Korean Job Discussion Forums

[akcrono]

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/292562-1

Lecture from an expert on North Korea. The single best explanation for their behavior. Gives you the impression that war is unlikely, as the architects of the regime are not stupid or crazy, but are using the rhetoric to legitimize their regime.

Since many other commenters here feel this is a military issue, I want to make something clear: the arguments about weapons capabilities are mostly useless. The most conservative estimate and the most liberal estimate have the similar outcomes: Seoul will suffer heavy damage, North Korea (the government) will lose any international backing, and will promptly be destroyed by the US and allies. Whether NK's equipment is of high quality or well maintained is irreverent. It will only affect how long and how much the North can punish the South before they are driven back. This is an outcome desirable by no parties involved.

And that is the point. The regime up north is neither crazy nor stupid. They know what will happen if they actually start a war, and are not willing to do so. Their actions are perfectly explainable in the context of solidifying Kim's legitimacy. There is no eminent war or attack.

I am putting my money where my mouth is, and will remain in Seoul with no fear of any harm coming to me, along with the millions of other residents. And no, I'm not a recruiter like some of the ridiculous conspiracy theorists think. I'm just an English teacher who's pet peeve is stupidity, and there's plenty of that in the fear mongering going on here.

[le-paul]

couldnt you just have put this on one of the other threads?

[akcrono]

[le-paul]

fair enough

[Allthechildrenareinsane]

[Ruthdes]

Thanks. I'll watch this later and send it to my mum if I think it will help her feel better

[le-paul]

i watched the first 5 minutes of this before i gave up. Im not an expert by any means on this subject but there were a few things he said that seemed a little difficult to grasp.
first; he seemed to suggest that the personal reports of refugees that had managed to escape, were to be discounted.
second; he mentioned that if it were all that bad, why would refugees bribe their way back into north korea?
From the little ive read, people who have escaped fear for the welfare of their families. they also fear being arrested by the chinese government and then sent back to north korea where they would be imprisoned and possibly executed. Perhaps if it isnt possible to leave with your family, they may return or return for fear of the repercussions of their actions. maybe they couldnt get passage out of china either and thought it would be easier to go back to nk?

[akcrono]

That's why you should have listened further. The issue was that those who leave NK feel so ostracized that they feel the life they had in NK was better and bribe their way back in.

[sluggo832004]

*Throws choco pie at speaker then runs out room*

[Ruthdes]

I watched most of it (into the Q&A section), but then couldn't un-pause it without going back to the start >_<. What he said about NK having nowhere to turn if they're forced to give up their military power, hence the 6 party talks being a waste of time, was very interesting. It's a shame it's a bit out of date now. I would be interested to hear an update with analysis of Kim Jeong Un and Park Geun Hye as the new leaders.

[cabeza]

Indeed, very interesting.
Though I think more than a few Koreans wouldn't like hearing what he had to say about the formation of a Korean national identity coming from the Japanese.

[fusionbarnone]

[figshdg]

[KimchiNinja]

Interesting video.

[vaticanhotline]