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60 years after the Korean war, are things in shape?
The Korean war between South Korea and North Korea may not be termed as a "great" war, yet its impact was more than it was envisioned. The war that began on 25th June, 1950, was in reality a proxy war between cold war rivals, with the US and NATO on the south side and the Soviets and Chinese on the opposite. The war was better described as "a forgotten war," perhaps because the Americans and the Western media never wanted to highlight their humiliating defeat by the Chinese and the Russians. As war veterans mark the 60th anniversary of the start of the war, not much attention ' if at all ' has been given to the fact that celebrations on one side, no concrete progress has been made towards strengthening the dented relationship between erstwhile brothers-in-arms, South and North Korea.
One of the main reasons for these is the US itself. A quick recall of history would reveal that the Korean peninsula was the Apples's Eye, metaphorically, at that time ' a share for which China, Japan and the Soviets grappled for a long time. But post World War II, the two newly formed super powers viz. USSR and the US tried to corroborate the remediation of their oversight to exert their influence over the land. Though they both left the land by 1949, they still continued to influence the region, which eventually resulted in the development of the heavily armed North Korea. As of today, while Soviet tanks, artilleries and of course 135,000 soldiers are in place to act against the South whenever required, South Korea's preparation seems meek to say the least! One reason for the South to be lightly armed by the US is the fact that the South had lost its charm ' both militarily and economically ' for the US at that time; a decision the US might be ruing currently, given South Korea's belligerent and belated economic progress (with the likes of LG, Hyundai ruling the global roost) and North Korea's apparently new found nuclear strength (with Chinese affectations, but obviously).
It's not as if the peninsula hasn't tried ' at least the South has. There were initiatives like the popular 'Sunshine Policy' (backed by the South Korean leader Kim Dae Jung) aimed towards North Korea for which he was also awarded the Noble Peace Prize. The policy allowed the South Korean corporations to invest in the North. Unfortunately, the policy was misdirected by South Koreans leaders for political gains rather than sincerely aimed-reunification attempts. Another initiative to reopen a direct rail link to connect both nations in 2006 was rejected by North Korea's Kim Jong-il. Similarly, many other peacekeeping initiatives failed. Relations worsened when North Korea sank the South Korean warship Cheonan and then again, when North threatened to wage a nuclear attack on the South.
The way forward? Basically ignoring North Korea. With Chinese support, it's inevitable that the North would gain nuclear competence soon. The South should now accept the fact and simply move on with their economic march.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Best Colleges for Vocational Courses in India
60 years after the Korean war, are things in shape?
The Korean war between South Korea and North Korea may not be termed as a "great" war, yet its impact was more than it was envisioned. The war that began on 25th June, 1950, was in reality a proxy war between cold war rivals, with the US and NATO on the south side and the Soviets and Chinese on the opposite. The war was better described as "a forgotten war," perhaps because the Americans and the Western media never wanted to highlight their humiliating defeat by the Chinese and the Russians. As war veterans mark the 60th anniversary of the start of the war, not much attention ' if at all ' has been given to the fact that celebrations on one side, no concrete progress has been made towards strengthening the dented relationship between erstwhile brothers-in-arms, South and North Korea.
One of the main reasons for these is the US itself. A quick recall of history would reveal that the Korean peninsula was the Apples's Eye, metaphorically, at that time ' a share for which China, Japan and the Soviets grappled for a long time. But post World War II, the two newly formed super powers viz. USSR and the US tried to corroborate the remediation of their oversight to exert their influence over the land. Though they both left the land by 1949, they still continued to influence the region, which eventually resulted in the development of the heavily armed North Korea. As of today, while Soviet tanks, artilleries and of course 135,000 soldiers are in place to act against the South whenever required, South Korea's preparation seems meek to say the least! One reason for the South to be lightly armed by the US is the fact that the South had lost its charm ' both militarily and economically ' for the US at that time; a decision the US might be ruing currently, given South Korea's belligerent and belated economic progress (with the likes of LG, Hyundai ruling the global roost) and North Korea's apparently new found nuclear strength (with Chinese affectations, but obviously).
It's not as if the peninsula hasn't tried ' at least the South has. There were initiatives like the popular 'Sunshine Policy' (backed by the South Korean leader Kim Dae Jung) aimed towards North Korea for which he was also awarded the Noble Peace Prize. The policy allowed the South Korean corporations to invest in the North. Unfortunately, the policy was misdirected by South Koreans leaders for political gains rather than sincerely aimed-reunification attempts. Another initiative to reopen a direct rail link to connect both nations in 2006 was rejected by North Korea's Kim Jong-il. Similarly, many other peacekeeping initiatives failed. Relations worsened when North Korea sank the South Korean warship Cheonan and then again, when North threatened to wage a nuclear attack on the South.
The way forward? Basically ignoring North Korea. With Chinese support, it's inevitable that the North would gain nuclear competence soon. The South should now accept the fact and simply move on with their economic march.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Best Colleges for Vocational Courses in India
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