Any Predictions About Korea For The Rest Of 2013?

[AGBF]

I would like to know if anyone has any predictions for what will happen in (and to) Korea during the rest of 2013. I am asking about a finite time period simply because if I leave it open-ended comparing answers will be like comparing apples to oranges since anything might happen there eventually. But also feel free to predict beyond 2013 after answering the initial question!

As I write, today, China's president, Xi Jinping, has issued a statement that appears to be a warning to North Korea. China appears to be concerned about the increased role of the United States in Asia since the escalation of threats by North Korean leader Kim Jung-un; his movement of missiles; and his suggestion to some embassies (including that of the United Kingdom) that they remove their personnel. "The New York Times" has adjured readers not to believe everything that that they hear from China, that China may not be ready to take a stand against North Korea.

What do you think is going to happen there? Are you concerned?

AGBF

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Have you read about the new South Korean president.... It's bad... Really bad. She making South Korea into a communist country...

 

[kenny]

For 2013 I predict lots more hot air from NK.

Even with their huge army and arsenal NK knows it would eventually lose a war with SK/USA.
All they can do to play their hand to get aid and food is make bombastic threats they cannot back up with action.

The young inexperienced new figurehead 'leader' has to prove to the military (which actually holds the power) he is up to the task like his daddy and grampa, so he rattles his saber.

While I expect no full-out war there may be a skirmish or two with loss of life.
NK knows if they use a nuclear bomb or conduct a large scale invasion over the DMZ, they'd be toast.

 

[Dancing Fire]

For 2013 I predict lots more hot air from NK.

Even with their huge army and arsenal NK knows it would eventually lose a war with SK/USA.
All they can do to play their hand to get aid and food is make bombastic threats they cannot back up with action.

The young inexperienced new figurehead 'leader' has to prove to the military (which actually holds the power) he is up to the task like his daddy and grampa, so he rattles his saber.

While I expect no full-out war there may be a skirmish or two with loss of life.
NK knows if they use a nuclear bomb or conduct a large scale invasion over the DMZ, they'd be toast.

Kenny, I'd agree with you 101%... He's all talk and no action like his dad and his grandfather.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Have you read about the new South Korean president.... It's bad... Really bad. She making South Korea into a communist country...

you shouldn't be shock since we are already living under a socialist system here in the U.S. for the past 5 yrs.

 

[justginger]

Have you read about the new South Korean president.... It's bad... Really bad. She making South Korea into a communist country...

you shouldn't be shock since we are already living under a socialist system here in the U.S. for the past 5 yrs.

You're nothing if not predictable, DF.

 

[ksinger]

Have you read about the new South Korean president.... It's bad... Really bad. She making South Korea into a communist country...

you shouldn't be shock since we are already living under a socialist system here in the U.S. for the past 5 yrs.

You're nothing if not predictable, DF.

Boringly so. And wrong to boot.

 

[TooPatient]

Regardless of what they do or don't do over the next year, I really hope that we put a bit more effort into having effective defenses in place so that if/when a country in the future decides to actually follow through we won't have to scramble.

For now I'm not paying too much attention to what is going on. Just choosing to use it as a reminder that we need to have basic emergency supplies re-stocked and easily accessible in case of any disaster. We live in an area that is "due" for a massive earthquake. We also, generally, have at least a couple of days during the winter where there is too much snow/ice to safely get off the hill we live on. Basic supplies are just a good idea to have around.

 

[ksinger]

My husband, he of the pithy distillation with a historical slant, called Korea "Asian hillbillies" as he was bustling around this morning. I laughed and said, "What do you mean?"

Him, "Well, tribal, belligerent and ready to fight at the drop of a hat, and NK is as poor as a church mouse and has inferiority issues. It's got Hatfields and McCoys written all over it."

Not exactly a nuanced analysis (and believe me, he can do them), but he does keep me laughing.

 

[kenny]

I hate how the American media plays into Kim's hand.
"How NK would attack?" GMAFB!!!!

Media is whipping up fear and fanning hysteria to make money off advertising.
If the US public gets panicked enough it can result in our leaders being pressured into making stupid moves which can lead to escalation and loss of life.

