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Impact of Corean Unification
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:52:37 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.]
I Ching wrote on Jan 17:

"your leader continues to terrorize the world with massive earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, floods, and fire."

This guy seems to claim that it's Jesus creating all these calamities, and then rebukes people for being Christians. Shoot.... if anybody or anything really did have that much power, I'd bend over backwards for him/it. Wouldn't you???

And then he states:

"Before America eliminates the terrorists abroad, it should try to eliminate the commie Christian terrorists within."

Commies??? If anything you can equate christian elitists to fascists, although that would be a push, but commies???????

This guy's postings are almost comical. He goes around in circles chasing his tail, but yet has no clue where and what he's leading to.
Let's be pragmatic
   Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 00:08:38 (PST)    [208.40.19.141]
Anti-commie,

You should know that it was America’s double-dealing with the commie Soviet Union that led to much of the misery of communism in Asia. The double-dealing occurred at Yalta in 1945 when a secret protocol developed by Roosevelt and Stalin and agreed to by Churchill provided territorial and other concessions to the USSR in the Far East as conditions for Russian entrance into the war against Japan after the defeat of Germany. Not only was this secret protocol unnecessary given the fact that America could have defeated Japan without outside assistance, but America was improperly inducing the Russians to break the neutrality pact that was concluded between Russia and Japan in April 1941 and was valid for five years. The Russian attacked the Japanese on August 9, 1945 and contributed a mere seven days to the war against Japan before the Japanese surrendered on August 15, 1945. The Russians rushed to occupy and loot Manchuria and northern Korea of industrial equipments that were then shipped to Russia. Worst yet, the Russians installed communism in both of these areas that in a matter of a few years would result in communist North Korea first in 1948 and then communist China later in 1949. For the mere seven days of fighting assistance the Americans received will arise a geopolitical nightmare that still haunts the Americans, the Chinese, and the Koreans to this day. This is the price that all Americans must pay today because of Roosevelt’s decision to appease communist Soviet Union in 1945. It is the greatest diplomatic blunder in modern Asian history, far exceeding in scope the recent diplomatic blunder of George W. Bush by naming North Korea as a member of the Axis of Evil. Also relatively recently, it was the Americans who once aided Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein to fight the Russians and the Iranians in the 1980’s, and now much of America’s military power is tied up in trying to take out both of them. The people leading America need to stop making so many diplomatic blunders and double-dealings. It is time to get ordinary common-sense individuals to voice out their concerns and get involved or otherwise Americans and others will pay through their noses for the rest of their lives for these grave errors.
I Ching
   Monday, January 20, 2003 at 22:58:09 (PST)    [199.183.35.175]
AC,
Canada like China? Our PM does not reflect our country, as much as he'd like to think it.

Have you noticed how many protests there have been lately in Canada. Ever seen one in China where the people lived to protest again?

This is an article by Mr. IHateAmerica,
Even he admits NK would attack SK the moment the U.S. leaves. Also, America prevents Japan from going nuclear and fighting both China and a commie Corea (united by their jealousy of Japanese success).

http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/margolis_jan19.html

That is so stupid. Everything in China is owned by "the people" (aka the gov't). How can it NOT be regulated. Think before you speak.

I Ching,
Muslims are all poor. They number atleast double the number of "poor" Christians.
China is supposed to be atheist. They are far from being wealthy. NK is atheist, they're in the same bought. SK is not in both cases. Your logic is flawed.

The Christian tendency to forgive has prevented them from nuking everyone else hasn't it?

Anti-commies,
That's because America, Canada and Europe won't run them over with tanks if they speak out.
huu76
   Monday, January 20, 2003 at 20:43:04 (PST)    [65.95.195.153]
I Ching,

> thus, it is by far the popular religion in the world.

Christianity is the only inclusive religion.

Judaism = Don't convert; Muslim = Believe me or I'll personally send to you to heaven; Eatern philosophy = fatalistic; Christian = You can be born again = Change your operating system at the drop of a hat...even diehard Communists.

Funny thing, in NYC, I heard that there are several hundred Korean-American churches, something like ratio of 1 per 200 to 300.

