President Xi Jiping wants to work on a peaceful solution to NK

[Neversoft]

The same applies to South Korea which has done less than it needs to for the situation it finds itself in

Just curious, what would you have South Korea do? Granted, their approach is more defensive than offensive, but they generally grant citizenship to defectors and military service is still mandatory. They also retaliate to North Korea's bravado and have said they will assassinate Kim Jong-un should they feel sufficiently threatened. Though the quoted article doesn't mention it, South Korea are also holding discussions with the US and China about imposing sanctions on North Korea. They've also said they're open to talking directly with Kim Jong-un.

I do agree that Japan should seek some sort of intervention or clout in issues with North Korea though, especially considering the country's condemnation of North Korea, the severity of which I believe is second only to South Korea.

[Landon]

Just curious, what would you have South Korea do? Granted, their approach is more defensive than offensive, but they generally grant citizenship to defectors and military service is still mandatory. They also retaliate to North Korea's bravado and have said they will assassinate Kim Jong-un should they feel sufficiently threatened. Though the quoted article doesn't mention it, South Korea are also holding discussions with the US and China about imposing sanctions on North Korea. They've also said they're open to talking directly with Kim Jong-un.

I do agree that Japan should seek some sort of intervention or clout in issues with North Korea though, especially considering the country's condemnation of North Korea, the severity of which I believe is second only to South Korea.

This isn't against you at all: I just don't think sanctions are gonna do a dang thing hahaha. Especially due to the nature of Kim Jong Un.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Just curious, what would you have South Korea do? Granted, their approach is more defensive than offensive, but they generally grant citizenship to defectors and military service is still mandatory. They also retaliate to North Korea's bravado and have said they will assassinate Kim Jong-un should they feel sufficiently threatened. Though the quoted article doesn't mention it, South Korea are also holding discussions with the US and China about imposing sanctions on North Korea. They've also said they're open to talking directly with Kim Jong-un.

I do agree that Japan should seek some sort of intervention or clout in issues with North Korea though, especially considering the country's condemnation of North Korea, the severity of which I believe is second only to South Korea.

I would have South Korea arm more heavily and be prepared to back its words with actions. A defensive approach is right, but when it comes to actual action from North Korea the south never responds properly. I'm sure you'll remember the shelling of that island by the north a couple of years ago? Had a foreign country shelled a British colony like that then I would be calling for a *major* escalation in response. Instead, South Korea did pretty much nothing allowing the north to get away with it and possibly do the same in the future.

[Landon]

I would have South Korea arm more heavily and be prepared to back its words with actions. A defensive approach is right, but when it comes to actual action from North Korea the south never responds properly.

Interesting point. Do you agree with SK and the US training together, doing exercises, etc.? I think it's a good thing that we're at least saying that we are there.

[Neversoft]

This isn't against you at all: I just don't think sanctions are gonna do a dang thing hahaha. Especially due to the nature of Kim Jong Un.

Like the US sanctions on Russia, it's more a show of bravado than an actual countermeasure. Kim Jong-un definitely won't care, but he knows he's up against it when the superpowers start imposing sanctions on him.

I would have South Korea arm more heavily and be prepared to back its words with actions. A defensive approach is right, but when it comes to actual action from North Korea the south never responds properly. I'm sure you'll remember the shelling of that island by the north a couple of years ago? Had a foreign country shelled a British colony like that then I would be calling for a *major* escalation in response. Instead, South Korea did pretty much nothing allowing the north to get away with it and possibly do the same in the future.

It's a tough call when your neighbour is North Korea. Seoul is just 35 miles away from the DMZ and could be flattened in a moments notice. A new Korean war would likely see an eventual reunification in the South's favour, but if the North can back their words then the South is in big trouble. South Korea did actually retaliate for Yeonpyeong — they started shelling the North just ten minutes later. Granted, it's dubious whether there were any North Korean casualties, but an artillery battle did nonetheless take place.