U.S. Confronts Choices on North Korea

Even though America has denied that it has any intentions to attack or invade North Korea, like Venezuela?s Hugo Chavez, reclusive North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il says that his nation must always be prepared for an inevitable U.S. attack. This is the country?s reasoning behind it?s announcement recently that the regime intends to detonate a nuclear weapon in the near future.

But Kim?s nuclear brinkmanship may turn his paranoia into a self-fulfilling prophecy if the Democratic People?s Republic of Korea (as Pyongyang calls its regime) tests a nuclear weapon. If the North becomes a full-fledged member of the nuclear club (instead of just an alleged member), then South Korea?s rapprochement policy will be called into question. Japan and South Korea may decide that the way to go is to build their own nuclear arsenals.

And the U.S., which has stated America ?will not live? with such a nuclear armed North Korea, will either have to act to show that it?s word remains credible, or appear weak by not living up to its word. Like Venezuela, North Korea is playing a dangerous game that will likely create more losers than winners, but it isn?t likely that Kim, with his desire to continually appear strong before his own military and his foes around the world, will realize this for his regime before it is too late.

                                 

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