The right sees Obama’s falling numbers and Israeli strain as signs that war with Iran is imminent. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen went on record with “Meet the Press” that America is ready to infiltration Iran. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Front Page Magazine reports that North Korea may be the next dance partner in horrific war. Not only would this be devastating in terms of lost lives, but it would be deadly for production and the world imports market.
A New Korean War in somber tones
North Korea and South Korea have been at each other’s throats over indications of aggression lately – indications which consist of the sinking of the South Korean ship Cheonan – and now the Americas is involved in what could conceivably lead to a New Korean War. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il says his country is ready to fight, which has caused global stocks to plummet. In a recent military broadcast, Jong-il stated that “We don’t hope for war, but if South Korea, with the United States and Japan on its back, tries to us, (we) will finish the task of unification left undone during the…(Korean) war (in 1953)”.
In addition to outright war, North Korea has also said that sanctions levied over the Cheonan incident may also prompt a violent response.
South Korea is an American ally
UPI indicates that half of U.S. adults surveyed by the Angus Reid Public Opinion group believe that a New Korean war is inevitable. Less than half of respondents were opposed to United States involvement. The U.S. would almost certainly be involved if war were to occur on the Korean peninsula, as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pledged on numerous occasions following the Cheonan event the United States will protect their South Korean ally in the event of hostilities.
Saber rattling and business chattering
In America, the noise over a New Korean War is financially troubling, says The Detroit Bureau. Imports to the Americas and Europe would suffer, and South Korea’s economy would be hit hard. The impact on ranging from Hyundai and Daewoo to LG and even Wal-Mart would be tremendous, and not in a good way. The South Korean economy would dip, and also the war would send refugees over the border into China, whose economy would also be hurt. Eventually the domino chain would hit the United States.
America wants South Korean products
Considering reports that South Korean manufacturers are largely unprepared for the possibility of a New Korean War, shipping lanes would likely be shut down or severely impeded. The North Korean army may not scare South Korea or the U.S., but the destructive potential is nevertheless there for lives and wasted dollars. If commerce lanes are blocked, South Korea and America will suffer, despite the fact that North Korea will no doubt suffer ultimate defeat.
Additional reading
Associated Press
newser.com/article/d9h5b3183/north-korea-threatens-nuclear-retaliation-to-us-south-korea-military-exercises.html
The Detroit Bureau
thedetroitbureau.com/2010/05/how-a-new-korean-war-would-affect-u-s-business/
Front Page Magazine
frontpagemag.com/2010/05/26/the-new-korean-war/
Real Clear Politics
realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/08/04/iran_war_option_on_the_table_106598.html
UPI
upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/06/03/US-adults-expect-new-Korean-war/UPI-27261275605162/
