North Korea

Written By: - Date published: 11:51 am, April 22nd, 2018 - 17 comments
Categories: International, Korea, Politics, Propaganda - Tags: , ,

I can’t quite remember what kind of hullabaloo followed any of the multiple agreements around nuclear testing that were signed off between the US and the USSR or Russian Federation. But I think I’m on safe ground to suggest they were lauded to one degree or another and that credit was claimed by various parties or given to various parties. And I’m pretty sure we were encouraged to feel good about it.

Not so with North Korea’s announcement that it would end its nuclear weapons and long range missile tests as well as shut down its principle nuclear test site. That’s to be treated with anything from downright suspicion to suspicious optimism at best. I guess the problem for many western commentators and news outlets is that everyone possibly connected with this decision has been portrayed as an enemy. So how to say anything positive?

Can’t give credit to Kim Jong-un, because he’s mad, bad and well – “end of story”. Can’t give credit to Donald Trump, because the idea is to undermine him and his administration at every turn, not make him look good. And it’s ‘hardly on’ to suggest that China – the great “Yellow Peril” in many peoples’ eyes – might deserve some credit for making the world just a little safer. And there’ll be no mention of the “little fish” in the big global pond – like South Korea for example. That would be downright absurd!

Best then to diminish and dismiss.

Suspending nuclear and long range missile testing obviously isn’t the same as throwing away a nuclear capacity. But it isn’t the ‘nothing’ that much liberal commentary is suggesting it to be.

As Alex Wellerstein, echoing a fairly widespread understanding, is quoted as saying in an Observer piece

People like to talk about North Korea as ‘crazy’. The absolute ‘craziest’ thing they could do is give up their nuclear deterrent in a situation where they have an aggressive nuclear-armed enemy. Does anyone think they are that crazy? I don’t.

Apparently, North Korea has also dropped objections to US troops being stationed in South Korea and to joint US/South Korea military exercises.

Maybe it’s time (actually, it’s long past time) for western leaders, who have seen fit to starve North Korea into complying with their own notions of what a “good” North Korea should think and do, to cut the ‘holier than thou’ crap. Time to stop using ideas of western moral superiority as an excuse to impose widespread misery on ordinary Koreans. Time to sit down and talk things through.

Constructing an enemy and hammering away at them relentlessly is the lazy, easy and stupid behaviour of incompetents and infantile idiots (as is encouraging such behaviour). Finding common denominators and moving forward on those bases is much more difficult, but much, much better for all of us ordinary people.

17 comments on “North Korea ”

  1. Bill 1

    heh – I’m assuming that’s quite deliberate, yes?

    • Bill 2.1

      So the first “no transmission” comment wasn’t intended after all then? Shame that. I thought it was quite appropriate…if almost a little too subtle 🙂

      • adam 2.1.1

        LOL, no I used the wrong link.

        This case it’s not so much the song (although really quite good) it’s the video that goes with it, that I thought fitted with your post quite well.

    • JohnSelway 2.2

      Fucking dope tune that one

  2. Stuart Munro 3

    Might have something to do with Moon Jae In – used to work with Noh Mo Hyun, who also ran sunshine policies towards the North.

    Cynically though, it may be an anti-China play on the part of the US. The south is pretty pro-US on the whole, though the Iraq invasion disillusioned most of the intelligentsia. The North has leaned increasingly toward China since the Russian abandonment of the soviet model cut off their free arms supplies, but China have also absorbed a fair amount of formerly Korean land. A weak North is forced to lean on China, a reunified Korea might begin to move away from the historical “Lips and teeth” relationship.

    The value of a rail route through both Koreas is calculated to be substantial, and would be a good transitional mechanism to pay for lifting the North out of poverty.

  3. tracey 4

    It will be interesting to see what comes of the US and NK meeting/s. One might equally claim that NK was strategically clever be developing the programme and launching at a range to reach Guam, they finally had a decent bargaining chip.

  4. dukeofurl 5

    Remember it was the US who broke the terms of the Korean armistice by first bringing its own nuclear weapons onto the peninsula.

    Yes it was the mid 50s when that occurred but hey who is the great power that talks to everyone else about ‘decisions have consequences’

  5. … ” Maybe it’s time (actually, it’s long past time) for western leaders, who have seen fit to starve North Korea into complying with their own notions of what a “good” North Korea should think and do, to cut the ‘holier than thou’ crap. Time to stop using ideas of western moral superiority as an excuse to impose widespread misery on ordinary Koreans. Time to sit down and talk things through ”…

    But then again , what about the testimony and footage of Nth Koreas prison /death camps?

    And while a more cooperative, sane and peaceful resolution is good, perhaps the Donald deserves some credit for the John Wayne style diplomacy he used, yet saner was the sanctions…. even though its the little people that suffer most under them. True, it was U.N led by and large , admittedly but the U.S had a rather large point of leverage with Trump…

    Now lets never forget the Nikita Khrushchev and John Kennedy years and the Cuban missile crisis… commentators who have opened up say just how close we were to WW3. Yet Kennedy was lauded as a ‘brave man’ for being both confrontational and diplomatic at the same time.

