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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Impact of Corean Unification
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:52:26 PM)
t's been over a decade since the Iron Curtain came crashing down in Europe. The Bamboo Curtain is little more than a quaint phrase. Yet the Cold War remains very much alive on the Corean (Korean for those who prefer the colonial spelling) peninsula.
Across a 186-mile DMZ glare opposing armies collectively totaling 1.7 million. By all reckoning the Pyongyang regime should have become ideological roadkill following the collapse of communism. Instead, it remains an impregnable roadblock to the economic integration of East Asia, the world's fastest-growing region.
How can an economic nonentity be such a roadblock?
Consider its location at what should have been the crossroads of East Asia. With 56% of the peninsula's land mass, North Corea separates on one side the world's greatest market and labor pool (China) and the biggest reserve of natural resources (Sibera) from, on the other, two of the world's leading technological and manufacturing nations (Japan and South Corea).
But for Pyongyang's intransigence Seoul would already be linked by railroads and superhighways to Beijing, Moscow, Berlin, Paris and London. All those cities would also be linked to Tokyo via a bridge across the 126-mile strait dividing Shimonoseki from Pusan. The savings in shipping cost and time alone could amount to tens of billions of dollars a year. Such a trans-Eurasian land link would accelerate the cultural and economic integration of not only East Asia, but the world. In the process, the Corean peninsula would shed the burden of financing the world's most heavily fortified frontier and become the center of the global economy.
That's the vision dancing before the eyes of farsighted statesmen and business leaders pushing for the political leaps of faith needed to keep Pyongyang taking its unsteady baby steps toward opening North Corea.
But skeptics and pessimists abound. Even a loose confederation with the North would only burden and destabilize South Corea's economy and political system, they argue. For decades to come the impact on the global economy would be entirely negative as investors and customers begin shunning the uncertainties, denying capital and trading partners to hundreds of world-class Corean manufacturers. The ultimate result, argue the naysayers, would be to throw a monkey wrench into an alignment that has allowed three decades of strong growth for East Asia.
What is the likely impact of Corean unification?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
NK is next on US's list.
I doubt we can really do much with China. Asymmetric warefare on the economic front has USA totally dependent on China right now. Consumer confidence drives the USA economy. If that fails, it is the USA that will fall apart not China. China can still trade with Europe and Asia.
Sadly due to our own foriegn policy we cannot trade with Europe and Asia on such good terms anymore.
AC Dropout
Monday, March 31, 2003 at 07:17:58 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
"If they (China) DARE to assist North Korea in any US vs. NK war, they will see the US's wrath. If we imposed sanctions on China, or stopped free trade, used our influence to kick them out of the WTO, China would quickly deteriorate into the poverty-stricken..."
You've got to be kidding me!
May I ask what recent US military action makes you feel confident enough that the US can fight China and North Korea at the same time? North Korea has the world's third largest army. Who do you think has the largest?
The ONLY way to get peace in the Korean peninsula is for South Korea and North Korea to re-unite. We cannot fight another conflict in Asia, unless there is a clear and present danger and unless we have the moral authority to save a people who wants the US to commit military action on their behalf.
I will say this, the South Korean government is not playing with a full deck. I don't see how they can allow countless diplomatic opportunities pass by and not engage in multi-lateral talks with the US.
This doesn't make sense to me.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Sunday, March 30, 2003 at 12:26:45 (PST)
[172.172.151.74]
"ON WEDNESDAY, North Korea said it was meaningless for its officers to meet U.S. liaison officers because of rising tensions over the North’s suspected nuclear ambitions, the U.S.-led war in Iraq and U.S.-South Korean military exercises.
“North Korea’s decision to back away from dialogue at this time is unfortunate,” said a U.N. Command statement.
Also, the North’s media said on Wednesday its parliament had received a 2003 budget increasing military spending to put the impoverished state’s entire population of 23 million people under arms."
From an article today on msnbc.com. We finally give NK a chance for talks, and what do they do? Walk out. And now they will spend all of the country's money on militarizing the entire population rather than feeding them. The only way millions of North Koreans will be kept from starvation is from US, UN, European and Chinese food aid.
_________________________________
"Roh has recently decided to cut down on the number of USA stationed in SK. He also want the USA troops to be further away from the DMZ to reduce tensions.
China is contemplating supplying NK with more arms in case USA decides to invade NK like it did Iraq."
Actually, just after he was elected Roh made a big fuss about wanted to reduce the number of US troops in SK, to please the young, anti-US SK'ers that put him into office. But with the whole North Korea situation spiraling out of control, he turned 180 degrees and begged the US not to pull out any troops!
The US is already angry with China for not siding with them on the Iraq war. If they DARE to assist North Korea in any US vs. NK war, they will see the US's wrath. If we imposed sanctions on China, or stopped free trade, used our influence to kick them out of the WTO, China would quickly deteriorate into the poverty-stricken state of ten years ago.
NK is next on US's list
Friday, March 28, 2003 at 08:34:40 (PST)
[207.183.118.61]
DC Observer
HAHAHA!! Funny DC. Look at your compatriots over ONE BILLION THREE HUNDRED MILLION ARE controlled and told what to do every single day of their lives. You're a joke!
China is so envious of American wealth and influence around the world. For a country with such ENMOROUS population she has no real influence. That's why they are always oppossed to every American policy ( yet China begs for prefer trade status with US..lol!) just like dirt poor Russia and wannabe world player France.
I don't get why France is still a member of the permanent security council. We should of let the Germans teach them some manners.