I say again, the issue is not religion, it's individualism or collectivism. The collective will not let you change you operating system, whereas as an individual, you can change your mind w/o asking permission. Pick your medicine.
NY1+1=3boy
   Monday, January 20, 2003 at 13:29:15 (PST)    [24.90.48.98]
anti commie,

How would you know anything about China. You been there. When I was there I met so many ethnic Korean in China. The police in China are not really focused on Koreans sneaking into thier borders. They only care if they start storming embassy buildings like terrorist. The border is really a river that the NK watch very closely. It is sad NK refugees cannot walk across the 38th parallel and go to SK directly. They fear the USA to shot them on arrival.

Last I checked the US states deparment supports China's claims on Tibet and doesn't support Tibet independence. This is a board of Korea. So your little plug ins are not appreciated.
AC Dropout
   Monday, January 20, 2003 at 09:58:36 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
nytherevboy,

You wrote, "I submit that the singluar characteristic of christianity to forgive instantly (if you repent the error of your ways) and thus move on to new and better things is brilliant in itself - to start anew everyday."

Yes, Timothy McVeigh, the terrorists who blew away 168 lives in Oklahoma City in 1995, would certainly agree with your statement now that he has moved on to heaven, having shrewdly accepted the last rites of the Christian faith just prior to his execution. His act was the greatest act of terrorism in America until 9/11.

Christianity has tremendous appeal to the masses, the poor, the losers, the criminals, etc.; thus, it is by far the popular religion in the world. Some 30% of South Koreans actually believe in this stuff. Nonetheless, with the election victory of Roh Mu Hyun, the first atheist candidate to be elected to the Presidency and growing anti-Americanism in South Korea, I believe that Christianity in South Korea will begin its decline. Its is all part of the process to restore Korea to its natural state.
I Ching
   Monday, January 20, 2003 at 08:20:13 (PST)    [206.217.3.234]
ka,

"Do not be friends with anyone who read Sun Tzu's Art of War three times."

That's really funny. Sun Tzu's Art of War is required reading for all three military academies in the USA (Army, Navy, Airforce). I guess you should listen to your own advise.
AC Dropout

And your point is what?? Only a lowlife like you would turn a serious disscussion into a trivial remark. I don't find how Chinese police are treating these poor North Coreans trivial or funny. Even if the tables were turned, I don't find any human suffering and indignity funny, Chinese.
anti commie
   Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 17:03:12 (PST)    [64.12.96.47]
ka
Nicely said. Chinese are known for being two faced. I think alot of these Chinese suffer from either superority complex based on their long history ( which I do admire) or victimization mentality from their recent past history. Chinese love to critize the Japanese and Europeans for what they've done to them but they can't seem to understand why the rest of the world condamns them for Tibet. Another thing that alot of these Chinese like to do is while sitting comfortably in homes in America or Canada enjoying the freedoms and opportunties these countries have provided them they will bash every chance they get on America or western cultures especially when its opposite to Communist China's policies.
Love China so much why not go live under the commie rule and free Tibet!
anti commies
   Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 16:51:43 (PST)    [64.12.96.47]
I Ching

Thanks for the Jan 12 post. Very informative.

In my view the clear difference is the western and eastern differences over what constitutes individualism and individual freedom.

Let's say both are equal except in one aspect - after one has actually experienced the western individualism and individual freedom, it is almost impossble to go back and put on the yoke of the eastern "collective" before "individual" version.
Ny^+^boy
   Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 13:33:46 (PST)    [24.90.48.98]
> Of course, what I am saying above is just a parody.

I Ching, that is funny and brilliant. You are not anti-American, you are anti-christian. The problem w/your agrument is that true belivers have suspended their logic facility in their brain, your diatribe will not register. Another problem is that the very definition of individual freedom hinges of whether viewed from christian perspective or from the Asian (gorup ahead of invidual) view.

I submit that the singluar caharacteristic of christianity to forgive instantly (if you repent the error of your ways) and thus move on to new an better things is brillienent in itself - to start anew everyday. It is the basis of the freedom and individual respect that ultimately allows the the teeming masses to come to USA and pursue thier birth right - happyness and freedom.

