Secretary Clinton's Approach to North Korea May Indeed Be Simplistic

In a news conference on Thursday, July 23rd, united States' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that North Korea, belligerent and testing nuclear weapons in spite of near unanimous agreement from the world community that this behavior is intolerable, and a growing threat, had "No friends left."
Speaking to ABC news, she compared the North Korean Government in Pyonyang to "Small Children, unruly teenagers, and people who are demanding attention"
Clinton and other U.S. Government officials have fashioned the position that Pyonyang is intentionally acting in a provocative and combative way so as to gain world and U.S. attention, resulting in favorable treatment in economic and such spheres.

Now an anonymous North Korean official has declared that Secretary of State Clinton is "by no means intelligent" and a "funny lady." "Sometimes she looks like a primary schoolgirl and sometimes a pensioner going shopping," Rather exact in his speech and usage for a Asian gentleman,presumably speaking English as a second language, don't you think?

Clinton this Sunday A.M. on Meet the Press seemed a little taken aback by the remarks.

Now don't get me wrong. Maybe the Koreans aren't bantering nonsense witticisms based on emotion. Maybe they aren't even "looking for attention." Maybe Clinton's viewpoint, now adopted by out state department is indeed, simplistic. Maybe Pyonyang has more involvement in these issues than trying to win sanctions from America, and the world community.

Recently the North Korean government clearly stated that America was behind every mishap that has befallen them. They say that America has been in opposition to them for years, and this is a cause of their struggle.
Some philosophically inclined observers may see that statement as an excellent opportunity for a candid and meaningful dialog. A chance for us to deny that we "just oppose them." An opening for some fresh discussion.

I did a little quick updating on the events of the late 1940's and the 1950's; a war in which the use of nuclear weapons was a decisive and defining factor, and in which the loss of life to both sides was beyond comprehension. U.S. losses were placed at over 54,000 dead with 103,000 wounded. Chinese and Korean casualties are estimated in each case as 10 times as high.

History views the Korean War as having been based on ideologies; Communist against non-communist. With the end of World War ll, Korea was divided. Soviet North Korea to the North, and the U.S. or South Korean zone to the south. On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea. In the first weeks of the conflict the North Korean forces met little resistance and advanced rapidly.
On June 27th, The United Nations having condemned the invasion and having deemed it an "act of aggression", President Truman authorized the use of land, sea, and air forces, appointing General Douglas MacArthur supreme commander.
At a turning point of the war, on September 15th, U.N. forces made a daring landing at Inchon on the west coast. North Korean forces fell back and MacArthur received orders to pursue them into North Korea. On October 19, the North Korean capital of Pyongyang was captured.

As MacArthur prepared for a final offensive, the Chinese Communists joined with the North Koreans to launch a successful counterattack. The Communists again advanced into the South, recapturing Seoul, the South Korean capital.

After several more months of fighting, the dividing line was again at the 38th parallel, the dividing line to this day between North and South Korea.

The wars unpopularity played an important role in the presidential victory of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had pledged to end the war. Negotiations broke down on four occasions , but after much difficulty and nuclear threats by Eisenhower, an armistice agreement was signed on July 27, 1953.

We note that "nuclear threats" played an important role in the armistice.

Now today, half a century later, North Korea professes a hatred toward America, and blames America for Korean mis-fortune.

The North Koreans profess in schools and all areas of communication that the North Koreans are a superior people.

I hope that Secretary Clinton isn't in fact being a little immature, a little lacking in wisdom when she accuses this historically militaristic government of "seeking attention"