China = axis of evil
Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 18:57:19 (PST)
[205.188.208.5]
Roh has recently decided to cut down on the number of USA stationed in SK. He also want the USA troops to be further away from the DMZ to reduce tensions.
China is contemplating supplying NK with more arms in case USA decides to invade NK like it did Iraq.
It seems the second Korean war will begin by the summer or fall of 2003.
AC Dropout
Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 07:43:41 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
ka,
You are basically saying neither the SK nor NK can be trusted with missle technology. SK and NK will steal whatever they get their hands on.
As China rises, USA will really begin to rethink their arms sales policy to that area.
It is only natural all neighoring countries begin aligning with a benevolent emerging superpower.
AC Dropout
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 08:49:01 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
ka,
"AC, I have decided not to respond to your substanceless babble, as doing so
is very much like talking to a wall."
That's your individual right. And now I will excercise my own on your fictitious claims.
"China is a wishy washy partner at best. (Wishy washy, because they give nominal amounts of grains/oil to North Korea) What type of message does this send to the world"
It tells the world that China's actions and commitments are trying to stabilize the region. Something the USA is not.
What does Portugal got to do with NK.
How can you be so blind to the USA who invented SK and NK in the first place.
AC Dropout
Monday, March 17, 2003 at 12:29:27 (PST)
[24.136.115.189]
DC,
I gave you a logical rebuttal to your insane world views---your rebuttal is your fantasy that I am a Moonie. I haven't been to a church service in over a year. I think it's funny that you call me a fascist, when everything you have said and stand for is against freedom of thoughts and civil rights. You must practice law in Beijing.
Yehenala,
Woops, my numbers are wrong again. I do this from time to time. It was 3000 americans killed during 9-11 and 37,000 US troops in Korea. I think. Again, my numbers could be off.
Actually South Korean troops are quite powerful. It's true as you say that much of the South Korean weapons technology is heavily dependent on the US. But South Korean military leaders were not completely "greedless" when they were purchasing American weapons technology--they very much have technology transfer on mind. South Korea tried to reverse-engineer US missiles, and South Korea probably possess an advanced missile technology in secret. Most of the world's military produce their high tech equipment jointly with other nations anyway. Examples are the Euro-fighter or even US fighters that uses BAE(british company) electronic equipment. South Korea also produce advanced diesel submarines with Germany and other weapons from Europe. (Russia tried to sell a bulk of their 'advanced' weapons, but much of it was turned down.)
South Korea could produce it's own fighters and tanks(like the k-1 88 tanks) wholly on it's own, but the cost of research & development is astronaumical. (not to mention, it just won't be as good as F-15, even though US takes out critical components to prevent technology transfer of secret military technology.)
South Korea is capable of building advanced fighers like the advanced trainer it recently produced with Lockheed Martin--this type can also be modified to fight. But certain key ceramic-composite material was determined too expensive for South Korea to manufacture.
South Korea, with a population of 40 million with an economy that is only the 12th in the world, can't justify increasing it's already maxed out defense spending on making redundant weapons systems.
Already South Korea has plans to upgrade it's navy to AEGIS systems by 2008; right now, South Korean navy is pathetically weak compared to Japanese navy--who also buys a bulk of their weapons from US. One capable AEGIS ship means that much less money for R&D. South Korea cannot compete fighter for fighter, tank to tank in terms of research against US who's population is over 300 million and her economy is several times that of Korea's. Certainly South Korea could produce it's own equipment to fight less advanced enemies such as North Korea, but why bother when China, Russia, and Japan are still her neighbors?
It's in south korea's best interest to convince US that they should sell them stealth fighters instead of the hand-me-down weapons such as F-15. Why fight with marginally more effective domestic fighters when they can fight with next generation american weapons?
ka
Monday, March 17, 2003 at 11:02:39 (PST)
[168.103.182.191]
ka wrote:
>>(By the way, i'm the arch-angel michael, and have privy to information pertaining to future events provided to me by the Holy Spirit)
Oh, I get it. You're a member of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (aka The Moonies, TM).
That explains it. You're one of those typical Korean Confucian/Fundamentalist Christian/Religious Fascists who gets your jollies being told what to do and what to think by some mind-control cult?
It's no wonder North Korea is run as a mind control cult and the parallels between NK and the Moonies are eerily similar.
I realize that not ALL koreans are like this, and that each person is an individual and (hopefully) different, but the fact that so MANY koreans go in for mind-control cults, mass marriages, and a longing for adherence to some kind of crypto-fascist authority -- whatever it may be (religion, politics, family loyalty, etc.) is certainly telling.
Please tell me you're one of the sane, rational Koreans who does NOT fit this description.
Peace out.
DC Observer
Sunday, March 16, 2003 at 17:51:43 (PST)
[131.216.163.150]
ka:
You have some really good points...
"To put it simply, this simply shows that United States of America is far more committed to the preservation of her allies."
But...
This commitment has also resulted in South Korea..an autonomous nation...to have a military that is so dependant on another...
Even those multi-billion obsoleting F-15's purchased from the US cannot be fully considered as properties of South Korea in that all maintenance can only be done by the US military...
Most highly trained...technical aspects of military forces in South Korea are made up of US forces...
How disparaging...for Korean soldiers to be implied as nothing more than infantry manpower...
Yehenala...
Sunday, March 16, 2003 at 12:39:36 (PST)
[67.241.61.12]
"ka, your comments aren't really worth answering in depth, not because they are too astute or intelligent."
That made no sense...
Yehenala...
Friday, March 14, 2003 at 19:45:44 (PST)
[67.241.61.64]
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