The recent development: an international panel has concluded that a North Korean torpedo (Korea Herald) sunk the Cheonan.
What are the South's options (BBC), what will the rest of the world do (NYT), and most importantly: what will this mean for me?My analysis is that the South is too concerned with its own economic position to risk a hot war, so it will avoid a military provocation at all costs -- which is comfort to those of us living in the shadow of the North. So far, though the story has been all over the news here for months, the public seems calm and it hasn't affected daily life.
North Korea has threatened war if punished, but it has been pointed out that the North regularly threatens all-out war in response to provocations, and that it knows that it ultimately could not succeed in war.
So, I suspect (and hope) that life will move on. The media are certainly looking at all aspects - who could forget that this will be an election issue (KH)?
We've been following north/south relations since the sinking of the South Korean ship. It's grown now from a slight concern to a worry. Thanks for your links. We expect you'll follow the affair and the election pretty closely and let us know what you figure is going to happen. And leave if war seems likely. much love
ReplyDeleteIt's certaily different watching world events unfold so far away when you have such a direct connection and vested interest with a kid in the vacinity! The 'skirmishes' we often hear about in the West suddenly don't seem so far away...
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself!
Dad
Keep us up to date on this news from your perspective. We are following it in the news here.
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