this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2023
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[–] Addfwyn@lemmy.ml 29 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The South's current government is ridiculously conservative. Rolling back labour laws and women's rights were pillars of their election run. They'll do whatever the US tells them to. It shouldn't come as a surprise that peaceful diplomacy is not at the forefront of their mind.

It's honestly pretty cyclical, they bounce back and forth between more diplomatic minded leadership and more warhungry. They are much more in the antagonistic phase of their cycle right now.

[–] aehnh@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

Weird how the "unstable dictatorship" is the more consistent one in this relationship

[–] Kes@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Unfortunately the current situation appeases the global powers the most. China and Russia will not stand to have a US allied united Korea so close to Beijing and Vladivostok, which means a united Korea is a neutral, non US aligned Korea, which the US does not want. Having North Korea be a buffer state between China/Russia and the US aligned South Korea is the most stable option, and as a result North Korea knows that it can do whatever it wants and still be propped up by Beijing, just as it has since the Korean war

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[–] GFGJewbacca@ag.batlord.org 4 points 2 years ago
[–] deegeese@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 years ago (3 children)

There’s no point in negotiating with a dictator whose primary goal is to remain in power. A peaceful end to the conflict means the death of Kim at the hands of the oppressed.

This is like asking a kidnapper to kindly release the hostages or we will ask again later.

[–] lntl@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Glad you're not in charge. Currently, there is tension between Korean allies which unfortunately means there will be no peace for the Korean people.

I think with time, Korea can be peacefully reunified. It may not be in my lifetime, but one day I believe it will happen. As time move forward, new events and opportunites arise that may present the chance for reunification.

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 0 points 2 years ago (2 children)

The problem with North Korea is that its entire cultural identity is built on resisting American aggression. Without having an enemy to fight, what is the reason for the country going on? Why would the people of North Korea tolerate the current government other than to resist invasion?

The North Korean regime needs conflict. It doesn't need war, but it needs conflict. Kim could have gotten a sweetheart deal from Trump to end the war and never took it. Why? Because getting rid of the "American threat" also gets rid of North Korea's legitimacy.

[–] psilocybin@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

The problem with North Korea is that its entire cultural identity is built on resisting American aggression

I am curious: Why do you feel you can confidently speak on the exact nature of another nations cultural identity? Let alone reduce it in this way?

Not sure if you understand how arrogant your statement is, but you have to realize that you have 0 idea of the cultural identity of the people in the DPRK.

Corporate news isn't interested in showing you anything but the conflict don't make the mistake of letting that shape your perception. The first step is realizing your ignorance

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I didn't say people, I said government. Why do people conflating the two?

[–] psilocybin@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Bc I haven't heard of the cultural identity of a government

And its still not true, they have a distinct political ideology that used to be called juche, idk if they changed the name.

Also you said: "the problem with North Korea is..." not really an indicator you're talking about the government, especially given the context of a cultural identity

[–] psilocybin@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

If you want a starting point to address your ignorance:

Juche on wikipedia

[–] Addfwyn@lemmy.ml 0 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Why would the people of North Korea tolerate the current government other than to resist invasion?

The Kim family has done a lot for the people in the DPRK, and is generally very well liked. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but a lot of the problems stem not from the current DPRK leadership but the international (read: US) sanctions placed on them. Compared to the hypercapitalist hellscape of SK, the work-life balance in the DPRK seems downright utopian. Prior to the US invasion, the Korean peninsula was fairly unified in their support of socialism.

The people would certainly welcome peace, I just don't know how that is possible while the threat of the USA looms. People like to portray them as an aggressive country, but they have never done anything to another coountry except threaten to defend themselves.

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago
[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club -3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Is it well liked? Or is it only well liked because the country is doing "the best that it can" against the USA? And even then, is it actually well liked or only liked enough to keep the BoAn from paying too much attention to them?

And I didn't mention the people of North Korea, I mentioned its government. The North Korean government needs conflict with the USA to justify itself.

[–] Addfwyn@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 years ago (9 children)

Obviously anecdotal, but from the people I spoke to in the DPRK, generally very well liked. And no, I did not have government minders making sure they said "the right thing". Several programs were quite popular, particularly housing programs. There was a big push for community-based activities during my stay, even smaller towns had community centers where people could go after work to learn new skills or continuing education. The university I was based out of was pretty international as well, but even there people didn't spend that much time thinking about the US, nor did they have a particularly negative view of the average American citizen. More curious than hostile.

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[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

incredible that you don't even realize just how deranged that comment is

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