If You Ever Wondered How Wars Start..

[Saxon]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/world/asia/24korea.html?_r=2

This is how. The long and short of it is that North Korea shelled Yeonpyeong Island, an island in South Korean territory that is also a garrison for SK marines. In the attack, 2 soldiers were killed, 15 were wounded and 3 civillians injured. The South Koreans were swift to denounce the attack with promises of retaliation if any further attacks are incurred, and the United States has also issued a statement condemning the attacks.

What provoked these attacks? Apparently the SK were testing their own artillery too close to the border, according to officials in North Korea. The rest you can read in the article.

This is one of those times that you just really wish a show of force and some key diplomacy can get both sides to back down. But, wars have been incited for much less, and with the animosity and bad blood between these two countries already its easy to see it wouldn't take much to push either side over the edge.

Updates will come as I hear them, but I figured this was worth mentioning.

[Rayse Valentino]

North Korea has done much worse to the South without starting a war. All that's gonna happen is some posturing, the South will make some threats, then the North will have a parade celebrating their triumph over the imperialists.

[Scrotus]

Well they have technically been at war since the 1950's... Only thing in place keeping them from going all out is a shakey truce

[Saxon]

Well they have technically been at war since the 1950's... Only thing in place keeping them from going all out is a shakey truce

This thing has been on shaky ground for awhile. A lot of predictions have been made that our next stop for military engagement would probably either be in Iran, Pakistan or North Korea. And I understand all the sniping and the showboating between the powers, but seeing as we put ourselves in the middle of this dick measuring contest as the mediator since the 50s, what they do to provoke each other is of some concern to us. Its shit like this that can get us pulled into another war. Real Politicking on the behalf of your people as a tinpot dictator for press time is one thing, its completely different when you're doing it by shelling the imperialists.

[Elrundir]

I dunno. This looks like it's getting pretty serious. Obviously tensions have been high between those two countries for... well, ever, but this looks like a powder keg just waiting to go off.

http://beta.ca.news.yahoo.com/north-korea-readies-missiles-china-seeks-talks-20101128.html

[Hysteria]

If a war breaks out North Korea will probably destroy most of Seoul very quickly. Then the North would run out of steam due to the lack of economic development required for a long term war. America would get involved, with China probably increasing its material support to the North. If Japan got involved it might cause China to start providing even more support, then very bad things would happen.

I'm not sure how far China would go to keep North Korea as a buffer between it and America, but probably quite a lot...

[Melancor]

I don't think even China fancies North Korea that much anyway; I think they themselves have reprimanded North Korea several times. At the same time I don't think NK is very fond of China, soley because of the common - well, communism. I'm not claiming to know anything, but they keep talking about the North's weak economy and their desperate need to find some economic in-take, most of this revolving around policies with the United States, but at the same time they are trying to retain sovereignty, hence some of the not-so-recent military displays in the Korean waters. Which makes me think that if NK is really interested how they could benefit from the U.S. is because that economic security is something China can't really give them. - But that's no insult to China's growing economy.

I mean, it takes a great deal to be interested in what a secondary enemy can give you than a direct friend can.

[Saxon]

I had some thoughts on this, but the browser closed on me. Instead, I will reward you with a video by Jon Stewart and his segment on the current conflict between North and South Korea;

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-november-29-2010/il-communication

Bit long, but funny.

[Hysteria]

I don't think even China fancies North Korea that much anyway; I think they themselves have reprimanded North Korea several times. At the same time I don't think NK is very fond of China, soley because of the common - well, communism. I'm not claiming to know anything, but they keep talking about the North's weak economy and their desperate need to find some economic in-take, most of this revolving around policies with the United States, but at the same time they are trying to retain sovereignty, hence some of the not-so-recent military displays in the Korean waters. Which makes me think that if NK is really interested how they could benefit from the U.S. is because that economic security is something China can't really give them. - But that's no insult to China's growing economy.

I mean, it takes a great deal to be interested in what a secondary enemy can give you than a direct friend can.

China wants to keep North Korea as it currently is, or around that sort of general power. Rather than describing their relationship as a like, its probably more like a 'strategic friendship'. Kinda like if a hot chick in hight school hangs out with a less hot chick to be the one that catches bitchy remarks first. The hot chick occasionally gives the other tips on how to be hot, but never enough so that she might be a threat.

China solely gives support to North Korea to act as a buffer between it and america should there be a war. NK hates america, which, added to its geographic location makes it a good buffer.

I don't think there will be a war though, NK would get destroyed, and I think they know that.

[Saxon]

I don't think there will be a war though, NK would get destroyed, and I think they know that.

Depends. North Korea is desperate for food. All of its funding is going to the military and the UN sanctions are starting to take effect. It could just be hitting the tin pot for now, but if it can't get any food soon, it might escalate.