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Politics North Korea North Korea Hides in China's Skirts
Politics North Korea North Korea Hides in China's Skirts | North Korea Hides in China's Skirts |
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| Written by Lee Byong-Chul | |
| Friday, 21 May 2010 | |
 Kim's warm welcome in China North Korea has reacted with instant outrage to the South Korean government's presentation of forensic evidence of the North's role in the sinking on March 26 of the patrol boat Cheonan with the loss of 46 lives. The North has offered to send an investigative team to Seoul to check out the evidence, which includes part of a torpedo propeller with a North Korean serial number. The reaction clearly demonstrates the North's extreme sense of anxiety, not self-confidence, in erasing its fingerprints. Obviously the Kim Jong-il regime has started faltering under pressure. North Korea is an excellent example of the hopelessness of a ferocious dictatorship over five decades, threatening South Korea and the global community to a degree that is out of proportion to the poverty-stricken country's actual capabilities. One gets the feeling that the South Korean people's hostility toward the communist regime is verging on the obsessive, particularly over the Cheonan sinking, which has become fodder for a series of South Korean television talk shows, not to mention some deeply conservative mainstream newspapers. The Lee government has briefed a group of diplomats here in Seoul in a carefully worded but seemingly self-confident manner that a North Korean torpedo sank the warship. As if on cue, both President Lee Myung-bak and his foreign policy aides decided to take the case to the UN Security Council to seek new sanctions on North Korea despite the potential of high tension between Seoul and Pyongyang. In this context, as a token of the robust alliance between Seoul and Washington, DC, rather than an effort to mollify the South's angry mood, US President Barack Obama reportedly expressed full support and trust in a phone call to President Lee for the investigation by an international team. The Lee government seems to be relatively optimistic about the possibility of a new sanctions resolution against the North. But whether the Security Council's resolution denounces the North's clandestine attack it must be a litmus test forming an unlikely global alliance, including Russia and in particular, China, which is too close to the regime in Pyongyang. In the meantime, making the situation potentially much more explosive is the fact that the two distinctively differing political and economic sovereign states are themselves volatile in their respective geopolitical orientations. Each is internally and externally potentially vulnerable. Were these two states to be destabilized, the peninsula would be plunged into massive disorder, with conflict spinning out of control and the region's already delicate balance of power severely disrupted. South and North Korea are geopolitical pivots whose own internal condition is of critical importance to the fate of the region. Yet the future geopolitical orientation and even the national cohesion of both states remain uncertain, essentially because of China. Beijing has warned Seoul that any wriggle room allowed for the cause of the sunken ship would worsen the relationship between the two Koreas and has insinuated that China would form a likely alliance with North Korea. Given China's apparent stance that cross-border minority activism will be suppressed in consideration of a possible exodus of North Korean refugees, Beijing's foreign policy statements have made it plain that it views the northern part of North Korea as a zone of special geostrategic interest, from which outside economic--and even political--influence should be excluded, albeit both the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties are a much more distant memory. At their peak, they virtually ‘remote-controlled' the Korean peninsula. To that end, the revival of Greater China has become an organic part of the aspirations of the Chinese leadership that has led to economic success through reform and openness. Targeted by foreign interests with the financial means to invest, North Korea has a knack for proposing economic investments that the Chinese leadership particularly would presume were lucrative. Kim Jong-il's planned visits to Dalian's locomotive manufacturing, Tianjin Harbor's docks and the Beijing Boao Biotech Company dovetail with Beijing's ambitions to have a much broader sweep, although it's still unconfirmed whether Kim received what he initially wanted. Many pundits here in Seoul point out that China is likely to put the North into a loosely subordinate relationship to Beijing in the longer term. The skillful employment of Chinese diplomacy to divide and rule, or its well-known status quo strategy has served Chinese interests well. Given the North's deepening dependence on China, in other words, Beijing is playing a key role as the vitally crucial cork controlling access to the bottle that contains the potential riches of undeveloped natural resources and social infrastructure, while preventing the United States from exercising a monopoly on access to the region and thus strengthening China's decisive political and military leverage over all the policies of the communist North Korea. The crippled Kim regime is very vulnerable to pressures from China. Pyongyang views Chinese engagement as necessary to its survival. China, too, struggles to retain as much as influence as possible in the North. Needless to say, China is the only country that can control the North's dying economy, rather than looking to territorial annexations. In the North Korea-China borders, despite the growing Korean fear of Sinification of the adjoining Pyongan and Hamgyong provinces in North Korea, the Chinese yuan is freely used. In reality, the exclusion of China from the North is neither desirable nor feasible, nor is the fanning of hostility between the two countries. That stark and gloomy reality makes not only North Koreans but also South