Today's flare-up of violence between Pyongyang and Seoul is a serious indication that the threat in the Korean peninsular is real. The potential of this incident affecting the economic and political stability in the region is a cause for concern . However the best remedy is still restrain on all parties concerned.
The North shelling of the South civilian populated island is a serious cause for concern. Its constant threat of war following US-South Korean military exercises has earlier been seen by some western powers of empty threats but today's artillery duel reflected Pyongyang's unpredictability. Its daring act of firing into southern territories amidst a huge naval exercises by the South Navy show Pyongyang's disregard not only against the South military but the US military as well. Thus earlier large scale military exercises by the US-South Korean militaries which aims to send a clear signal of US military seems to fall on deaf ears and instead backfired.
Serious reconsiderations must also be done to examine Seoul's policy towards its northern neighbor.Ever since the Lee Myung-bak Administration started a tough policy towards the North, inter-Korean relations have been on the rocks.While the North provocation did not ended totally during earlier "SunShine Policy" by President Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moon Hyun, it seems President Lee policy of seeking a tough, confrontation stance against the North and seeking closer ties with the US and Japan has invited the extreme wrath of Pyongyang. It also pushes Pyongyang closer to China and even to Russia who sees the US alliances with Seoul and Japan directly affecting its security in the far east.
World powers now need to readjust their views and policies against North Korea following this attack. Tough sanctions and condemnation only fuel even greater hostility by Pyongyang. The example of Iraq without nuclear weapons has made the North more determined to acquire nuclear weapons. With this nuclear deterrence by Pyeongyang , things are more difficult to solve.
The world cannot allow a war to start between the two Koreas as any war eventualities would mean certain death for both Koreas and the world's economy. South Korea with its huge economy would suffer as much as the North if not more worse. There must be restrain on all sides. Earlier UN condemnations and US military threats only added to even greater hostilities.
Conventional methods it seems cannot work in response to North korea whose unpredictability,daring brinksmanship, sharp rehtoric and a secretive military force have puzzled even the most brillant analyst.
The North shelling of the South civilian populated island is a serious cause for concern. Its constant threat of war following US-South Korean military exercises has earlier been seen by some western powers of empty threats but today's artillery duel reflected Pyongyang's unpredictability. Its daring act of firing into southern territories amidst a huge naval exercises by the South Navy show Pyongyang's disregard not only against the South military but the US military as well. Thus earlier large scale military exercises by the US-South Korean militaries which aims to send a clear signal of US military seems to fall on deaf ears and instead backfired.
Serious reconsiderations must also be done to examine Seoul's policy towards its northern neighbor.Ever since the Lee Myung-bak Administration started a tough policy towards the North, inter-Korean relations have been on the rocks.While the North provocation did not ended totally during earlier "SunShine Policy" by President Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moon Hyun, it seems President Lee policy of seeking a tough, confrontation stance against the North and seeking closer ties with the US and Japan has invited the extreme wrath of Pyongyang. It also pushes Pyongyang closer to China and even to Russia who sees the US alliances with Seoul and Japan directly affecting its security in the far east.
World powers now need to readjust their views and policies against North Korea following this attack. Tough sanctions and condemnation only fuel even greater hostility by Pyongyang. The example of Iraq without nuclear weapons has made the North more determined to acquire nuclear weapons. With this nuclear deterrence by Pyeongyang , things are more difficult to solve.
The world cannot allow a war to start between the two Koreas as any war eventualities would mean certain death for both Koreas and the world's economy. South Korea with its huge economy would suffer as much as the North if not more worse. There must be restrain on all sides. Earlier UN condemnations and US military threats only added to even greater hostilities.
Conventional methods it seems cannot work in response to North korea whose unpredictability,daring brinksmanship, sharp rehtoric and a secretive military force have puzzled even the most brillant analyst.
