South Korea, Japan continue hard line on N Korea

MeanRingo at 03:40 AM JST - 17th January Really though, I am sure the Norks are evil, but I still can't blame >them for putting up a stink when it comes to the war games the South and >the US play on their doorstep. It is like me and a buddy holding a sign >out in front of my neighbour's house which reads "We're going to kick >your ass and bang your wife, you wussy!" while simultaneously making >Ride'em Cowboy gestures. I wonder how well people on this board would >take that kind of treatment if it were done to them.

Yes I would probably make similar gestures back at them. But I would't go grab my shotgun and kill them. If NKorea doesn't like the US and SKorea conducting excercises near their border no one is stopping them from doing the same near SKorea's border. It doesn't justify firing artillary on a known inhabited island and killing people, does it?

Just ignore them, that is the best policy.

Really though, I am sure the Norks are evil, but I still can't blame them for putting up a stink when it comes to the war games the South and the US play on their doorstep. It is like me and a buddy holding a sign out in front of my neighbour's house which reads "We're going to kick your ass and bang your wife, you wussy!" while simultaneously making Ride'em Cowboy gestures. I wonder how well people on this board would take that kind of treatment if it were done to them.

smithinjapan at 03:18 PM JST - 16th January One mention of the abductees as part of talks while standing beside Lee >and the 'unified face' will be blown apart.

Totally disagree. The North Koreans have abducted an estimated 400 plus South Korean civilians, far far more than any Japanese, and you can bet their survivors aren't going to remain quiet or ignored under the current anti-NKorea mood in South Korea.

North Korea is EVIL!

Ossan: "However, only of NKorea's goals has always been to keep SKorea and Japan at odds and in this regard they appear to have completely miscalculated."

You're correct on that point, so long as it lasts. Moreso than SKorea must, Japan has to tread lightly on this issue if the two countries want to keep this 'unified face', because the slightest disagreement would be a crack that NK would jump on. Japan should, in my opinion, simply do what Maehara is doing now -- show support for the South, and a hardline towards the North in regards to seriousness about talks. One mention of the abductees as part of talks while standing beside Lee and the 'unified face' will be blown apart. Anyway, hopefully it lasts. Naval exercises between the two would be an interesting development and help improve things, I think.

It's funny how they (NK) always talk about how the U.S. and South Korea are training for a war against them, like with the Carl Vinson making a port call to South Korea, and yet no North Koren civilians, or military personel get harmed in any way. How many South Koreans has the North harmed lately?

Hard line against N.K?Pray there will be No-Dongs swishing overhead.

same song Again. its like a Broken Record. North Korea always playing Games & talks tough after its Dumb Actions. THEN say it will get rid of weapons & just Never does.

Note : from the press, rumors referred to NK & plan to station Chinese troops in NK

Correction :Note : from the press, rumors referred to NK & CHINA plan to station Chinese troops in NK.. Sorry for the error

Something to celebrate if it is a whole-hearted united front, from a more in-depth observation, two remarks however : (i) "The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan showed North Korea a tough, unified face " the key word here "unified" -- seemed for window dressing probably under pressure from the US especially towards S. Koreans' misbehaved brother NK ( for many S. Koreans, above all...still a brother ). Then Japan, an unlikely partner as most S. Koreans think keen US support is fine enough. Then Mr. Maehara, an unlikely "co-pliot" to drive such an initiative given his famous hyper-nationalist stance; (ii) Among the 6 nations of the '6-side meeting'..actually the "heavy weights" are hiding behind the scenes.. Hence such a half-hearted initiative remained at best a show of united front. Note : from the press, rumors referred to NK & plan to station Chinese troops in NK..

Some people feel that NKorea was successful in pulling off their attacks on SKorea as they had correctly calculated that China would not only defend them from any UN actions but any actions by SKOrea and the United States would be seen by China as a threat to themselves. However, only of NKorea's goals has always been to keep SKorea and Japan at odds and in this regard they appear to have completely miscalculated. And more signficantly they seem to have miscalculated to what extent SKOrea would keep putting up with NKorea's continuous provocations.

Of course, this hard line is way it should be.

North Korea now is a lost cause. It would be great to say, tell the Chinese to arm their side of the border, and let both the USA and China clean up, you know, start executing this old regime off, get all the soldiers who want to be in the new government a chance for re education, if not, well, then you would have thousands and thousands of so called volunteers for donating body parts to humanity.