. Let's take action against our second biggest trading partner and holder of billions in our IOUs. Not to mention the second largest economy in the world. No doubt they're worried sick about it.
Have you checked with Walmart in this? Without Chinese products to sell, they'd be left peddling vegetables from Mexico and fruit from Central America. I doubt they'd remain our biggest private employer for long. Sure hope your plan works quickly. And exactly what is your plan?
Toda 2 months ago
Good points Jim ~ Protectorate is the operative word in Mr. Levy's analysis of the 1950's Indochinese war. If we put our relationship in perspective, the only country that would suffer the effects of a Chinese embargo, would be the US of A. China could just call in their markers bankrupt this country.
JimHeim 2 months ago
I'm still wondering why we divided Korea. As with Vietnam (which we also divided into north and south) the outcome wasn't too good.
Come to think of it, the folks who divided this country into North and South didn't fare too well either. Maybe division's not a good thing.
Themis 2 months ago
My dad was with Douglas MacArthur in Korea and said until the day he died that we should have went right on up through China and cleaned out that rat's nest. He always said we played too nice in that war. Since then we have spent billions worrying about them.
I'll say what many won't, when you have a bug that keeps coming around you squash it. We should have made them a big hole in the earth long ago. Their Political creed and threats are of no use to anyone. It always has always bothered me that some little dog is going to be the first to push the button and start WW3 when the big dogs get into the game. They're just watching us bleed our resources and manpower in the Middle East waiting for the chance to start something.
by Themis
Toda 2 months ago
Several years ago, one of our diplomats was discussing China's position on North Korea; a veiled threat was offered to the Chinese Ambassador. The Ambassador retorted, "you do know we have nuclear capabilities as well!"
Courseaire 2 months ago
Obama was busy making a movie about the Bible and played a significant role.
JD 2 months ago
North Korea is nothing but kabuki theatre. Grand standing while on a ledge. Let's just cut off the food we send them, medical aid, and leave them to China. Already China is distancing themselves from the North.
Where's Nezumi when you want to hear from him?
AFCHIEF 2 months ago
Heimy, I bet the people of South Korea don't think it was a bad idea to divide Korea. But then again Obama and his gang loved Chavez also.
Toyboy52 2 months ago
Jim Heim illustrates good point. He does not want us to sanction China for fear that they will not lend us the money he wants to continue the deficit indefinitely and fund the welfare state. By not having the financial ability to stand up to Red China and continuing a deficit that requires their participation we are left to fighting a war over American air space against missiles launched from North Korea.
Jim, no one can outline a blue print for "surrender" better than a liberal defending the Welfare State
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
afchief - How would you know. What is it that makes southern people superior top those in the north?
Why do you suppose we divided the country? Why do you suppose we installed the Japanese who occupied Korea during the war to run the new country? What do you think the locals thought of that? What kind of liberation is it when the new guys install the old guys to rule?
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Toyboy - I had no idea Walmart ran the new welfare state.
So what's your plan? By what magic do you suppose we can bring another nuclear power to heel?
The deficit with China has to do with our buying more from them than we sell back. That's it. There is no relationship with federal deficits. Trying to make an equivalence is dishonest.
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Themis - It's reassuring that we still have someone willing to slaughter the millions to take out a few.
AFCHIEF 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Heimy are you that ignorant to think people in North Korea are better off than the South.
Answer this simple question, when was the last time you heard of anyone from South Korea trying to break into North Korea to have a better life
Guess people in Cuba are also better off.
geoffcutler 1 month, 4 weeks ago
"Jim, no one can outline a blue print for "surrender" better than a liberal defending the Welfare State" Tboy
Brilliance! I would only quibble with the word "surrender" and replace it with "failure."
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Okay, geoff, tell me your plan. How do you intend for us to neutralize the North Korean 'threat?'
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
afchief - What moron said the North Koreans are better of than their South Korean counterparts. I can't wait to hear.
dustyrhoades 1 month, 4 weeks ago
But then again Obama and his gang loved Chavez also.
Only in your deranged fantasies, Chief.
"The most important thing is to remember that the future of Venezuela should be in the hands of the Venezuelan people. We've seen from Chavez in the past authoritarian policies, suppression of dissent." Can't you just feel the love?
dustyrhoades 1 month, 4 weeks ago
What moron said the North Koreans are better of than their South Korean counterparts.
You know better than to think you're going to get an answer, right?
Nezumi 1 month, 4 weeks ago
JD, Nezumi here, reappearing on queue...
I would really like to know what the meetings are like between the Chinese oligarchs and the North Korean emissaries. While in front of the cameras they are all smiles, handshakes, and proclamations of eternal friendship, I suspect there is a lot of acrimony once the meeting room doors close.
My belief is that if the North Koreans were about to do something really crazy, as in nuke South Korea or Japan, or attempt crossing the 38th, China would intervene, invade the north, and install a strongman more pliant to China's wishes. It's been done in Asia successfully (Hun Sen in Cambodia) and it would solve a lot of their problems. They'd then start opening up the economy, improve the standard of living in the North, and the national division would endure. If they completely turn off the taps of oil, trade, etc. as many believe China should do, a resulting collapse could lead to reunification under the leadership of the South, which China absolutely does not want.
That's just my $0.02.
