Protest against US-S.Korea war games as Pyongyang 'seeks missing submarine'

[webfact]

Protest against US-S.Korea war games as Pyongyang 'seeks missing submarine'



"The people of the North and South Koreans are one nationality and we should exclude external powers"

SEOUL: -- Not all South Koreans are happy about the current war games with the United States.

For while many see the annual drills as reassurance of Washington’s support, faced with the threat from the belligerent North, critics believe they simply raise tension on an already tense Korean peninsula.

A small group of protesters gathered at South Korea’s southern harbour city of Busan to make their voices heard.

“The joint military exercise by South Korea and the United States could only make the peninsula fall into the mire of war. We hope the exercise will stop right now. The people of the North and South Koreans are one nationality and we should exclude external powers,” said one of the demonstrators.

The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis has arrived
in Busan to participate in the drills.

The exercises are an annual show of military might that the North sees as an threat of invasion. Amid its warnings of a possible preemptive strike in response, Pyongyang is said to be desperately seeking a missing submarine.

Details are scarce but reports from the US suggest that Kim Jong Un’s sub – which was apparently being secretly watched by the Americans – may have sunk after suffering a technical problem during exercises of its own.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-03-14

[khwaibah]

Someone forgot to close the screen door..

[klauskunkel]

Kim Jong Un’s sub – which was apparently being secretly watched by the Americans – may have sunk after suffering a technical problem during exercises of its own.

Since it was Kim Jong Un's sub, chances are it was overweight.

[lovelomsak]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

[jaidam]

With hightened tensions on the peninsula this year I think the USA was unwise to publicize the annual war games so heavily. It is provocative no 2 ways about it. The wise solution would have been a drone strike on Kim years ago. I even suggested the only way out was taking out Kim, but was told by the left that sending Dennis Rodman over for the weekend and the Obama administration's political cuddling with the regime was the right way to go. Forgive me for not acting surprised at the near state of nuclear armageddon we are now in.

[smedly]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

a handful of people means nothing

It would be interesting to see what would happen if the west withdrew support completely, do you think it would lead to peace lol..........I don't

pretty sure most people would like to see such a divided country united - but at what cost and run by who, S Korea has matured into a prosperous and well balance country, the same cannot be said for the north

[smedly]

With hightened tensions on the peninsula this year I think the USA was unwise to publicize the annual war games so heavily. It is provocative no 2 ways about it. The wise solution would have been a drone strike on Kim years ago. I even suggested the only way out was taking out Kim, but was told by the left that sending Dennis Rodman over for the weekend and the Obama administration's political cuddling with the regime was the right way to go. Forgive me for not acting surprised at the near state of nuclear armageddon we are now in.

I usually agree with most of your posts but when a crackpot dictator is threatening to nuke everyone on the planet I think a solid message is required on no uncertain terms

[wwest5829]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

As an American, I am all in favor of cutting back on our military spending and, more importantly, not sending Americans in harm's way. Tell you what, let the South Korean people vote on voiding the S. Korean - US defense treaty. I wish to see regional sovereign nations taking the lead with the US acting only as a trusted supporter but no longer taking on the burden of lead player.

In the Middle East that means the Arab nations act against ISIS if they deem it in their interests. With the Crimea/Ukraine Europe takes the lead if they deem it in their interest. In the South China Seaa those nations with conflicting sovereignty claims deal with the issue (that said, I want the US to continue to sail or fly in accord with free international passage under international law). Do not misunderstand me, the Taliban allows the camps training people to attack us and I would have no hestiation of sending in massive bombing, then withdrawing...allow training again and the US again to use massive force...we just do not stay.

[lovelomsak]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

As an American, I am all in favor of cutting back on our military spending and, more importantly, not sending Americans in harm's way. Tell you what, let the South Korean people vote on voiding the S. Korean - US defense treaty. I wish to see regional sovereign nations taking the lead with the US acting only as a trusted supporter but no longer taking on the burden of lead player.

In the Middle East that means the Arab nations act against ISIS if they deem it in their interests. With the Crimea/Ukraine Europe takes the lead if they deem it in their interest. In the South China Seaa those nations with conflicting sovereignty claims deal with the issue (that said, I want the US to continue to sail or fly in accord with free international passage under international law). Do not misunderstand me, the Taliban allows the camps training people to attack us and I would have no hestiation of sending in massive bombing, then withdrawing...allow training again and the US again to use massive force...we just do not stay.

