Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ChuckECheese]

Gotta remember that the U.S. election is coming up. Based on this fact, all options including military option is still not outta of questions. The success of election result may depend on how the Bush administration handle NK situation.

All options are still open.

[EFLtrainer]

[Alias77]

In theory the US can do anything it wants to and often does, regardless of the effects. However, the manpower constraints, the (now) gigantic deficit, the upcoming elections & political mire, and the attitude of the American public about the war in Iraq does not lean towards military action in NK. Attention is still focused on Iran. It will find a way to happen in an extreme emergency, but it seems that the US has engaged too many resources looking for imaginary WMDs in the desert and the ensuing chaos in barely assembling a legitimate government to replace the one they toppled. I doubt the American public wants to see a military shift to NK. This time, its a real global concern and needs to be dealt with in a global concensus. Its a shame we gave away our ability to fully commit our attention and resources to real threats. I wish it were different, because I don't want to see the issue escalate. Many are discussing whether Japan will initiate a nuclear program as warfare deterrent. I think its far too early to tell what will happen in totallity, but the moment of US "go it alone" attitude is over.

[The Lemon]

[brento1138]

[brento1138]

[The Lemon]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[EFLtrainer]

Thought that was too obvious to bother explicitly stating.

[Julius]

[Smee]

To answer the OP, the recent crisis has made me think.

First, there's the currency issue. Money's not my main reason for being here, but if the won drops significantly, staying here might be unwise. (It's a little too early to tell, though)

Second, there's the issue of safety. Yeah, most of the pundits are saying that a war won't happen, and the cite Pakistan as an example. (They armed, they were condemned, and then . . . nothing.)

Third, there's the political climate here. We'll have to wait and see what happens with the ROK policy of appeasement. I'm watching No Moo-hyun on TV now, and it's quite painful (i.e., he seems more concerned with Japan rearming than with DPRK testing nuclear weapons.)

Finally, there's the worry of a further Asian arms race.

I think we'll get a better feel for things in the days to come: it's too early, and we haven't seen any real response from anyone, aside from "stern" warnings and blame thrown at Bush's hardline policy.