As North Korea continues to build its nuclear program, how will its defiance of the international
community impact world events?
BY ROBERT R. FARRELL
In a move possibly timed to coincide with Americas Day of Independence, North Korea
ratcheted up already simmering tensions with the United States by test-firing six ballistic missiles. The
next day, it launched a seventha long-range missile said to be capable of striking U.S. soil. The
launches came despite repeated warnings from Japan, the U.S., and China, North Koreas close ally.
This defiant act clearly signaled North Koreas determination to join the nuclear
club, countries that possess nuclear weapons. In fact, it claims to already possess such weapons,
and many military and intelligence officials believe this to be true.
Even more frightening for the international community is that North Korea appears to be
willing to sell such destructive weapons to rogue nations and terrorist organizations. It has said it will
continue to test its missiles, and has promised reprisals if sanctions are imposed. It has also threatened
nuclear retaliation if attacked.
With a history of unpredictable and confrontational behavior, how will the global ripple
effects of an aggressive nuclear North Korea shape the future balance of world power?
Aggressive Stance
From its capital at Pyongyang, the North Korean government commands the fifth-largest
standing army on earthmore than one million soldiersas well as a vast special operations force,
arguably the worlds second-largest. Its massive, battle-tested armed forces are well equipped with
chemical, biological, conventional and possibly nuclear weapons. Simply put, it is a force to be reckoned
with.
Many arms control experts believe that North Korea has been pursuing nuclear capability
for decades. In 1994, after years of diplomatic wrangling, it agreed to suspend all nuclear-related activities
in exchange for fuel, food and financial aid, primarily from the U.S. and China.
However, this agreement was short-lived. In 2002, Pyongyang restarted its nuclear reactor
at Yongbyon and expelled UN International Atomic Energy Agency monitors. The following year, it withdrew
from the international non-proliferation treaty.
Despite protests from the international community, North Korea has defiantly stated it
has the right to a nuclear self-defense deterrent and that it will continue developing its nuclear
program. This belligerent approach has strained its relationship with the United States, South Korea, Japan
and even China, all of which are concerned about Pyongyangs military intentions. As a result, North
Korea is widely seen as the greatest threat to peace in the Far East.
North Korea at a Glance
Area: Slightly smaller than Mississippi
Natural Resources: Coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper,
gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower
Geography: Strategic location bordering China, South Korea and Russia; mountainous
interior is isolated and sparsely populated
Population: 23,113,019 (July 2006 estimate)
Environmental Issues: Water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne
disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradationSource: CIAs World Factbook
Economic Distress
North Korea has one of the worlds most centrally-planned and isolated economies.
The communist-led government sets all prices, wages and production levels, and all products are manufactured
by state-run enterprises. After years of underinvestment and mismanagement, the countrys industrial
infrastructure is believed to be beyond repair, resulting in, for example, a chronic shortage of spare parts
for industrial machines.
In the 1990s, the countrys economy declined dramatically under a combination of
economic mismanagement, natural disasters, fertilizer shortages and the collapse of its main benefactor,
the Soviet Union. For an economy that was never robust to begin with, the results were catastrophic. Poor
agricultural yields led to severe food shortages and widespread starvation. It is estimated that during
its time of economic decline, between 600,000 and 3.5 million North Koreans3% to 15% of the populationstarved
to death. Since then, the country has relied heavily on aid from China, South Korea, the U.S. and international
agencies to feed its population, with China and South Korea being the leading providers.
The country continues to experience food shortages mainly due to a lack of arable land,
inefficient farming practices and shortages of tractors and fuel. In 2005, it experienced its 11th consecutive
year of food shortages. With famine continuing to be a very real threat, it is widely believed that a desperate
North Korea is using its nuclear aggression as leverage to negotiate a non-aggression pact with America
and an ongoing supply of food aid from the international community to feed its malnourished population.
This shortage of food for its citizens is partly due to the maintenance and expansion
of its military. It is estimated that the country spends 25% of its gross national product (GNP) on the
military, the highest rate in the world. (By comparison, its rival South Korea spends only 2.5% of GNP on
its military.) This has enabled North Korea to have a standing army of one million soldiers and a formidable
arsenal of biological, chemical and conventional weapons.
In addition, Pyongyang is a major exporter of arms to many nations, including volatile
nations such as Iran and Pakistan.
Global Rippling Effects
The international community is concerned about North Korea for a number of reasons:
The erratic, unpredictable and aggressive nature of its government
Its lack of commitment to abide by internationally-accepted codes of conduct
Its sale of weapons to unstable rogue nations and possibly terrorist groups
Its determination to develop nuclear weapons
The threat of it attacking and occupying South Korea
In 2003, the worlds leading nations initiated Six-Party Talks in an
attempt to persuade the North Korean government to give up its nuclear ambitions, with the proposed incentive
of receiving increased economic aid, as well as a security agreement from Washington not to attack North
Korea.
However, after several rounds of talks, little progress has been made.
As it continues to press ahead with its nuclear program, Pyongyangs aggressive stance
is causing rippling effects across the world scene.
