re: #32 Fenway_Nation

And S. Korea’s former president jumped off a cliff last week. Kinda makes you wonder if he knows something the rest of us don’t.

He knew an indictment was forthcoming; probably that was enough for him.

As for this mess - just when you thought it couldn’t get worse….

Probably typical bluster; I hope. Wouldn’t wanna be living in Seoul right now, what with the thousands of NorK arty tubes all pointed that way, and zeroed in.

If Dear Leader’s on the way out - assuming he hasn’t died already, it’s a real problem. I understand his heir’s just a kid (less than 30 yrs old, about 26 or 27), and one of the recurring problems with dictatorial dynasties (NorK’s seem to have the only known example) is that they combine the instability of dictatorship with the succession problems of a monarchy. They offer the weaknesses of two of the worst possible means of government out there.

Factor in generals pulling the strings, ongoing famine, and 50 plus years of juche, and it’s a recipe for disaster on the peninsula, with repercussions throughout Asia, already reeling from a global recession.

Re-arm Japan? Might be the best of a range of bad options, but could fuel Chinese nationalism, hardening the PRC’s Party and its grip on society; might make ROC on Taiwan very nervous indeed.