Do not misunderstand me, the Taliban allows the camps training people to attack us and I would have no hestiation of sending in massive bombing, then withdrawing...allow training again and the US again to use massive force...we just do not stay.

I totally agree with your last sentence. groups like the Tlaiban. the free world should go in hit then hard and leave and let them know we donot want to have to come back or next time will be very harsh.

that is what the atom bomb was and it worked. But cannot use that now .

Edited March 14, 2016 by lovelomsak

[HenryB]

Somehow Israel has something to do with the missing Submarine. See how easy it is to blame everything on Israel

[geriatrickid]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

What do you know of the small group of protestors? Why is it that the overwhelming majority of South Koreans are in favour of retaining the small US military presence? If the South Koreans didn't want the USA, they could very easily stop paying part of the US military expenses and ask the USA to leave. The Philippines did just that. Unfortunately, the Philippines miscalculated and has had to go cap in hand and ask the USA to return. It is offering the USA 8 military bases.

You really hate the USA don't you.

[geriatrickid]

With hightened tensions on the peninsula this year I think the USA was unwise to publicize the annual war games so heavily. It is provocative no 2 ways about it. The wise solution would have been a drone strike on Kim years ago. I even suggested the only way out was taking out Kim, but was told by the left that sending Dennis Rodman over for the weekend and the Obama administration's political cuddling with the regime was the right way to go. Forgive me for not acting surprised at the near state of nuclear armageddon we are now in.

I usually agree with most of your posts but when a crackpot dictator is threatening to nuke everyone on the planet I think a solid message is required on no uncertain terms

Putin gave one. He made it very clear that if North Korea kept threatening to nuke other countries, it provided justification for a preemptive first strike. Putin just green lighted the nuking of North Korea. It's up to China now to agree.

[billd766]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

The US is still working with the treaty from 1953 which is a ceasefire and NOT the end of the Korean war. North Korea is the party that refuses to sign and is still technically at war with South Korea.

The US government has a treaty with the government of South Korea but not with every individual person.

Are all of the population of South Korea happy to see the North Korean missile and nuclear warhead tests?

[billd766]

Somehow Israel has something to do with the missing Submarine. See how easy it is to blame everything on Israel

No. Israel has nothing to with the missing sbmarine.

Thaksin has bribed the crew and bought the submarine and will give it to the Thai government as a present.

See how easy it is to blame everything on Thaksin.

[Norvid 1950]

All dictatorial communists are feeding people with messages of imminent danger from enemies, reactionaries, decedents, spies, imperialist west, foreign warmongers, fighting for socialism, corrupted and rotted west, etc. and great socialism under the permanent danger of war and permanent fight to build democratic socialism. This is also excuse for the bad economy, starvation, diseases, luck of food, luck of medicine, luck of anything really, labor camps, prisons, military exercises, purges within the government itself, etc. Castro was daily feeding his people with permanent revolution, soviets with eminent imperialism war, etc, etc. This is how they stay in power. Lies and power. Power and privileges. North Korea is one big concentration camp with brainwash broadcast 24/7 on radio and in few hours a day on TV. Everything is staged like in judeosoviets it was and like in Tsarist Russia was for the Tsar visiting chosen towns. Even villages and houses on roads were staged like in today's movies. It's hard to believe, but this is what it was and what it is. Just propaganda for masses in a totalitarian state. By the way, is it a new world order blueprint? Goebbels should be very proud indeed.

[HenryB]

Somehow Israel has something to do with the missing Submarine. See how easy it is to blame everything on Israel

No. Israel has nothing to with the missing sbmarine.

Thaksin has bribed the crew and bought the submarine and will give it to the Thai government as a present.

See how easy it is to blame everything on Thaksin.

Ha I when the Navy gets it he will be let back

But sorry I still to blame it on the Massard

[Baerboxer]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

As an American, I am all in favor of cutting back on our military spending and, more importantly, not sending Americans in harm's way. Tell you what, let the South Korean people vote on voiding the S. Korean - US defense treaty. I wish to see regional sovereign nations taking the lead with the US acting only as a trusted supporter but no longer taking on the burden of lead player.

