Reflection Week 14

The initial thought that came in to my mind when I heard of North Korea's attack on South Korean island was the idea that I may be drafted to serve in the military should there be a war between the two Koreas. As a male citizen of South Korea, I was required to serve in military for 2 years, but the country also had the right to draft me if a war broke out. Despite many Korean public opinion that we should go to war with North Korea, it is really quite unlikely that a full scale war would break out. However, it is also true that there is an increased tension in East Asia, which cannot be ignored, because despite being a small region, it is also one of the most unstable region of all.

There has always been tension in East Asia, although it seemed to have been abating due to increased diplomatic relationship between North Korea and other countries. However, a torpedo attack on South Korean battleship which was connected to North Korea and also the artillery fire on the island recently, it seems that the diplomatic relationship was breaking down and a power contest between nations seem to have been developing. As a realist, North Korea has played its card by revealing its new uranium enrichment facilities and also by attacking North Korea. However, it seems that the US and South Korea are not doing anything particular in retaliation except for carrying out a joint military training near North Korea. This training to me is simply a demonstration of the military might that North Korea would have to fight if there is a war, and I think it is the best realist approach possible as for now. Hardcore realists would argue that we must retaliate in a military fashion and show that we are no pushovers; however, in a world that increasingly emphasizes peace and cooperation, such action is likely to draw much criticism. Instead, by demonstrating the power, US and South Korea is showing that if North Korea decides to act in a rash manner then they would be met with a strong resistance, thereby reducing the risk of future attacks.

However, except the demonstration nothing much has been done, which is really worrying if we reflect on world history. Germany prior to World War 2 acted in a similar fashion; they built up there military and threatened surrounding nations. The world police at the time, which were France and Britain, maintained an appeasement strategy through which they allowed Germany to do what it wanted, and it ultimately led to World War 2. I fear the same might be happening with North Korea; they are doing what they want, such as enriching uranium and attacking South Korea, but nothing definite has been done to keep them in line, which may possibly promote further actions from North Korea. However, as mentioned above, there is nothing much that can be done in a hardcore fashion. This poses a serious dilemma for US and South Korea, because nothing extreme can be done and we are in a weird position where whatever actions we take will have serious, and most likely, very significant, impact on the current situation.

All in all, North Korea has played its two strongest cards, and South Korea and US does not have anything as strong to counter it. In the current situation, it seems that North Korea may have a strong initiative over South Korea and US; however, it would also be interesting to see what their reaction would be to the card US and South Korea has played recently, which is the joint military training in which the military might has been demonstrated for North Koreans to see.