Gee with such poor "journalism" it's no wonder Worries about North Korea hit new high.

 

[armywife13]

I am hoping that this will just turn out to be N. Korea spewing empty threats and that it will calm down, like they have done before. That is probably not going to be the reality, but I am hoping that is the case.... Especially since DH got stationed in S. Korea for 3 years, and my 3 year old daughter, 4 month old daughter and myself are set to join him there in November.

 

[TooPatient]

I am hoping that this will just turn out to be N. Korea spewing empty threats and that it will calm down, like they have done before. That is probably not going to be the reality, but I am hoping that is the case.... Especially since DH got stationed in S. Korea for 3 years, and my 3 year old daughter, 4 month old daughter and myself are set to join him there in November.

Be safe!

I've been thinking about your family since you mentioned your husband was there.

 

[armywife13]

I am hoping that this will just turn out to be N. Korea spewing empty threats and that it will calm down, like they have done before. That is probably not going to be the reality, but I am hoping that is the case.... Especially since DH got stationed in S. Korea for 3 years, and my 3 year old daughter, 4 month old daughter and myself are set to join him there in November.

Be safe!

I've been thinking about your family since you mentioned your husband was there.

Thanks! We will definitely be keeping a close eye on the situation. If it isn't looking better by November we may have to delay moving over by him.

 

[HopeDream]

If I had just inherited a failing country with little to no economic opportunities, and a starving populous, and I really cared about my people I would bluster and saber rattle just to get my country taken over by another more economically stable country.

I might even have a tiny war if necessary to facilitate the takeover without loosing face in from of my people.

"We tried our best guys, the other side was just too powerful... Guess we'll just have to humble ourselves and accept all this food and new shopping oooprtunities, and an end to trade embargos, and opportunities for higer education and vacations and real jobs, and better medical care with the appropriate level of discrace " Oh the shame!!!!!!

Just sayin"

If you were Kim Jong Un would you want your father's weird albatross around your neck? He was educated abroad - he knows North K is a kak hole and it's not going to get better.

 

[kenny]

If I had just inherited a failing country with little to no economic opportunities, and a starving populous, and I really cared about my people I would bluster and saber rattle just to get my country taken over by another more economically stable country.

But then you and your generals would no longer live a life of opulent luxury.
It would be like giving away a chicken that lays golden eggs.

 

[HopeDream]

I'm not a noob kenny - I would have been stashing away opulence on a beautiful Island somewhere far far away!

 

[AGBF]

This quotation is from an article in, "The New York Times" today.

"North Korea warned on Tuesday that foreigners in South Korea should look for shelter or consider evacuating because the Korean Peninsula was on the brink of nuclear war. But the South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, said she remained determined not to succumb to the North's efforts to escalate tensions to extract concessions from the South.

The North’s warning followed a similar advisory last week in which it told foreign embassies in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, to devise evacuation plans.

'The situation on the Korean Peninsula is inching close to a thermonuclear war due to the evermore undisguised hostile actions of the United States and the South Korean puppet warmongers,' the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, a North Korean state agency, said in a statement on Tuesday. 'It does not want to see foreigners in South Korea fall victim to the war.'

In South Korea, where people have long grown used to a North Korean bluster or learned to shut themselves off from a situation out of their control, there were few if any signs of anxiety after the warning. The American Embassy in Seoul said that the State Department’s travel notice on South Korea remained unchanged on Tuesday."

(italics mine)

AGBF

 

[chrono]

Nothing new and nothing different. Just more hot air to garner attention and build up / bolster his fledgling reputation that he is up to the task as their new leader.

 

[HollyS]

Predicting the future of Korea, and their relationships with other nations is conjecture at best, and sort of impractical . . . given the crazy factor of North Korea and the decisions they make based on the psychotic, paranoid imaginings of their leader(s).

Predicting China, and what they plan . . . they plan on taking over the world. All economic factors point there. And we, as a nation, are certainly aiding and abetting.

 

[Tuckins1]

Have you read about the new South Korean president.... It's bad... Really bad. She making South Korea into a communist country...

you shouldn't be shock since we are already living under a socialist system here in the U.S. for the past 5 yrs.

