North Korea (3 Viewers)

[kat12345]

what food supplies? didnt their food aid get cut off?

They have farms... A lot of supplies are probably coming from China as well. Just because the US said no, doesn't mean private business isn't finding a way around their blocks. IIRC, food is rationed by the government anyhow, so if you were to purchase black market foods it would be rather expensive.

 

[Rohanco]

Why would America involve itself in the war? Isn't the war between north and south korea? (I am pretty bad in politics...) So let them kill themselves.

South korea and the US have been allies since the Korean war.

 

[Rohanco]

What I love about this whole unfortunate situation is that the North Korean threat is actually successfully bringing together certain countries involved in the region, who would prefer to be squabling over a silly things, *cough cough* a bunch of usselss Islands >.>

 

[Tasteless]

what food supplies? didnt their food aid get cut off?

A few months ago trade between NK and China stopped, not really sure why, how long it lasted or if it's still continuing.

 

[ZombieApocalypse]

I really don't think these threats from NK are going to eventuate into anything. Or maybe this is just their game plan...constantly crying wolf, until no one takes them seriously, and THEN getting everyone off guard and striking.

 

[Tasteless]

Although SK and US are on high alert, domestic political reasons are most probably the only reason behind this.

US and SK are doing training until the end of April
NK gets up in their grill about war
US and SK finish their training and US fucks off
NK forces "scared off the rest of the world because kimmy's a beast and a gr8 leader and has big weapons n stuff"
NK populace is reaffirmed kimmy is dear leader

 

[Azure]

Although SK and US are on high alert, domestic political reasons are most probably the only reason behind this.

US and SK are doing training until the end of April
NK gets up in their grill about war
US and SK finish their training and US fucks off
NK forces "scared off the rest of the world because kimmy's a beast and a gr8 leader and has big weapons n stuff"
NK populace is reaffirmed kimmy is dear leader

Probably one of the most logical things said in this thread so far.

 

[moll.]

As with past communist states there is corruption within the leadership. (And they're not a true communist state at that)
The food supplies are taken by those in power and should be distributed to all the people as under the ideals of the communist/marxist system, and instead the officials take the food and supplies for themselves and give nothing to the ordinary people. So the ordinary people starve while their leaders feast and kill people

Thanks for the history lesson in which you said absolutely nothing worthwhile.

 

[moll.]

Probably one of the most logical things said in this thread so far.

Does Skynet have a battle plan yet?

 

[kaz1]

if they cant feed their people, how can they afford war?

feeding their people isn't a priority

I think something like 70% of their budget is spent on the millitary

 

[SylviaB]

As with past communist states there is corruption within the leadership. (And they're not a true communist state at that)

Because 'capitalist' countries don't have corruption and are "true" capitalist state, right?

instead the officials take the food and supplies for themselves and give nothing to the ordinary people. So the ordinary people starve while their leaders feast and kill people

So the politicians eat so much that they cause everyone else to starve? Really??

 

[SylviaB]

 

[kat12345]

Maybe the translator is the evil one :O

 

[funkshen]

Probably one of the most logical things said in this thread so far.

but it's not. the north korean population has little to no access to independent news sources. with very few constraints, the leadership can fabricate the news, and as a result doesn't need to rely on real world happenings to vindicate itself. while the recent troubles are most definitely due to domestic politicking, the tough-guy posturing is not about keeping the peasants happy, and probably has more to do with elite dynamics e.g. shoring up support in the army and with hardliners, or maneuvering against groups calling for a detente.

 

[Kiraken]

Although SK and US are on high alert, domestic political reasons are most probably the only reason behind this.

US and SK are doing training until the end of April
NK gets up in their grill about war
US and SK finish their training and US fucks off
NK forces "scared off the rest of the world because kimmy's a beast and a gr8 leader and has big weapons n stuff"
NK populace is reaffirmed kimmy is dear leader

saw interviews with citizens on SBS the other day and its obvious that they are already so brainwashed they believe this without any real reason to. The North Korean government has nothing to prove to the people because the people believe it anyway, they don't have access to any other perspective because everything is really insular there

 

[Tasteless]

Probably one of the most logical things said in this thread so far.

but it's not. the north korean population has little to no access to independent news sources. with very few constraints, the leadership can fabricate the news, and as a result doesn't need to rely on real world happenings to vindicate itself. while the recent troubles are most definitely due to domestic politicking, the tough-guy posturing is not about keeping the peasants happy, and probably has more to do with elite dynamics e.g. shoring up support in the army and with hardliners, or maneuvering against groups calling for a detente.

not keeping them happy, keeping them fearful of his iron fist and ever reaching powah

 

[funkshen]

not keeping them happy, keeping them fearful of his iron fist and ever reaching powah[/QUOTE]

you completely missed the point, but that's okay.

 

[moll.]

but it's not. the north korean population has little to no access to independent news sources. with very few constraints, the leadership can fabricate the news, and as a result doesn't need to rely on real world happenings to vindicate itself. while the recent troubles are most definitely due to domestic politicking, the tough-guy posturing is not about keeping the peasants happy, and probably has more to do with elite dynamics e.g. shoring up support in the army and with hardliners, or maneuvering against groups calling for a detente.

They do have access to outside sources. There is a thriving black market that The Economist recently reported on, which has largely sprung up since the late 90's in response to the famine. Amongst the goods that are sold on the black market are laptops, mobiles and satellite access. It's a tiny minority, but it is growing.

 

[funkshen]

They do have access to outside sources. There is a thriving black market that The Economist recently reported on, which has largely sprung up since the late 90's in response to the famine. Amongst the goods that are sold on the black market are laptops, mobiles and satellite access. It's a tiny minority, but it is growing.

yes, you're talking about an elite; a tiny minority that has access to and an interest in such technology. that was my point.

edit: also note that i said little to no.

 

[moll.]

yes, you're talking about an elite; a tiny minority that has access to and an interest in such technology. that was my point.

edit: also note that i said little to no.

No, not an elite. An underclass. Very different.