North Korea

[Amnesiac]

While, in the eyes of the U.S., North Korea may just be a small country on "a peninsula full of snails", it does present a threat to the West's security interests nonetheless. North Korea currently controls the world's fourth largest army, with over 1.1 million active personnel (and the second highest number of reserve personnel at over 8.2 million) and possesses the world's third largest stockpile of chemical weapons. The nation is said to have the materials necessary for the creation of up to 9 nuclear weapons, and we all know about the testing that's been going on there.

North Korea's powerful military coupled with both an aggressive stance towards the West and a building relationship with China could make it the spark for an ugly war. Obviously, the United States sees this threat, and as North Korea continues to come nose-to-nose with South Korea and its allies, the future isn't certain.

With that information down, what do you guys think should be done about North Korea? Does North Korea really represent a threat to the West, and could it possibly kick off the next big war?

[The Ninja]

While, in the eyes of the U.S., North Korea may just be a small country on "a peninsula full of snails", it does present a threat to the West's security interests nonetheless. North Korea currently controls the world's fourth largest army, with over 1.1 million active personnel (and the second highest number of reserve personnel at over 8.2 million) and possesses the world's third largest stockpile of chemical weapons. The nation is said to have the materials necessary for the creation of up to 9 nuclear weapons, and we all know about the testing that's been going on there.

North Korea's powerful military coupled with both an aggressive stance towards the West and a building relationship with China could make it the spark for an ugly war. Obviously, the United States sees this threat, and as North Korea continues to come nose-to-nose with South Korea and its allies, the future isn't certain.

With that information down, what do you guys think should be done about North Korea? Does North Korea really represent a threat to the West, and could it possibly kick off the next big war?

carpet bomb there asses

[Azunite]

Although Russia provokes US a lot, North Korea is silent for few years so I don't think Korea will be the war-starter, it will join later

[Suicune]

I think they do pose a threat for the West.

Excuse my arrogance, but if anything were to happen anybody, it doesn't sound like a hard task to do the dishonoring deed as to wipe them off the map.

[scuba steve]

historically Korea and China have always been close allies but China would never back a war campaign due to their perservation in the economy. NK may have such a large reserve of forces since every able body is listed for drafting, but they are stuck in a U.S embargo meaning they can bring little exports into the coutry especially modern weaponry (which they couldn't afford anyway) since their own economy is in ruin. NK is stuck in cold war era weaponry if they did try to start a war with any neigbouring country they would just be demolished by drones and as some guy said before heavy artillary strikes until they were forced to stop.
NK is also landlocked by two of the most militarily capable country's China and South Korea so by land i could not see them getting very far and they would never be able to successfully land on Japan since they don't have the greatest navy (as said before inferior technology.)
There is however a theory on NK that whenever Kim Jung Ill eventually dies and the heir to the state is succedded by his son who has been brought up in the West brings the country into the 21st century and turns the 8million drafted troops into a national powerhouse making the country a financial success within the next 20 odd years, SK eventually joining the new Korean federation and the country gaining enough finance to secure proper military tools, seeing the now unified country on a campaign to annex as much territory as possible. Avoiding China and targeting weaker countries like Japan (which no longer has U.S support due to the next recession.) This theory is not my opinion so burn the theory not me, it's based on the author of Red Dawn but still plausable in some sections, being turned into a game called Homefront, look it up it's quite good.

Unless this book becomes reality, no I do not think North Korea is a high level threat.

[huginnmuninn]

Although Russia provokes US a lot, North Korea is silent for few years so I don't think Korea will be the war-starter, it will join later

the fact that NK has been silent for a few years might be a sign of something. i dont me we should attack first but if they attack first... destroy them

[Perseus]

North Korea are pushovers. If they were to start a war with the West, China would be the last to back them up since it would jeopardize them. The U.S. would be able to artillery strike them from cruisers and destroyers, as with Japan since Japan is one of our greatest allies and Japan obviously doesn't like North Korea, who would probably take the honor of decimating their cities. As long North Korea wouldn't shoot of nuclear weapons, the U.S. could rape them facially; but if it turned into a nuclear war, North Korea would obviously be gone in a matter of hours. Obama, even though he doesn't like nuclear weapons, would be under so much pressure to use one that he'd probably use at least two.

Who knows, maybe even out of greed, like Hitler, they might even attack China. And NATO and the such would obviously be involved in a North Korea conflict.

[Continuum]

Fire an ICBM on Pyongyang, see if we care. Those asses won't learn.

[Sage]

Who knows, maybe even out of greed, like Hitler, they might even attack China.

That would be Kim Jong Il's way of telling the world he has a death wish. I can't think of anything more profoundly stupid for North Korea to do than attack China.

[Perseus]

That would be Kim Jong Il's way of telling the world he has a death wish. I can't think of anything more profoundly stupid for North Korea to do than attack China.

I know, but it is still a possibility.

[Sugaree]

I know, but it is still a possibility.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. If the world ever sees North Korea attack China, then the former will become ancient history. I could see NK attack China if Kim Jong gets too greedy, but he'd see it would be a large mistake.

They've been a threat for years and I have not seen any type of solidification of the threats. I'm not all too worried about North Korea, but I'm not going to off them as a - for lack of a better word - friendly nation.

[scuba steve]

The Koreans have always had a strong historic alliance with China, they would never attack the Chinese unless it had global dominance, which would never happen.

[Continuum]

That would be Kim Jong Il's way of telling the world he has a death wish. I can't think of anything more profoundly stupid for North Korea to do than attack China.

Kim Jong Il's does not want to attack China, but rather down below (South Korea). They're still at war at the moment, no peace treaties from both sides since they're only having a ceasefire for the last 50-60 years.

And China is also communist; they dare not to attack their single most powerful ally in the world. If they did however, little Chinese zerglings will overrun Pyongyang in a matter of days. It will only happen if Kim Jong Il's army was helped by some technologically advanced civilization from the distant future.