Koreans fearful of potential annexation in terms of the sovereign status and achievement of a unified Korea in the future. If North Korea were to follow the Chinese path to reform and openness -- and if China does not close its door to North Korea -- North Korea is highly likely to gravitate even further into the Chinese orbit, a prospect most North Korea analysts expect. Still, China's cautious engagement is likely to tantalize North Korea and other neighboring states, as clearly evidenced by the six-party talks to resolve the North's nuclear troubles, a step that clearly miffed the South Koreans, who believed that China's position would short-cut the delayed negotiations for achieving a denuclearized North Korea. Eventually, however, China doubled-faulted on its response---first in endorsing Kim Jong-il's visit to China and second in doubting the South's probe as politically motivated--- and erred by producing diplomatic rhetoric that demanded the greatest sensitivity in timing and in force but which was tone-deaf. All in, North Korea's future is likely to be shaped by a more complex set of circumstances surrounding the peninsula, with the fate of the Kim regime determined by the intricate power struggles of the party, the military and the bureaucracy, as well as by the degree to which China conditions its relations with a newly emerging regime with no hope. China now should prove to the world that it's ready to address a responsible diplomacy as a global leader instead of questioning irresponsibly whether the findings are sufficient to explain the North's involvement. Lee Byong-Chul is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Peace and Cooperation in Seoul.
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Hits: 13190 Comments (27)
  written by Dililah, May 21, 2010
"North Korea Hides in China's Skirts "
Again wallop China. AS is very fond of doing such things? Maybe the title shd read - "Isreal Hides in US's Skirts " shd be more appropriate.
written by Truth, May 21, 2010
It's time that China starts acting like a responsible power. How can China justify defending a nation that attacks other nations???
If China is supposed to become a major world leader,...then God help us all!!!
written by Chinese, May 21, 2010
Please at ease.
China does NOT want to be a "major world leader". China is still a develping country. We still have 20 million poor people. Our lives are still not on par with USA. We would like to be left alone and develop our OWN country first. Please do not mention China when you are talking about non-Chinese issues. Korea is not a Chinese issue. If Koreans are planning to kill each other, that is THEIR problem. China defended Korea because USA attacked China first. Bombs are droped on Chinese soil. US Fleet was blocking the Taiwan Strait.
written by brasstacks, May 22, 2010
China's underwear is severley soiled, but it is still perfume to Kim Jong Ill's nose!
written by SC, May 22, 2010
China should say "enough is enough" and dictate that support is conditional on North Korea following China's path of economic development.
Dililah - check the word Sentinal in the dictionary. And this site does not single out China, check how many articles there are about Thailand, Malaysia and other Asian countries. And is Israel in Asia? Nice try to label the article as China bashing again but the fact is it isn't. "Chinese" - Everything China says and does suggests that it does want to be a major world leader. Try stating that it isn't and you will get a sharp response from Chinese people with an inferiority complex. Also the time is long gone to use the "we are poor" excuse. It is the world's third largest economy, soon to become second, and many Chinese people are proud because they think they have bailed everyone else out of the economic crisis. Thirdly, this is a China issue. It is only the support of China that allows Kim Jong-il to continue starving the North Korean people. Lastly, why are you comparing China's living standards to the US? Irrelevant!
written by David Lee HK, May 22, 2010
bunch of communist thugs, they're deserved each oher, can't wait for some kind of Eastern Europe revolution to get rid of the last communist regime.
written by Ying Yang, May 22, 2010
Maybe South Korea torpedoed its own boat for some sinister reason. Maybe somebody needs more Defence Budget to buy more arms. With this incident the Defence folks will get billions to buy more weapons, and more money will grease some palms. Sinking one's own ship to start a war with the enemy has occured very frequently in history. The French did it.The Americans did it. And now maybe South Korea did it too.
written by Operation Northwood, May 22, 2010
The South Koreans or the Yanks might have done the sinking.
Anything is possible. It is strongly believed 9/11 was engineered by the US.
written by Bambam, May 22, 2010
I doubt North Korea would purposely torpedoed a South Korean ship and risk going to war with South Korea. For all its chest beating and macho statements, the North Korean leaders know that its war machine is no match for South Korea's army, let alone the mighty US war machine. They may be ecentric , but definitely not stupid. In all likely hood, South Korea engineered the sinking of its own ship to create tension for some reason. Maybe the defence chief wants a big fat budget to buy more arms. Maybe somebody sees a heightened tension as way of staying in power longer. Who knows?! Or maybe the CIA did it as part of America's strategy to keep the Korea's divided so that it can justify having continued US military presence in South Korea as part of its China containment strategy. The US is capable of doing mischief too.
written by Ying Yang, May 22, 2010
Hoorah! More arms export to South Korea to stave off the nasty North Koreans. Definitely a plus for the US economy and the US arms producers.
written by SC, May 22, 2010
The United States' China containment strategy is an invention by Beijing in order to invent a threat to China and justify their tight control now that communism is dead. Which is why we get amateur Chinese propagandists writing rubbish on here.