    Similar to Trump in a way.

    And Kennedy wanted to ‘smash the CIA into a thousand pieces’ and withdraw from Veitnam’.

    Similar again to Trump with the Deep State and the Middle East / Syria etc.

    I think the George Soro’s global media and his City of London Bank masters have tried every which way to discredit Trump. First it was Russian collusion in the US elections which failed, then whipping up a frenzy against Nth Korea… that too has failed… now the latest flavor of the month is Russia is the bad guy in Syria.

    Though I do agree, western notions of superiority are to blame in a big way. Pretty arrogant to say the least.

    But doesn’t it strike you that the real bad guys in all this are in fact the globalist bankers ?

    • dukeofurl 6.1

      Very hard to follow your ramblings which seem to based on …..well a hotchpoge of vague remembering which barely connect with reality

      eg the Kennedy thing only appeared 3 years after his death, and yes he ‘might have said’ after the Bay of Pigs fiasco…. sooooooo
      Trying to Fisk the rest of your stuff… but time is short and likely you would carry on.

      • WILD KATIPO 6.1.1

        Cmon , even you know the Kennedy thing was an example of how social climates change and people of another generation are swift to forget.

        Ramblings indeed.

        And if you cant pick up what I was doing in drawing some similarity’s between now and then and only resort to puerility , – perhaps that speaks more of the fact that you are a blinkered herd Trump hater. Try be a little more objective next time for petes sakes.

        And what ‘Kennedy thing’ ? one of the reasons he was assassinated was BECAUSE he made certain statements about withdrawing from a foreign war and curbing the powers of the Deep State.

        And what ?, – do you reckon he came back from the grave and said those things AFTERWARDS ?

        I get a bit tired of people on blogs playing dumb and acting as they cant understand what someone is saying because it conveniently serves their purpose to insert the words ‘ rambling’, ‘rant’ and be dismissive when they find an opinion that they disagree with.

        Perhaps the thinking of the time including Kennedy’s was the same as Dwight Eisenhower. You are aware of Eisenhower’s valedictory speech …

        No ?

        Here it is just for you.

        Eisenhower Farewell Address (Full) – YouTube

        Whats he warning about ? – a combination of Deep State , a burgeoning unelected military industrial complex , and Communism. Pretty much what Kennedy was about- that and withdrawing from Vietnam. And decades later – pretty much what Trumps been about. Except in Trumps case its partially withdrawing from the Middle East . Less sending troops to foreign wars, less Deep State , – yet like Kennedy – being confrontational if needed. He may not have the polished panache of a Kennedy , – but their are similarities.

        • Stuart Munro 6.1.1.1

          North Korea was pretty Stalinist, even quite recently.

          The deep state may have prompted Lee Myung Bak’s unraveling of the sunshine policy but attributing positive engagement to Trump, absent some evidence, is a bit of a reach.

          The Olympics may have been a more important factor.

        • dukeofurl 6.1.1.2

          Dont be silly.. what you are saying about Kennedy was only ‘reported’ some years after he died was killed by the deep state

          And as others will comment crediting Trump….pleeese

  6. McFlock 7

    To a certain degree it validates Nixon’s “madman” strategy.

    But we’ll see how the summits go. Unilateral pledges are well and good as a precursor to the talks, though.

  7. Tamati Tautuhi 8

    Evidently the North Korean people are very pleasant just like the Cuban people according to people I know who have visited the country ?

    The US have not been particularly kind to either Cuba or North Korea over the years ?

    • dukeofurl 8.1

      The South Korean people dont see the North as some crazed demons, I wonder why
      ?

  8. Well of course if you have your country bombed to hell by some ‘big guy’ nation, and that same ‘big guy’ nation is known to renege on agreements – both written and oral (Russia in Syria, NATO moving towards Russia’s boundaries, Iran nuclear deal etc etc ), sanction upon sanction piled on you by same ‘ big guy’ nation, but hey you’re still standing, then you would want to protect your sovereignty and your people. Kim in my opinion, has played it rather cleverly, no matter the inordinate amount of propaganda we have been subjected to in the West about the ‘little’ man.
    He has done well to keep his country whole and peaceful and is confidently reaching out to the outside world. I would think his confidence is because China has his back as probably does Russia. China needs North Korea as part of the one belt one road initiative. And North Korea has a trove of untapped mineral wealth. I also give credit to the ‘orange’ one. He has done more than any other president to bring about a thawing out of relations between North Korea and the ‘big guy’. I also think that perhaps the big powers (Russia, China and the US ie Trump) are working in collusion to make the world ‘a better place’. But because of deep state power most of the work is behind the scenes and we only see the result of their actions. Well that’s my optimist theory at least.

    And yes my cousin who visited North Korea was very positive about North Korea and its people. Sad that many of us have such a negative/unhelpful view of the country.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government.  I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Daily school attendance data now available
    A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.    “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says.    “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
    Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.    "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-08T16:05:05+00:00