Politics | 05/27/2009 7:50 am

North Korea Rejects 1953 Truce, Restarts Nuclear Plants

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

They say everything old is new again, and that certainly seems to be the case with the Korean War.

North Korea today said it will no longer abide by the 1953 truce that brought the Korean War to an end, yet another bellicose move from the rogue nation, which raised international eyebrows this week by both testing a nuclear bomb and testing two long-range missiles.

The United Nations and its members, including South Korea, vowed to take swift action against the North, including the seizure of ships that may be containing nuclear material or other weapons. In response to such promises, the North insisted those moves qualify as a "declaration of war" and promised to retaliate "with a powerful military strike." "Those who provoke (North Korea) once will not be able to escape its unimaginable and merciless punishment," said the state’s official news agency. And the North has only exasperated problems by restarting a nuclear plant.

For its part, the State Department has said "We feel the door does still remain open, that we’re ready to engage," but said that it will work with allies like China and Russis to insure the North does not reach its end goal, whatever those goals may be. And regardless of those goals, we can’t help but experience a flashback to the Korean War, one that never really ended.

26 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Ok I am not knocking Obama for this but why is he in Vegas for a fund raiser for Reid? I know the President works 24/7 but this is an issue that needs his almost full and undivided attention. These N. Korean’s arent going to go away…they are hell bent on doing something and GOD help us if they succeed.

By C Hardy on 05/27/2009 8:54 am

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C we have nuclear power plants in this country and I wish we didn’t. This leader only wants attention. He is like a child throwing a temper tantrum. His people are litterally brainwashed. Did you see Lisa Lings National Geographic special on the great leader? He is anything but. I really don’t see him being anything but a loud mouth. They could shut him down so fast it would make his head spin.

By S G on 05/27/2009 9:04 am

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SG, I so hope that is true. I hope he is just throwing a tantrum, I know he did this a couple of years ago but this time it seems he has gotten a little bit further along…maybe he is testing our new President but whatever he is doing, I hope they can shut him down pretty quickly. Yes his people are brain washed but sometimes tantrum’s can turn ugly, I know my 3 year old throws them all the time :)

By C Hardy on 05/27/2009 9:36 am

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But I bet afterwards your 3 yr old gives you a big hug:) Kids are the best:)

By S G on 05/27/2009 9:39 am

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Less than 18 hours after the strike, Obama went golfing (18 holes). It was emphatically explained to me (here on WOW—on a another thread—questioning the appearance of the Commander in Chief ‘playing’ while 35,000 US troops are stationed in So. Korea; and that whole pesky No. Korean ‘Declaration of War’ hanging out there) that ‘these things are plannned weeks in advance!!!’ (just like the Harry Reid shake down of the business community in LV). So…priorities…no matter what happens in the world…well, it can’t mess up President Obama’s calendar (I guess everything is wrtitten in ink).

As to the actual problem…well how many missiles has Kim Jong Il test fired (with success!) in the last 24 hours??? The media reports are up to six; but maybe more…who’s counting.’

We have a madman, with 1945 Hiroshima level technology, firing salvo after salvo…and we are ‘strongly wording statements’ to really ‘put them in their place.’

Kim’s middle east pal, and potential nuke customer, Ahdemihajad, has (to date) sent 6 expansive freight liners (armed???) into international waters. Hmmm? Wonder what he’s planning? But…rest assured, Harry Reid has a great ‘war chest’ for his next Senate run. Priorities…

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 05/27/2009 9:44 am

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MQC, you talk like everything is supposed to be taken care of by the U.S. This problem with North Korea, is not just our problem but S. Korea, Japan, Russia and China’s also. I am sure that Pres. Obama is talking with these countries, they (China & Russia) must make the real moves. I doubt though that much is going to be done with North Korea, the U.S is pretty much tied up in Iraq and Afghanistan. China and Russia I don’t think will do much more than they are doing, for whatever reasons, have to wait and see.

By Mel Berg on 05/27/2009 9:54 am

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We do have huge American assets in the region. In addition to defense treaties with So. Korea and Japan (the country with the bullseye per Kim Jong Il); we also have 35,000 troops on US bases in So. Korea; and US military installations in Japan (with tens of thousands of American civilians living in Japan); and dozen of military warships in the area as well.

Perception, in many cases, as important as actions. A two minute statement (READ!!!) from the Rose Garden, coupled with ‘Secretary of State Clinton is looking into the matter’ and UN Ambassador Rice ‘is strongly wording a letter…’ doesn’t quite seem (to me) that shutting down NoKo nukes proliferation is a high priority. Lets just wait and see…what? That they can lift one into the air and hit one of our bases in the South? Or hit Japan?

Sorry, but Obama should not have ventured to Las Vegas (perception—Harry Reid’s campaign funds are top priority)? Being Commander in Chief means some times you have to change your plans for World events…

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 05/27/2009 10:09 am

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No MQC, I am waiting to see what China and Russia are going to do, as I have said before, this is not the U.S. problem alone. I know where we have men stationed, what is your thought, we should bomb North Korea?

By Mel Berg on 05/27/2009 10:40 am

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Yes I agree Mel—it’s up to Asia in many ways to deal with No. Korea. And China could tip the balance there and put Kim in his place.

By f p on 05/27/2009 12:16 pm

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Asia? You mean China? You trully think the lives/safety of our service men and women stationed in So. Korea, and the lives of the citizens of Japan (one of our strongest allies) are better served by the Chi-Coms? Oh my.

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 05/27/2009 12:39 pm

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Mary: Less than 18 hours after the strike, Obama went golfing (18 holes).

Worry not. Someone will write a speech for him to deliver to the Dem masses, and everything will be cool. It’s all about politics and staying in power. Reality on the ground has nothing to do with how well he strides across the White House lawn. Photo-op everyone.

By Marjorie C. on 05/27/2009 10:52 am

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C. Hardy…..Why do you assume he is not giving it attention? On Monday in New York, ambassadors from the Security Council’s five permanent members plus representatives from China and Japan met for several hours discussing possible resolutions and courses of action. The US ( Susan Rice) was, of course, represented and no doubt relayed information directly to the President.

This is not President Obama’s sole responsibility. It calls for a global response. The structure at play is the Six Party Talks, begun in 2003. Korea requires immediate attention, but Obama is not the only major player involved. If he attempted to be, Russia and China and Japan would not look too kindly on that scenario.

North Korea is ruled by Big Brother on steroids and loves getting the world’s attention.

By Maggie W on 05/27/2009 9:45 am

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C Hardy, I am curious, what exactly do you think Pres. Obama should be doing? I am sure he has his updates anywhere that he is.

By Mel Berg on 05/27/2009 9:46 am

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Exactly Mel.

By f p on 05/27/2009 12:17 pm

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Ok like I said, it wasnt a knock on Obama but just wondering…Yes he can rule the US from anywhere he is, his job is 24/7 but please take flash back and remember all the hoopla when Bush would go to Crawford instead of being here or there, what is the difference?

By C Hardy on 05/27/2009 7:08 pm