Nice try to blame this, along with everything else, on the United States, the reality is that the US government would love to cut their defense budget or reallocate resources to Afghanistan. The blame is squrely on China, who are interfering in the internal affairs of Korea by propping up a government that starves it's own people. China might not care that millions of Koreans starve to death, but the rest of the world wants the Korean problem resolved. If China wants to be a world power they need to start acting responsibly and work with other countries to solve problems, not just point their finger at everyone else. China has done so well economically in the last twenty years, but a sign of a developed nation is one that is comfortable in it's own skin and acts in a mature manner. Unfortunately China has a very long way to go.
written by Vista, May 23, 2010
When you have 2 unfriendly navies patrolling disputed waters, where there are no physical markers, this is bound to happen. Firstly we don't really know what exactly happen before the ship was sunk. Were there aggressive posturing between 2 opposing ships? Were there shots fired by both sides? Of course both parties would deny that they did anything wrong. No South Korean navy officer involved would want to admit that they did a booboo that resulted in somany of their own kind killed. And no North Korean officer would want to admit that they sank the ship. Who would want to admit that they did something that could trigger a bigger conflict between the two Koreas. Of course in the bloggosphere, you will get comments supporting one side or the other. And nobody here is an expert in the subject matter, so there is no basis accusing any party of being an amateur. All are.
I am no fan of the eccentric North Korean dictatorship. But the South Koreans aren't exactly angels either. And there is no basis to accuse China of being an irresponsible "policeman'.China does not claim nor want to be a international policeman.Only the USA wants to be one. And China is acting in its own best self interest,and that is a fair action as every country needs to take care of its own self presevation. One has to keep in mind that China was cut up in pieces by foreign powers in a not too longer history. Its ability to defend itself confidently is only a very recent thing. ANd even then it lags way way behind the US in military capability. So China has every reason to be paranoid about its own security, and see North Korea as a buffer state. And no, I am not a China national, nor am I against the USA, which I think is a wonderful country (as long as you are not their enemy).
written by SC, May 23, 2010
Vista, except that there is clear evidence that the cause of the sinking was a North Korean torpedo...
And how long is history going to be used as an excuse for current actions? It was unfortunate that China was coerced into opening foreign concessions over 100 years ago (it was hardly "cut up into pieces"), but at some point you have to move on. South Korea for example has taken far less time to rebuild since the Korean War, why does China have to keep making excuses?
written by Mao Zhe Dong, May 24, 2010
China is number one producer and exporter of prostitute in the world, so what kind of standard can you expect from such prostitute country.
Maybe the title should read 'north korea hides in prostitute's holes - warm and safe' ....this is like more like a hongkong's movie drama, where a robber killed a man and a prostitute tries to protect the robber from police as the prostitute likes the robber...... China is the mother of hypocrites. No wonder God punished china with so many natural disasters and accidents. God also sent Japaneses to teach china a good lesson in WW2. Thank you Japaneses. We Singaporeans and Malaysians salute the Japaneses and will continue to support the Japaneses by buying Japanese products such cars, electronic appliances & etc and to continue to learn to eat and love Japanese foods.
written by Choseon, May 24, 2010
China's and South Korea's economies are doing well.
So neither country wants to see any military escalation between North and South Korea. War doesn't hurt North Korea, as it is already dirt poor, and needs something to distract its hungry population.
written by A Chinese, May 24, 2010
Some Chinese people may have an issue of inferiority complex. If you pay more attention to the news, you will see today's China is more and more humble. Chinese leaders are talking more and more about China’s problem. China has a lot of internal problems to solve.
Two Koreas are not part of China. Therefore, it is not China’s problem!!! Being a world leader is NOT part of the China’s goal. However, please do not think that China will follow those so called world leaders or masters. China has never been, is not, will never follow anybody in this world. China has its own route to go. And we will not force other people to follow. Please leave us alone. Let us develop our own country first before we are bothered with other people’s affairs.
written by Yuri Gogol, May 25, 2010
Torvarich! comrades, maybe we should have invade north korea in WW II when we had the chance,
then we can do business with south korea. All you amateur chinese comments about south korea sinking their own ship is stupid talk.balming our friend USA is also trying to divert attention from north korea. China opens big skirt.
written by SC, May 25, 2010
"A Chinese", however you are already heavily involved in the Korean issue. It is only China's support for the Kim Jong Il regime that allows him to starve millions of people. You need to take responsibility for your actions.