Freedom, let's define that. Asian vuew of freedom is different from western view of freedom. Asian view is taht freedom is relative - to the individual's immidiate communcity (i.e. one is not totally free); of course inteh western view, freedom is - damn the world, I alone am right and it me right to purseu it.
nytherevboy
   Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 13:24:45 (PST)    [24.90.48.98]
ka,

"Do not be friends with anyone who read Sun Tzu's Art of War three times."

That's really funny. Sun Tzu's Art of War is required reading for all three military academies in the USA (Army, Navy, Airforce). I guess you should listen to your own advise.
AC Dropout
   Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 13:08:25 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
huu76,

"Your selling out it is oxymoronic. You use your freedom to attack the system that gives you those freedoms in favour of one that would take them away. Think about it fool."

You live in a socialist state with a highly regulated economy called Canada. Notice China is also a socialist state with a less regulated economy.

What do you know about the "freedoms" in the USA? You live in a country that is more like China.
AC Dropout
   Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 10:31:36 (PST)    [24.136.115.189]
I Ching,
China is "officially" a partner. Who do you think gives NK the stuff for their nukes? China is known to being two faced. They act nice because they're far from being number one in anything, and do everything behind your back to bring you down. Even congress is beginning to see this.

Potentially the largest market falls in the same category as world's largest standing army. They may be many in number, but little in substance. China's about 4 times the U.S.'s size yet America has 1000 times the purchasing power.
China can't fight a long war if all its revenue comes from the items you find in the dollar store.

So what if there are high casualties in the middle east. Other than oil, name something useful that ever came from that region.

Answer this though. Since NK wants it to be a NK/US problem, why is SK preparing for nuclear retaliation in event of a war? They're brothers are tney not? and SK is now NK's best ally, why whould they attack their friend and family? That, my friend, is the stupidity of SKs current mentality.

Ka,
Unfortunately you'll be seeing a lot more people starving this winter. America stopped (Japan didn't give any at all last year) giving food aid to NK's army. Wait till the army starts to go hungry, after that, either SK continues with the puss policies or you'll see a war break out.
This may sound bad, but it might be nice to see NK conquer the south temporarily, just to see how the children enjoy having their freedoms taken away.

AC,
Your selling out it is oxymoronic. You use your freedom to attack the system that gives you those freedoms in favour of one that would take them away. Think about it fool.
huu76
   Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 07:52:35 (PST)    [65.95.192.81]
ka,

This is I Ching. It is simply not possible for anyone with a compassion for humanity to read about the human suffering and misery that is occurring in the gulags of North Korea and not feel outrage. Perhaps hundreds of thousands of North Korean dissidents have perished in these gulags. It is indeed a grievous violation of human rights.

Yet, it pales in comparison to the brutality and injustice that is occurring in the “Mother of all Gulags” or better known as Hell, that is being run by your master and leader Jesus. There, the bulk of all humanity, millions of peace-loving Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, atheists, etc. are suffering horrendous punishment and abuse simply because, out of innocent ignorance, they have failed to praise your leader, the Mother of all Tyrants. Like Kim Song-Il, your leader is against materialism, capitalism, democracy, but believes in sharing everything communally in endless mass gatherings to commemorate his greatness. Your leader does not follow the rule of law, but instead will pardon liars, terrorists like Timothy McVeigh (who shrewdly accepted the last rites before his execution), Catholic pedophilic priests, and any crook willing to kiss his feet. While Kim Song-Il has yet to use his first weapon of mass destruction, your leader continues to terrorize the world with massive earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, floods, and fire.

Yet, not only do you do nothing about this great injustice, you have become his avid supporter and henchman. Why now your double standard with Kim Song-Il? Is it because you conveniently perceive your leader, whom you have never seen, to have sexy, Nordic features while the Great Leader Kim Song-Il looks like one ugly troll?

Of course, what I am saying above is just a parody. All of this would be really funny but for the fact that almost one-third of humanity actually believes in this stuff. Meanwhile, hundreds of your Christian colleagues are scouring Northeastern China trying to encourage dirt-poor North Koreans who have just escaped the horrors of the cult of Kim to enter yet another bigger cult. The mind boggles. Before America eliminates the terrorists abroad, it should try to eliminate the commie Christian terrorists within.
I Ching
   Friday, January 17, 2003 at 23:07:24 (PST)    [199.183.33.108]

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