Why hasn't North Korea tried to start World War 3?

[rommelrommel]

they don't even have the "mutual" part of mutually assured destruction down.

Hey, there's an off chance that they could deliver a nuke to the general vicinity of Seoul that might go off if they were really lucky.

 

[MongGrel]

Because China won't allow it.

This, for starters.

 

[Karl Agathon]

SSBN and SSGN Ftw!!

 

[IndyColtsFan]

If NK has the largest supply of oil I know for a fact pundits would be giving similar arguments that the korean oil would pay for the war and so forth.

Low brow pundit arguments taken seriously by low iq top brass.

You don't seem to know much, especially "for a fact." You clearly do not understand the dynamics of the Korean peninsula as evidenced by your posts in this thread. If you really are talking to South Koreans who are telling you these things, well, they're incredibly naïve and have a huge blind spot. Do these same people also tell you that the US started the Korean War, which is the official North Korean line?

 

[smackababy]

Now that I think about it, NK might actually benefit greatly from going to war. Think about it. If NK started a war and lost heavily, they could surrender and have the US rebuild, as we are pretty much obligated to do (thanks Hitler...). They will get the benefit of a huge reconstruction of their country, lose some thousands of hungry mouths, and it wouldn't be viewed as weak as simply allowing US influence.

 

[fskimospy]

Now that I think about it, NK might actually benefit greatly from going to war. Think about it. If NK started a war and lost heavily, they could surrender and have the US rebuild, as we are pretty much obligated to do (thanks Hitler...). They will get the benefit of a huge reconstruction of their country, lose some thousands of hungry mouths, and it wouldn't be viewed as weak as simply allowing US influence.

North Korea as a country might be better off, but their leadership would end up either dead or in prison. So from their perspective that's a no-go.

 

[mastercoin]

Now that I think about it, NK might actually benefit greatly from going to war. Think about it. If NK started a war and lost heavily, they could surrender and have the US rebuild, as we are pretty much obligated to do (thanks Hitler...). They will get the benefit of a huge reconstruction of their country, lose some thousands of hungry mouths, and it wouldn't be viewed as weak as simply allowing US influence.

Good point, but I am afraid a global nuclear war would preclude ANY rebuilding ANYwhere becuase mutual assured destruction would preclude such rebuilding efforts

 

[smackababy]

Good point, but I am afraid a global nuclear war would preclude ANY rebuilding ANYwhere becuase mutual assured destruction would preclude such rebuilding efforts

It wouldn't be a nuclear war and it wouldn't be anywhere near global. It is estimated NK has like under 15 nuclear warheads and no delivery system. I'm sure they could try and FedEx that shit somewhere, but it ain't happening.

 

[zinfamous]

I'm just waiting for Fat III to come limping out from his 1 month sojourn and announced that he has discovered the immortal secret to limitless energy: condensed donut thermodynamics!

 

[zinfamous]

It wouldn't be a nuclear war and it wouldn't be anywhere near global. It is estimated NK has like under 15 nuclear warheads and no delivery system. I'm sure they could try and FedEx that shit somewhere, but it ain't happening.

They'll target, and can reach Seoul (I think). Sure, they might end up hitting PyongYang instead, but whatever.

 

[Black Octagon]

This is true, had the US stayed out of Korean politics the two Koreas would have merged back in the 1950's, haha.

Counter-factual statement. You cannot prove that a hypothetical event would have happened had a real historical event not happened (or happened some other way). The only historical evidence we have is real events being succeeded by other real events, and even that does not prove causation.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I'm just waiting for Fat III to come limping out from his 1 month sojourn and announced that he has discovered the immortal secret to limitless energy: condensed donut thermodynamics!

The news reported last night that he made an appearance yesterday.

 

[OverVolt]

Obligatory "Because they would instantly lose"

 

[cabri]

Counter-factual statement. You cannot prove that a hypothetical event would have happened had a real historical event not happened (or happened some other way). The only historical evidence we have is real events being succeeded by other real events, and even that does not prove causation.

Given the fact that the communist side (China, Russia & NK) had rolled almost completely down the peninsula; had the US/UN exited at that point, then it would have been one Korea.

 

[fskimospy]

Counter-factual statement. You cannot prove that a hypothetical event would have happened had a real historical event not happened (or happened some other way). The only historical evidence we have is real events being succeeded by other real events, and even that does not prove causation.

As entertaining as the "well nobody can ever know anything" school of argument is, you can can it.

Even with US intervention the joint US/South Korean forces were almost destroyed. I'm not aware of any credible source that believes the South Korean Army alone could have prevented the forcible reunification of the peninsula.

So yes, while something crazy always could have happened, a militarily unified Korea under North Korean leadership is by far the most likely outcome to that scenario.

 

[nageov3t]

even if they did declare war, what would make it a "World War"?

certainly, I can't imagine China, Russia, or even tiny Iran supporting them if they were the aggressor nation.

 

[piasabird]

North Korea has never officially ended hostilities with South Korea. They would have to end the war they started before they could declare war!

 

[rockyct]

Given the fact that the communist side (China, Russia & NK) had rolled almost completely down the peninsula; had the US/UN exited at that point, then it would have been one Korea.

At the time, NK was also more advanced than SK with the help from the Soviets. They caught the US/SK/UN off guard and did just roll down the peninsula until only the south east corner was left. I agree, they absolutely were doomed without help from the US and it would have been a one Korea backed by China/Soviets. Now, that One Korea could have looked very different than the North Korea we have today. Maybe with a larger population and less of a obvious threat from the US, One Korea may be a more open country than what NK is now. That's pure speculation though and of course Japan is so close anyway that they could replace the US as a bogeyman quite easily.

 

[rommelrommel]

They'll target, and can reach Seoul (I think). Sure, they might end up hitting PyongYang instead, but whatever.

About right. They have a decent chance of a successful launch, some chance of hitting their target, and a questionable chance of a nuclear device surviving the trip and functioning properly. It's one thing to set off a nuke underground in sterile conditions, it's totally another to make it small and durable enough to be put on a missile and survive a launch/flight and function.

Last paper I read figured their highest probablity of success was to put a nuke in one of their subs and to try to sail as close to Seoul as possible, and then detonate. Air delivery is a non-starter.

 

[feralkid]

North Korea is basically that damn Chihuahua that barks in the face of bigger dogs (German Shepherds) and everyone else, but when it comes down to it, does nothing more. A good kick will put it in it's place quickly.

Followed by the person holding the leash (in this case China) swiftly kicking you in the store.







.

 

[infoiltrator]

The Middle East "benefited" from East/West conflict, military and religious rule, is, was, and remains a deluded, foreign supplies mess.
After sixty years of delusional government and military North Korea is another problem with no immanent solution.
They have gotten what they want with threats and lies and compulsion. They have embraced lies rule the world, and will continue to do so.

 

[rommelrommel]

Followed by the person holding the leash (in this case China) swiftly kicking you in the store.







.

Huh?

China is more like the older and not retarded cousin that reluctantly looks out for nk. China is a rational actor, there's nothing in it for them to back a NK that starts a war.

 

[Oyeve]

NK has programmed Dennis Rodman to self nuke destruct at a later date, so, we will see how this plays out soon enough.