Comments on: The fourth Northeastern province?

By: R.elgin

R.elgin — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 17:39:55 +0000

The Chinese are notorious in the use of agression. Just today in the New York Times, one can read: “A senior Chinese official, asked why Beijing was now spending large sums to build up its military, even with no perceivable threat, did not hesitate when he said, “But we do face legitimate threats, from the secessionists in Taiwan and from terrorists.”

As if a small, defensively armed Tiawan represents a valid “threat” to the PRC! I suppose some of the non-Han, ethnic minorities represent a grave threat as well, especially since these people are not members of the Communist Party.

By: Scott-in-Japan

Scott-in-Japan — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 22:46:52 +0000

“South Korean help with financing could speed up construction.”

That sure would make it easier for Chinese tanks to roll across the border…

By: Brendon Carr

Brendon Carr — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 21:47:40 +0000

Well, a wag would say that to Koreans international “friendship” is a one-way concept.

By: virtual wonderer

virtual wonderer — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:21:18 +0000

Come on, China is not a threat. Ahh.. maybe it is… a billion chinese people are just waiting to come to Seoul to open up restaurants and give us coronary diseases… I can just feel it.

Anything that makes the information blockade in the DPRK weaker should be lauded on. I mean, wasn’t DPRK always dependent on it’s sponsor countries?

I wish we can put an informant in there telling us what SKorean or US films and dramas are popular. I wonder how much Chinese and japanese dramas they watch.

By: Martey

Martey — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 07:18:42 +0000

In the last picture in the Chosun article, it looks like the current Friendship Bridge only provides for one lane of traffic. What’s up with that?

By: kimbob

kimbob — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 04:01:53 +0000

Of course, why would China continue to pour its resources to North Korea, in a losing proposition? To prop it up, then swallow it up someday without firing a single shot. Look at North Korea’s fishing agreement with China. Swarms of Chinese boats are ravaging the sea around the border of North and South Korea. South Koreans can’t do a single thing about it, because the North Koreans, desperate economically, have given away their fishing grounds to Chinese overfishing. This is my question. IF one day Korea reunites again under southern terms, will all the agreements that were made by North Korea and China, still be valid? I bet China will say they still are.

By: Kushibo

Kushibo — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 02:27:47 +0000

I think it has been obvious for the past several years that China is at least considering a Chos??n land grab in case things get out of hand there. Arguably, that’s what the whole Kogury?? issue was about. I’m not sure if the North Koreans would stand for it, but depending on how it happens, they might have no choice.

And just how would the rest of the world react if the People’s Republic of China takes over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the name of “stability” and “security,” and then decides to squat?

Some people would say that South Korea deserves to have that happen, considering how they’re cozying up to Beijing and Pyongyang, but I think an argument could be made that engagement with North Korea is designed, in part, to prevent such a thing.

By: snow

snow — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 00:39:27 +0000

sorry, should have been a comma after: ’sunshine policy,’ but with articles like this…

By: snow

snow — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 00:38:08 +0000

Very interesting perspective. The whole issue of international relations in the region are obviously incredibly complex. Although i’m not especially sympathetic to Roh or the ’sunshine policy’ with articles like this, I can see that they are definitely acting in what they see as their own best interests. I think they’re making a mistake in alienating the US, but they should be acting in their own best interests, just as the US should.