DF, I love you, and I know we aren't supposed to get into a political talk here... However, the US is not a socialist country. Period. By definition (according to merriam-webster)

1.any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2
a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3
: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

Regardless of how you feel about various social programs or taxes, we are NOT a socialist country. Ok, i'm done. Back to crazy, short, fat dictators.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Deb...no worry the stock market thinks he is full of S**T too!!,just keep on going up.

 

[Ella]

Please ignore political talk, a reminder that it isn't allowed on PS.

 

[Snowy]

I don't think anything is going to happen seeing the history of things. But I wonder if flights would be cheaper right now to South Korea and maybe should take advantage of that... I just can't get away from all this bargaining... diamonds or not!

 

[Kelinas]

I grew up in Korea until I was 20, and if there wasn't a threat of some sort once a year, it was odd.

When I went back in 2010 at 23, it was business as usual. Then they sunk the submarine and attacked the island, the Koreans were furious but nothing more. The army base we were at was at a higher defcon level but after a week or two of both incidents, it returned to normal.
My MIL would call us all the time because the American media likes to over exaggerate things - so she freaks but there's nothing wrong
Now *I* do the same thing calling my parents every week, and they just tell me to calm down

I don't think they will do anything.

 

[Kelinas]

I am hoping that this will just turn out to be N. Korea spewing empty threats and that it will calm down, like they have done before. That is probably not going to be the reality, but I am hoping that is the case.... Especially since DH got stationed in S. Korea for 3 years, and my 3 year old daughter, 4 month old daughter and myself are set to join him there in November.

Ooh lucky!! Which area are you going to? I grew up in Area 3 / USAG Humphreys and was lucky enough to go back command sponsored 3 years ago for 2 years. It's so fun, hopefully 2ID releases the restrictions that are placed before you arrive!

And if NK decides on doing something stupid, the military WILL evacuate you out via NEO exacuations, so no worries

 

[armywife13]

I am hoping that this will just turn out to be N. Korea spewing empty threats and that it will calm down, like they have done before. That is probably not going to be the reality, but I am hoping that is the case.... Especially since DH got stationed in S. Korea for 3 years, and my 3 year old daughter, 4 month old daughter and myself are set to join him there in November.

Ooh lucky!! Which area are you going to? I grew up in Area 3 / USAG Humphreys and was lucky enough to go back command sponsored 3 years ago for 2 years. It's so fun, hopefully 2ID releases the restrictions that are placed before you arrive!

And if NK decides on doing something stupid, the military WILL evacuate you out via NEO exacuations, so no worries

Thanks! DH is a pilot and is stationed at K-16 airfield just south of Seoul, I think it is area 2? He is loving it over there so far, and I am sure I will too. I can't wait to get out of my comfort zone and experience a new culture! I hope 2ID releases the restrictions too, DH thinks they will in the coming months as long as some of the soldiers stop acting like dopes. Haha.

I am not too worried about getting stuck there if NK decides to go all wacky, it is more of calming down and reassuring my family. My father is going to give himself an ulcer with all of the worrying he is doing about me taking his two granddaughters over there!

I love hearing from people who grew up over there or who visited. I have yet to hear about a bad experience, everyone seems to love it! If you ever head back over, we will have to arrange a get together!

 

[Kelinas]

I am hoping that this will just turn out to be N. Korea spewing empty threats and that it will calm down, like they have done before. That is probably not going to be the reality, but I am hoping that is the case.... Especially since DH got stationed in S. Korea for 3 years, and my 3 year old daughter, 4 month old daughter and myself are set to join him there in November.

Ooh lucky!! Which area are you going to? I grew up in Area 3 / USAG Humphreys and was lucky enough to go back command sponsored 3 years ago for 2 years. It's so fun, hopefully 2ID releases the restrictions that are placed before you arrive!

And if NK decides on doing something stupid, the military WILL evacuate you out via NEO exacuations, so no worries

Thanks! DH is a pilot and is stationed at K-16 airfield just south of Seoul, I think it is area 2? He is loving it over there so far, and I am sure I will too. I can't wait to get out of my comfort zone and experience a new culture! I hope 2ID releases the restrictions too, DH thinks they will in the coming months as long as some of the soldiers stop acting like dopes. Haha.

