There is a dangerous political leader on the Korean peninsula, who fantasizes that he can win a nuclear confrontation, recklessly endangering the lives of millions his own people. The conflict which he seems determined on provoking will have a cascade of devastating consequences, and draw in the regional powers in a horrendous conflict. All his actions have heightened tensions with his powerful neighbour, and he has rebuffed all moves towards a peaceful resolution of the latest standoff.
You think I am talking about Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader? No, the most dangerous man on the Korean peninsula is Lee Myung-bak, the South Korean president.
Have a read of this excellent article in Counterpunch by Peter Lee to find out why the South Korean president is a dangerous psychopath. Lee Myung-bak has the full backing of the Obama administration.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Following up on the Korean conflict
The excellent online magazine Counterpunch has two informative articles that follow up the latest increase in tensions on the Korean peninsula. It is very worthwhile to read both in order to respond to the drivel in the corporate-controlled media.
The first is by Gregory Elich and is entitled Menacing North Korea. Elich sets out how the South Korean government, with the connivance of the Obama administration, has deliberately escalated tensions with the North Koreans, a process that has initiated a cascading set of repercussions that could easily get out of control. Elich goes into the relevant political and historical background, highlighting the culpability of the Seoul regime in producing the latest crisis. For instance, Elich states that
"President Lee Myung-bak of the conservative Grand National Party took office in February 2008, vowing to reverse the Sunshine Policy of warming relations with North Korea. The government of Lee's predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun, had signed several agreements on economic cooperation with North Korea, including joint mining operations in the North. Lee killed every one these agreements, ensuring that they would never be implemented."
Elich interestingly points out that China has taken a reasonable position, offering to mediate in this latest crisis, measures that have been rebuffed by the United States. White House officials sneeringly dismissed China's moves towards dialogue as a useless series of "P. R. activities".
Go read the whole thing.
The second article is by regular Counterpunch contributor, Mike Whitney. Headlined The Korean War, Round Two, Whitney criticises the Obama administration's wilful escalation of tensions, warns of the disastrous consequences should the Pyongyang regime be backed into a corner. Whitney points out that holding joint US/South Korea military exercises right at the doorstep of North Korea is "no different than if China or Russia sent an armada to conduct operations 3 miles off Cape Cod." Go read the article here.
We need to be better informed of the actions of the big powers if we are to have any hope of resolving these conflicts peacefully.
The first is by Gregory Elich and is entitled Menacing North Korea. Elich sets out how the South Korean government, with the connivance of the Obama administration, has deliberately escalated tensions with the North Koreans, a process that has initiated a cascading set of repercussions that could easily get out of control. Elich goes into the relevant political and historical background, highlighting the culpability of the Seoul regime in producing the latest crisis. For instance, Elich states that
"President Lee Myung-bak of the conservative Grand National Party took office in February 2008, vowing to reverse the Sunshine Policy of warming relations with North Korea. The government of Lee's predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun, had signed several agreements on economic cooperation with North Korea, including joint mining operations in the North. Lee killed every one these agreements, ensuring that they would never be implemented."
Elich interestingly points out that China has taken a reasonable position, offering to mediate in this latest crisis, measures that have been rebuffed by the United States. White House officials sneeringly dismissed China's moves towards dialogue as a useless series of "P. R. activities".
Go read the whole thing.
The second article is by regular Counterpunch contributor, Mike Whitney. Headlined The Korean War, Round Two, Whitney criticises the Obama administration's wilful escalation of tensions, warns of the disastrous consequences should the Pyongyang regime be backed into a corner. Whitney points out that holding joint US/South Korea military exercises right at the doorstep of North Korea is "no different than if China or Russia sent an armada to conduct operations 3 miles off Cape Cod." Go read the article here.
We need to be better informed of the actions of the big powers if we are to have any hope of resolving these conflicts peacefully.
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