do you consider North Korea a threat to the Western World?

Question

With the recent threat of nuclear attacks whats your opinion?

Answer 1

Let's see...

Rogue state? Check.
Selling weapon technology to other rogue states? Check.
Nuclear capable? Check.

Seems pretty clear that NK is a threat to the entire world, the Western World included. Japan certainly seems to think so.

Answer 2

As far as an actual attack, it is probably unlikely....if Bush will agree to a one on one negotiation. The big problem is that the US has tried to strangle the country since the Korean War as the finessed us there with both Soviet and Chinese aid, and being vengeful, we forced the UN to apply sanctions that hurt any attempt to normalize relations. The Korean War was prompted mainly by the State Department, not the military as they needed to shore up the poor administration of Sygnman Rhee and also as was written in 1947, that US abandoment of South Korea would be interpreted by the world as a sign of weakness in Asia and thusly leaving Japan, the Ryuku Islands, Taiwan and the Philippines unprotected. The UN became involved so that the US could withdraw to prevent a debacle in Korea. But politics came into play and because the US dominated the General Assembly, Stalin opposed the UN intervention in Korea, which pave the way to the division of the country. Many of the North Koreans had been trained by the Russians and had fought alongside Chinese but the South had only a rag-tag army and when we moved finally to help them, the war began, the UN became more involved and sanctions applied. At one time Japan controlled Korea, broke many of the sanctions and are now a foe of NK. But that's all past history. However, those old ties with China and Russia remain along with mutual defensive treaties, and if the US retaliates with bombs, both China and Russia would be drawn into the conflict and the war would escalate rapidly. China with an army of about 300,000,000 men (the population of the US) and with technology almost as good, along with Russian planes and weapons, the US would lose....but everyone would lose. It is time for Bush to re-think his options. For North Korea, the talks represent a lot. Face is very important in Asia and a face to face means that they are being treated with respect...but a six way meeting is like a school boy being shamed in front of his class.

Answer 3

no. if you've been paying attention to the recent news reports, north korea's "closest" ally china, has even supported sanctions against N.K. so realistically if N.K. started to cause military problems and off-set the regional peace. Japan and South korea will probably be hit first, but N.K. will have no "real" backing with China. So the nuclear deterrent is lessened. N.K. **Knows** if they move into S.K. or against Japan, the full might of the U.S. army will be in N.K. just like Iraq.

think of the dictator of N.K. as a young child growing up in the shadow of a much bigger and larger sibling (china). But to get autonomy and attention, N.K. (once in a while) waves the nuclear card. "if you don't give us what we want, we'll nuke you".. but seriously.. how many times have we heard THAT one?

nuclear capable, yes.

threat... ha! no... not at all in my opinion.

Answer 4

Im italian and i think the only peril for this world are U.s.a. and their allies. Not forget that the only country in the world that have used nuclear bombs is the u.s.a. the NordCorea need bomb for defence itself from the Bush amministration trying to attack all countryies that no have economic deal with them.

Answer 5

Yes. Anyone with nuclear weapons that dont like us pose a threat.

Answer 6

Well, I do know the North Korean Kim Chi is way hotter than the Kim Chi from the South.

Answer 7

Abso-friggin-loutely

Answer 8

They have a crazy leader and nuclear weapons. I think that makes them a threat!

Answer 9

Even with nuclear warheads, I didn't think they had the capability to fire them very far. All their missles are very limited range. They aren't much of a threat to us in the Americas... Yet. But when a small problem is getting bigger you nip it the but early right?

Answer 10

more so than Iran. America can not go to war with N.korea because just like last time China will join them.
Between N.Korea and china they have over 10 million troops.