I am not too worried about getting stuck there if NK decides to go all wacky, it is more of calming down and reassuring my family. My father is going to give himself an ulcer with all of the worrying he is doing about me taking his two granddaughters over there!

I love hearing from people who grew up over there or who visited. I have yet to hear about a bad experience, everyone seems to love it! If you ever head back over, we will have to arrange a get together!

Yup K-16 is Area 2. K-16 itself is growing but there really isnt much to do on base. BUT! K-16 is in Seoul, so you have a bigger playground!
Things that you should look foward to doing :
Spring time Cherry Blossom festivals are jaw dropping gorgeous! It only lasts a week, but its in Seoul so its easy for you.
Moses Miracle Crossing : Going on now (So next April) The Ocean recedes and creates a path that you can walk on to a island close by. Super cool
Boeryung Mud Festival: Mid July, anything and everything mud related. Mud fights, sculptures, tons of things that kids can do.
Jeju Island - Korea's "Hawaii", a 45 min plane ride from Seoul Gimpo airport, you MUST go. I had my wedding photos taken there during one of my vacations there. It is wonderful, and they actually have NICE paved roads. (you will see that I mean on the mainland)
AND best of all, you should really take advantage of the fact that your going to Korea. There are always travel packages to go to China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and so on. Also take advantage of the free Space-A Mac flights to go to Japan, Guam and I think Hawaii is also offered.
Korea is what you make of it, go and enjoy it!

*Sorry for the long response *

 

[armywife13]

I am hoping that this will just turn out to be N. Korea spewing empty threats and that it will calm down, like they have done before. That is probably not going to be the reality, but I am hoping that is the case.... Especially since DH got stationed in S. Korea for 3 years, and my 3 year old daughter, 4 month old daughter and myself are set to join him there in November.

Ooh lucky!! Which area are you going to? I grew up in Area 3 / USAG Humphreys and was lucky enough to go back command sponsored 3 years ago for 2 years. It's so fun, hopefully 2ID releases the restrictions that are placed before you arrive!

And if NK decides on doing something stupid, the military WILL evacuate you out via NEO exacuations, so no worries

Thanks! DH is a pilot and is stationed at K-16 airfield just south of Seoul, I think it is area 2? He is loving it over there so far, and I am sure I will too. I can't wait to get out of my comfort zone and experience a new culture! I hope 2ID releases the restrictions too, DH thinks they will in the coming months as long as some of the soldiers stop acting like dopes. Haha.

I am not too worried about getting stuck there if NK decides to go all wacky, it is more of calming down and reassuring my family. My father is going to give himself an ulcer with all of the worrying he is doing about me taking his two granddaughters over there!

I love hearing from people who grew up over there or who visited. I have yet to hear about a bad experience, everyone seems to love it! If you ever head back over, we will have to arrange a get together!

Yup K-16 is Area 2. K-16 itself is growing but there really isnt much to do on base. BUT! K-16 is in Seoul, so you have a bigger playground!
Things that you should look foward to doing :
Spring time Cherry Blossom festivals are jaw dropping gorgeous! It only lasts a week, but its in Seoul so its easy for you.
Moses Miracle Crossing : Going on now (So next April) The Ocean recedes and creates a path that you can walk on to a island close by. Super cool
Boeryung Mud Festival: Mid July, anything and everything mud related. Mud fights, sculptures, tons of things that kids can do.
Jeju Island - Korea's "Hawaii", a 45 min plane ride from Seoul Gimpo airport, you MUST go. I had my wedding photos taken there during one of my vacations there. It is wonderful, and they actually have NICE paved roads. (you will see that I mean on the mainland)
AND best of all, you should really take advantage of the fact that your going to Korea. There are always travel packages to go to China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and so on. Also take advantage of the free Space-A Mac flights to go to Japan, Guam and I think Hawaii is also offered.
Korea is what you make of it, go and enjoy it!

*Sorry for the long response *

Thanks for the list of places to go and things to do! It looks like we will have plenty of exploring to do!!

DH warned me about the roads, too. We were originally looking at getting some chips and a small dent taken care of with out car, but once he got there, he said not to bother because the roads were bad and we would probably have more chips coming our way. oh well!