Posted on 05/16/2007 9:42:45 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
North Korean dissent ripples
By Richard Halloran
Published May 16, 2007
Whiffs of political dissent have come wafting out of North Korea, widely considered to be the world's most authoritarian and secretive state, giving rise to speculation that the iron grip of dictator Kim Jong-il may have been jarred loose.
The wreckage of North Korea's economy has been fairly well documented. Now, the critical question is whether the deprivations North Koreans have long suffered have led to political rumbles challenging Mr. Kim's harsh rule.
Bradley O. Babson, a former World Bank official who specializes in the North Korean economy, raised the question in a recent article as to whether North Korea might experience "an internal political breakdown that could be triggered by a coup, social unrest, or unforeseen incapacitation of Kim Jong-il's leadership."
The consequences of opposition to Mr. Kim could be several: He could become more determined, if that's possible, not to abandon his nuclear ambitions as demanded by the U.S., China and other powers as he claims that to be a major accomplishment. He could slow moves toward reconciliation with South Korea since that would entail surrendering his power to a more stable government.
And the potential for North Korean miscalculation can never be dismissed: Mr. Kim could launch an attack on South Korea and U.S. forces there out of desperation to rally his subjects by aiming them at an external enemy.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Ping!
OH OH Chia Pet going be roaney
So sad and ronery.
With current US troops placements and manning levels, what could we do about a DPRK move south, even if they did not use Nuc or Slime?
The old brief was DPRK victory and EOH in 96-120 hrs. Now?
If they invade, they will mount a massive terrorist operation, taking Seoul residents hostage with WMD's.
you see. being the most carbon neutral country on the planet does reduce the effects of global warming. someone with a big pulpit ought to use this information touting the benefits of global warming.
I don't think Kim will ever order the invasion of the south.
I found it interesting that food rationing has hit even the North Korean military.
Those are the people Kim Jong-il can least afford to alienate.
Over the years, I’ve heard unsubstantiated stories about revolts by smaller NK military units.
I wonder how much longer this will go on before Kim’s generals decide to pull the trigger...literally and figuratively.
Soviets thought.
DPRK reacts.
Sovs went home at night and listened to Tchaikovsky
DPRK goes home at night and listens to speeches of Lil’ Kim.
Sov Army command structure was very much Western. In fact, when Nixon was on way out and Sovs were worried that the madman would order a las gasp nuc strike on his old enemies the Communists, for last 20 days before resignation a member of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and member of the Sov General Staff were both on duty in our respective war rooms, linked by an open phone line.
“Hi, Dimitri, It’s Bob here in Washington.”
“Hi, Bob, It’s Oleg. Dimitri is down the hall getting a cup of tea. Things are very quiet here in Moscow. Everything fine on your end?
All the senior officers, both military and civilian, US, USSR, Brits, French, etc, all knew each other. They knew about their kids and how they would react. They all had visited each other’s capitols many times. Most US senior officers spoke at least elemental Russian. Most of the Sov. General Staff could carry on a conversation in English.... They had all been to many cocktail parties together....
All we know about the DPRK is that their alert troops sit “at attention” in bunkers up against the DMZ. Their invasion-essential elements, such as bridging units are forward.
We have platoons on alert. They have divisions on alert, divisions that routinely test as being able to be out of their bunkers and advancing within 90 seconds of the button being pushed in Pongyang.
Their SF forces are immense and very good. Many are in place, with thousands of others ready to come in via boat or old Antonov 12 passenger biplane, low, slow and under the radar.
They have huge Slime capabilities.
The balloon goes, up: the DPRK attacks.
Soviets thought.
DPRK reacts.
Sovs went home at night and listened to Tchaikovsky
DPRK goes home at night and listens to speeches of Lil’ Kim.
Sov Army command structure was very much Western. In fact, when Nixon was on way out and Sovs were worried that the madman would order a las gasp nuc strike on his old enemies the Communists, for last 20 days before resignation a member of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and member of the Sov General Staff were both on duty in our respective war rooms, linked by an open phone line.
“Hi, Dimitri, It’s Bob here in Washington.”
“Hi, Bob, It’s Oleg. Dimitri is down the hall getting a cup of tea. Things are very quiet here in Moscow. Everything fine on your end?
All the senior officers, both military and civilian, US, USSR, Brits, French, etc, all knew each other. They knew about their kids and how they would react. They all had visited each other’s capitols many times. Most US senior officers spoke at least elemental Russian. Most of the Sov. General Staff could carry on a conversation in English.... They had all been to many cocktail parties together....
All we know about the DPRK is that their alert troops sit “at attention” in bunkers up against the DMZ. Their invasion-essential elements, such as bridging units are forward.
We have platoons on alert. They have divisions on alert, divisions that routinely test as being able to be out of their bunkers and advancing within 90 seconds of the button being pushed in Pongyang.
Their SF forces are immense and very good. Many are in place, with thousands of others ready to come in via boat or old Antonov 12 passenger biplane, low, slow and under the radar.
They have huge Slime capabilities.
The balloon goes, up, the DPRK attacks.
South Korea's civilian population would be hit hard but they'd easily win militarily.
I'd settle for an unforeseen decapitation of Kim Jong-il...
Don’t underestimate the level of brainwashing in NK. The average adherent to Juche would throw his life away for the Kim family as quickly as any Muslim fanatic would throw away his in the name of Allah.
They nuts, yo.
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