Forbes (May 17) Forbes (May 17)
The sinking of South Korea’s Cheonan naval vessel killing 46 sailors was “the entirely predictable outcome of an abrupt shift in North-South relations.” Since election, South Korean President Lee has reversed agreements reached by his predecessor Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong II. A cycle of claims and counterclaims ensued, with each country blaming the other for violating its maritime zone. On November 10, Kim Jong-II visited a naval base and called for heroes “for do-or-die squads at sea.” The editorial suggests that “the only way to fix things is to try negotiating.” Threats and punishments are unlikely to work. North Korea will simply take bigger risks.
The sinking of South Korea’s Cheonan naval vessel killing 46 sailors was “the entirely predictable outcome of an abrupt shift in North-South relations.” Since election, South Korean President Lee has reversed agreements reached by his predecessor Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong II. A cycle of claims and counterclaims ensued, with each country blaming the other for violating its maritime zone. On November 10, Kim Jong-II visited a naval base and called for heroes “for do-or-die squads at sea.” The editorial suggests that “the only way to fix things is to try negotiating.” Threats and punishments are unlikely to work. North Korea will simply take bigger risks.
Tags: Cheonan, Kim Jong Il, North Korea, South Korea