LSM 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance Between the People's Republic of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. July 11, 1967 http://www.marxists.org/subject/china/documents/china_dprk.htm
Part of this reads “determined, in accordance with Marxism-Leninism and the principle of proletarian internationalism and on the basis of mutual respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity,”
One needs to remember the treaties that formed opposing sides for World War One and then World War Two. Treaties between Countries are seldom broken, and often pull these countries into unwanted conflicts. The Asian Countries, especially the Communist, have a completely different philosophy of war than the West. They will fight to win.
AFCHIEF 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Heim an DR, if you guys are so in love with N Korea why don't you walk on across the DMZ and get a first hand look. Been to the DMZ and it is quite the experience. Plus by walking across the DMZ you'll get a first hand look at border security.
Nezumi 1 month, 4 weeks ago
I think if the choice for the Chinese was: option 1) abide by their treaty and support N. Korea in a ruinous war with South Korea and the USA, leading to destruction of the regime and unification under South Korea with a US presence up to the Yalu, or, option 2) ignore the treaty in the name of preventing disaster, intervene and conduct their own version of regime change, and solve a lot of their N.Korean problems - I'd say they would go for option 2.
Despite what they call themselves, and despite the Leninist structure of the government, the Chinese don't really believe in Socialism, much less Communism anymore. They just want to hold onto power. Marxism-Leninism for most Chinese is a reminder of a disastrous 27 years under Mao, and most, especially the younger generation, don't believe in it. An anecdotal example: a recent movie about the life of a Chinese Socialist hero: Lei Feng, had nearly zero ticket sales. Whatever China does about the N.Korean situation will be driven by their desire for maintaining a divided Korea, and keeping the North from collapsing or being conquered by the US, not ideology.
Nezumi 1 month, 4 weeks ago
AFChief, did you go down to one of the infiltration tunnels? That was a very surreal experience for me.
AFCHIEF 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Nez, never made it to the tunnels, that would have been cool
Thatcher 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Nezumi (48 min. ago)-- Great post! I believe you are again correct. Cheers!
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
afchief - You really need to have your meds checked.
At no time have I given my opinion of North Korea or its leaders. That's not the topic here.
The letter's author thinks that the US needs to disrupt trade with China to presure them to rein in Korea's boy-king. I don't see how that's going to work. Worse, I see it disrupting our own economy costing jobs and economic growth.
So, you tell me, how is this sanction thing against China supposed to work? What downsides do you see? How long will it take? What sanctions do you think will be effective? What is the desired outcome?
When you can intelligently answer those questions, I'll listen.
Nezumi 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Thanks, Thatcher - I can be quite long-winded when China is in the discussion!
Toyboy52 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Jim: Failure to hold North Korea accountable will result in a nuclear war with bombs falling on our trading partners Sputh Korea, Japan or the states of CAlifornia, Oregon and Washington. That will cost a few more jobs than holding China accountable.
By the way, your friends on Labor want tariffs on Chinese goods even without North Korean problems
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Toyboy - Do you have an actual idea for how to carry this off? Might China retaliate through its votes on the security council? Might they hamper trade with us? Will Walmart find a new business model in time to stay in business?
It's easy to sound an alarm; for conservatives fear is a constant companion. But coming up with a workable solution doesn't seem to be part of the exercise. That's a problem.
And so far those guys can't launch a nuke and they can barely hit the Pacific with one of their missiles. My friends and family on the west coast are safe from Kim's tantrums.
JD 1 month, 4 weeks ago
This is now a Nezumi thread. Time to take notes kids.
Nezumi 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Appreciate the compliment, JD, but I'm still just a beginner...
Toyboy52 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Jim; When America is hit with a Nuclear Bomb it will most likely not come on a missile. It will be freighted by diplomatic pouch and planted in the United States. It will also not be easy to trace. My professors in college knew that in the 1970's. Armageddon is closer than we think. A little trade war with China is more preferable to a nuclear holocaust.
Nezumi 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Toyboy - the problem is that a portable nuke could come from Iran eventually, Pakistan, North Korea, or possibly poorly-guarded old Soviet stockpiles. We'd indeed have a hard time proving the source. But it's not a new idea, James Burke started out one of his Connections episodes with just such a scenario: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBCosT...
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
wdd - Well, what's your plan?
JimHeim 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Toyboy - I wonder how you sleep at night? Do you guys check under the bed before climbing in?
I begin to see why my horse will jump out of his skin at a falling leaf. He can't comprehend the difference between that and an actual predator. Apparently, its a common affliction.
At the end of the day you have nothing to worry about. Our second amendment buffs are armed to the teeth and will protect us from all enemies - foreign and domestic. Rest easy.
Toda 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Nuclear threats by Iran and North Korea are just chest thumping. Like the worlds 10 worst plagues, a genetically engineered bacteria, botulism, or some other resistant special pathogens virus would create massive deaths without nuclear fallout.
Nezumi 1 month, 4 weeks ago
North Korea has a long history of threats: http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-north-korea-threats-to-south-2013-3?op=1 Despite the bellicose rhetoric, North Korea's interest in nukes is regime preservation, not in suicidal large-scale attacks against South Korea, Japan, or the US.
Nezumi 1 month, 4 weeks ago
By the way, the same guys in North Korea who make propaganda about nuking its enemies must be video game fans, since they ripped-off "Elder Scrolls: Oblivion" music. http://goo.gl/nMuNb