North Korea - war on the horizon?
- Thread starter Kreskin
- Start date
So? NK still can't afford to do much. Most of NK's military is geared for war against SK.
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blogs-and-comment/how-does-north-korea-sustain-its-economy/
And from Wiki: "The energy sector is one of the most serious bottlenecks in the North Korean economy. Since 1990 the supply of oil, coal, and electricity declined steadily, and seriously affected all sectors of the economy. Crude oil was formerly imported by pipeline at “friendship prices” from the former USSR or China, but the withdrawal of Russian concessions and the reduction of imports from China brought down annual imports from about 23 million barrels (3.7×106 m3) in 1988 to less than 4 million barrels (640×103 m3) by 1997. As the imported oil was refined for fuels for transportation and agricultural machinery, a serious cutback in oil imports caused critical problems in transportation and agriculture.
According to statistics compiled by the South Korean agency Statistics Korea based on International Energy Agency (IEA) data per capita electricity consumption fell from its peak in 1990 of 1247 kilowatt hours to a low of 712 kilowatt hours in 2000. It has slowly risen since to 819 kilowatt hours in 2008, a level below that of 1970.[20][21]
North Korea has no coking coal, but has substantial reserves of anthracite in Anju, Aoji (Ŭndŏk), and other areas. Coal production peaked at 43 million tons in 1989 and steadily declined to 18.6 million tons in 1998. Major causes of coal shortages include mine flooding, and outdated mining technology. As coal was used mainly for industry and electricity generation, decrease in coal production caused serious problems in industrial production and electricity generation. Coal production may not necessarily increase significantly until North Korea imports modern mining technology[original research?].
Electricity generation of North Korea peaked in 1989 at about 30 TWh. There were seven large hydroelectric plants in the 1980s. Four were along the Yalu River, built with Chinese aid, and supplying power to both countries. In 1989, 60% of electricity generation was hydroelectric and 40% fossil fueled, mostly coal-fired.
In 1997, coal accounted for more than 80% of primary energy consumption and hydropower more than 10%. Net imports of coal represented only about 3% of coal consumption. Hydroelectric power plants generated about 65% of North Korea's electricity and coal-fired thermal plants about 35% in 1997[citation needed]. However, with only 20% of the per capita electricity generation of Japan, the DPRK suffers from chronic supply shortages.
Some hydroelectric facilities are believed to be out of operation due to damages from major flooding in 1995. Coal-fired power plants have been running well under capacity in recent years, due in part to a serious decline in coal supply and in part to problems with transportation of coal. The electricity supply steadily declined and was 17 TWh in 1998. Since electricity generated should double up just to return to the 1989 level, power shortages will continue until coal production increases substantially and generating equipment is refurbished[original research?]. Transmission losses are reported to be around 30%[citation needed]."
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A gunship isn't always the best way to avoid civilian targets. And remember, South Koreans still consider North Koreans to be a common people with them and hope for reunification, so I doubt the South would have the stomach to carpet bomb the North except as an absolute last resort.
I agree completely. My comment was only intended to emphasise that numbers of people under arms is not the be-all and end-all in modern warfare.
The Koreans are siblings, closer than cousins. Here's a wacky idea. Let's let THEM take the lead in how to reconcile, and just this once content ourselves with a supporting role. (By "us," I mean the U.S.)
The US will not attack North Korea. The North Korean military is too big for the US to attack it. The US only attacks countries with small or non-existent armed forces. It will never attack a country with almost 10 million men in uniform.
Not with the current president anyway.....BTW, I haven't noticed the Brits taking on China either.......those who live in glass houses.....
I'd have never rented a city to begin with. But that's just me; I dislike cities. I'm a life-lover and variety is a good thing. Cities are almost entirely populated with human life. Boring. And I ain't a Brit anyway.
You know what they say about mad dogs and Englishmen.
Ah, it is only Tiny Kim waving his john henry around to impress his military. I guess they are all so small that they are impressed by his. I bet he has the biggest deck in NK.
The NK can level Seoul in the first 1- 2 hrs- Just with artillery. The NK have increasing over the years pushed the limits with confrontations 0 Beginning about 92.
With such a tinderbox, him trying to assert control after the mass purges when he became Dear leader the 3rd, a mistake can happen quite easily.
Now cases like this makes a person wonder about Iran.
I see this leadership issue in North Korea as a third generation business venture by a single family. If Dear Leader III even makes a move to cross any borders his entire business venture will collapse over night. Once the North Korean people find out there is food, clothing, medical attention and shelter in the south they revolt and out run their own Army heading in that direction. I f anyone has NK stock dump it quick before it becomes valueless.
Maybe so with SK but if others get involved....just look at how the US avoided hitting civilians in Iraq & Afghanistan.
How does a a nation like North Korea exist and WHY does it exist?
China hates Japan and Korea (N&S) and Japan and South Korea don't get along.
When you look at it, it's a benefit for Japan for there to be N Korea. Both stregically and economically.
If it benefits S Korea and Japan it benefits the US and it benefits Russia.
Indonesian tribesmen could invade N Korea by canoe and win but for some odd reason, North Korea exists?
Think about it.
Even though our predators are all up in Pakistan's face as well as border raids. Better luck next time.