United States: The U.S. has tens of thousands of troops on the border between North
and South Korea, on guard against any potential attack on the South.
However, the American military is also occupied in a number of hotspot regions,
including Iraq and Afghanistan. If the decision was made to remove U.S. troops from South Korea (which is
possible), would the South be able to withstand an attack from the North? And, with its military resources
spread so thin around the world, how would the U.S. react?
Also, any attempted invasion of North Korea would be a highly risky move, most likely
resulting in disaster. With its massive army, huge stockpile of weapons, and long-range Taepodong-2
missiles capable of hitting U.S. soil, North Korea represents a nightmare scenario for the Pentagon,
far worse than Vietnam. A powerful well-armed North Korea with potential Chinese support is a different
proposition than Iraq. Would the U.S. public be able to stomach a long-term war with potentially hundreds
of thousands of casualties?
China: Since its founding, North Korea has had close ties with the Chinese government,
its chief supplier of food and fuel. China has an interest in building a stable North Korea, chiefly because
of the threat of millions of refugees streaming over its border in search of food.
However, relations between the two countries appear to have cooled in recent years, due
to North Koreas erratic behavior. As North Korea continues to advance its nuclear program, will Beijing
be able to persuade it to cooperate with the world community?
Japan: The Japanese and North Korean governments have not had diplomatic relations
for some time due to long-term hostility. The two countries are historic enemies, with bitterness rising
to new heights after Japans occupation of Korea and the atrocities it committed in World War II. Contentious
relations continued in the second half of the century, most notably in the 1970s and 80s when a number of
Japanese nationals were abducted by North Korean spies, sparking national outrage.
Self-Reliant Nation
North Koreas impact on the world scene outweighs its size. Bordered by Russia, China
and South Korea, it has a population of 23 million, in a landmass slightly smaller than the state of Mississippi.
This communist country is perhaps the most isolated, highly controlled nation in the world. Citizens are
closely monitored (for instance, cellphones were once banned), and the government restricts travel into
and out of the country.
Even though the Korean people have a long history, North Korea is a relatively new nation,
formed at the end of World War II. When the Soviet Union and the United States defeated the Japanese occupiers,
Korea was divided into two nations, one north of the 38th parallel, and the other south. Since then, Russia
and China have supported the communist North, while the U.S. has backed the democratic South.
Internally, North Korea has had political stability, having only two leaders in its history,
Kim Il Sung (known as Great Leader) and his son, Kim Jong-il (known as Dear Leader).
At its founding under Kim Il Sung, the government practiced a policy of economic and diplomatic self-reliance
(juiche) in order to counteract the excessive influence of other nations, including even its
closest allies, the Soviets and Chinese. This policy, while continuing to be officially maintained, has
been a failure, as North Korea is heavily dependent upon other nations for food.
In 1998, North Korea once again ignited controversy when it test-fired a missile over
Japan, causing great alarm. Tensions between the two rose dramatically after the July 2006 test-firings,
with many in Japan calling for the expansion of its military. In fact, Japan is so concerned about the recent
missile test-fires thatfor the first time since World War IIsome leaders considered a preemptive
strike on North Koreas missile bases!
Will North Koreas actions give rise to Japanese nationalism and (as many worry)
the emergence of Japan as a military and strategic counterweight?
The Middle East: Pyongyang is said to have provided weapons to a number of Middle
Eastern nations, including Iran. It is also believed to be a sponsor of terrorism. How will this change
the balance of power in the Mid-East?
As the state of Israel is supported by the U.S., the Arab nations have long sought sponsorship
for their cause. So too have the terrorist organizations. A well-armed North Korea provides a potentially
attractive option, particularly for weapons procurement and military training. The attraction of such a
relationship for North Korea would be the ability to procure large quantities of cheap oil, so desperately
needed. It is believed that the Arab nations are possibly arming themselves for future war with Israel.
It remains to be seen what part North Korea would play if war were to occur.
What Lies Ahead?
What role will North Korea ultimately play in world affairs? Intelligence analysts, military
specialists and government leaders continually monitor and analyze these and other geopolitical situations
and potential scenarios. However, no human being can precisely predict the decisions a rogue nation will
make, or how the outcome of such decisions will affect mankinds future.
But there is one source that has analyzed and laid outin advance!the future
geopolitical scene. Few understand that this analysis is revealed in the Bible. One third of
Scripture is prophecy, of which much is foretold to be fulfilled in the latter daysour
time now!
It is likely that North Koreas million-man army will join a prophesied Eurasian
power-bloc (the Kings of the East , along with Russia, which will eventually fight a European
superpower for world domination at the end of the age. The very survival of humanity will be threatened.
Just when all life will be on the verge of extinction, Jesus Christ will return and stop
humanity from destroying itself, putting an end to all wars: And He shall judge among the nations,
and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks:
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
At that time, North Korea and all other nations will permanently abandon their nuclear
programs. 06/09/02RT-4-5-6
* Source: The Real Truth Magazine BY: Robert R. Farrell
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