In any case we live in an age of globalisation, where what we do affects each other. The world needs China's involvement to solve issues such as Global warming, the global economic system and stability.
written by Deng, May 25, 2010
Everybody knows China is using NK as a card against the civilized world. Only the China men here fail to see it. China men, use your brand if you have one.
written by China man, May 25, 2010
China is using NK as a card ? Good for China. We all want to use others as cards. You would if you could.
The most important thing to us Chinamen is that China was never other people's card. And is not, and will never be other people's card. That is all we care. If NK wants to be a card, it is THEIR problem. Not ours. If you have problem with that, it is YOUR problem. Not ours. If you want our China men to be a card, then it is our problem. We will never agree. We have never been a card for 5,000 years. We will not like a change of status. Call our names, bark your insults. Do whatever you can do the best. Just remember. We, China men were NEVER a card of other people. We are not card now. And we will NEVER be a card in the future. Attack Korea if you want. However, keep a distance from China's border. We do not like that. You knew the reaction. You are not going to like it.
written by SC, May 26, 2010
Actually I wonder if Kim Jong Il is secretly laughing at China.
China would like North Korea to follow China's model of development, however he continues to ignore this and endanger China's security by maintaining a wave of desperate refugees crossing into Liaoning, while at the same time receiving China's aid money. Kim must be thinking that China is an easy pushover.
written by Mao Zhe Dong, May 26, 2010
"china men" or "a chinese"
china is a card to the world for supplying chinese prostitutes. china treated their women or girls as a card and caused them to be prostitute of the world. china forces mynmar govt. to follow them in order for china to protect mynmar/ burma at UN. china and mynmar govt. steal logs and timbers together from mynmar forest.... china is a real hypocrite, selfish and self centered jerk
written by China man, May 26, 2010
"china is a card to the world."
That is OK. We can accept that. "prostitute of the world". OK. That is not a problem for prostitutes. Prostitutes are into the money. Those losers cannot get girls without paying. "china forces mynmar govt. to follow them in order for china to protect mynmar/ burma at UN. china and mynmar govt. steal logs and timbers together from mynmar forest.... " That is NOT China's problem either. Let us be clear one more time. China is NOT interested to be the leader of the world. We will trade with those who want to trade. In trade practice, there are losers. There are winners. It is not our problem that we are winners in many cases. We had losses too. So there is nothing unfair about that. "Kim must be thinking that China is an easy pushover." That is OK. There are many stupid people think that way also.
written by Kim Il Sung, May 31, 2010
In fact, it's NK that uses China as its card against the world, not the other way around. Even China is not pleased with Kim and his regime, China has to keep NK alive. Otherwise, a stronger and united Korea with US presence is considered a threat next door to the Chinese corrupt government.
written by Oni0861, September 30, 2010
Sweet, Obama wanted to cut the Marines corps active body by half, but with this looming strom looming over the 38th, all i can see my Job secuirty.
and really when did the U.S. Sink its own ship to start a war? If your refering to the Uss. Maine check your facts, it was a explosion in the ships magazine. However at the time the Investigation team who where rolled up tightly in the nationalistic rethoric of the day, decidede to Fake evidence and ignore other parts to they could blame Spain and start the U.S.-Spainish War. but never in recorded History has the U.S. sunk one of its own ship dilibertly to luanch a war.
written by Daedalus, November 11, 2010
People are missing the point. The Kims just don't possess total control over the military. The sinking of the Cheonan was intended to stimulate a response. Unfortunately South Korea kept its cool. They didn't deny North Korean involvement but stirred doubt on an important question. Who gave the order? It also leads to other questions. Are the Kims firmly in control? Once again South Korea is determined to find out. It has pushed the Cheonan aside and joined the United States with a peace offer that provides North Korea with substantial assistance in return for the abandonment of its nuclear arms program. Only a strong Kim government can accept it. and convince the country that it's due to the successful conclusion of their policies. It's just that the Kims overvalued nuclear arms as a political tool and undervalued the market's role in trade and politics.Their policies left North Korea encircled and in poverty. Then they tampered with the local markets and later the currency. People in the corridors of power want a change. So how badly do they want it? Is the replacement of the Kims more important than a peace in the neighborhood? Or could the Kims agree to a peace if they agreed to share power more fairly? Until North Korea puts its own house in order people can only wait.
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