Opaque Lucidity

Just Words

North Korea has agreed to end research into and construction of nuclear weapons. They have also agreed to end their civilian nuclear power program. With a different nation, at a different time, this would be a bright, promising outcome after tough years of negotiation.

But not now, and not with North Korea.

Treaties, agreements and contracts between nations are just words on a page. They must be backed up by the good intentions and actions of the signatories. In the case of North Korea, there is a 50-year history of lies with which to contend. The only agreement they have adhered to is the ceasefire that ended the fighting between North and South in July, 1953 (technically, the two nations are still at war). It is my belief that the only reason they have not crossed the DMZ is because the Kims in Pyongyang know any incursion into the South would spell the end of their regime.

Yet, this agreement will be celebrated because, after all, our MSM and their brethren in Europe tend to celebrate intentions (remember Chamberlin’s “peace in our time”?) rather than actual outcomes. But even so, you may be wondering what other options we have with regard to North Korea. The current government in Seoul seems to be content with a sort of containment of the North; reunification is not a goal. I don’t know if it’s fear of a war or the horrible humanitarian crisis that South Korea would inherit if the North collapsed that keeps them from being more aggressive. And while I do not live in the shadow of the DMZ, I can’t help but think that the South’s attitude is like that of a child: as long as we can’t see the horror, then we can ignore it.

As I have written here before, North Korea will eventually either collapse from within or from outside pressure. When that day comes and the gates of the concentration camps are opened, those who have had blinders on will ask why, why, why did we wait so long?

What will be the answer?