In the Middle East that means the Arab nations act against ISIS if they deem it in their interests. With the Crimea/Ukraine Europe takes the lead if they deem it in their interest. In the South China Seaa those nations with conflicting sovereignty claims deal with the issue (that said, I want the US to continue to sail or fly in accord with free international passage under international law). Do not misunderstand me, the Taliban allows the camps training people to attack us and I would have no hestiation of sending in massive bombing, then withdrawing...allow training again and the US again to use massive force...we just do not stay.

Many Americans saw isolationism as the answer in WW1 and WW11. That was before globalization.

The real question is who will pick up the baton, shoulder the responsibility, take all the shit and carry the expense burden after America? Britain did it before. Can't see any takers!

[Credo]

I think Russia or China would be happy to pick up the mantle. Even North Korea might want to give it a go.

[BarnicaleBob]

I hope the missing North Korean sub is the same one that sank the South Korean Navy vessel a few years ago. Justice

[Dumbastheycome]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

The US is still working with the treaty from 1953 which is a ceasefire and NOT the end of the Korean war. North Korea is the party that refuses to sign and is still technically at war with South Korea.

The US government has a treaty with the government of South Korea but not with every individual person.

Are all of the population of South Korea happy to see the North Korean missile and nuclear warhead tests?

The 1953 Treaty is between which countries? The ceasefire ? The division of Korea was not a Korean choice.

Consider the fact that this war was part of a USA policy to control communism......and a display of military action in the beginnings of what became the cold war. Successful?

Not really ! A succession of countries were involved in conflicts which ultimately defied that policy .Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.And did the world end????

In Korea answer to the "horror of communism the USA installed masses of nuclear horror ( against the terms of the treaty) in South Korea to "persuade" the North to back off.

To this day North Korea has never conceded defeat.

Instead it has surrepticiously over a very long period developed it's own answer.

There would not be a sensible or rational person alive who could find genuine justification for either side to start a nuclear conflict.

North Korea is now singularly the last example of the USA led UN concession on communist containment. But it has now devolved into a puerile dispute. Even China has demonstrated a desire to find a better solution by formulation of the UN sanctions recently applied.

Yet the USA continues it's own "in your face' tauntings of a regime that would prefer defiance ( or financial extortion) to retain its original precepts.

I can find no difference in the USA/ North Korean philosophical standoff perspective other than a puerile refusal to concede to the fact that in this more advanced communicative and technological era there is no justification to threaten the wider world.

Who could find any claim to victory by creating the destruction of everything ? Extremism can have many face masks!

[billd766]

IMHO the only country with enough power to control NK without breaking out into a "real" war is China.

They have enough military power and assets, enough civilian power and assets and probably enough covert power and assets to deal with NK. I don't know if they are keeping the NK regime as a buffer between China and SK/USA/ and the west and using Kim Jong Un as a bogeyman bu I would like to think that they want to keep the NK as a buffer state without worrying who is running it.

If they could find a new leader "acceptable" to all sides and slightly more relaxed regime in NK without Kim then the rest of the world would probably accept that and perhaps the annual war games would ratchet down also.

[wwest5829]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

As an American, I am all in favor of cutting back on our military spending and, more importantly, not sending Americans in harm's way. Tell you what, let the South Korean people vote on voiding the S. Korean - US defense treaty. I wish to see regional sovereign nations taking the lead with the US acting only as a trusted supporter but no longer taking on the burden of lead player.

In the Middle East that means the Arab nations act against ISIS if they deem it in their interests. With the Crimea/Ukraine Europe takes the lead if they deem it in their interest. In the South China Seaa those nations with conflicting sovereignty claims deal with the issue (that said, I want the US to continue to sail or fly in accord with free international passage under international law). Do not misunderstand me, the Taliban allows the camps training people to attack us and I would have no hestiation of sending in massive bombing, then withdrawing...allow training again and the US again to use massive force...we just do not stay.

Many Americans saw isolationism as the answer in WW1 and WW11. That was before globalization.

The real question is who will pick up the baton, shoulder the responsibility, take all the shit and carry the expense burden after America? Britain did it before. Can't see any takers!

I rather look for a course between having over 800 bases worldwide and isolation (which I am not proposing). Looking for regional powers to collectively face their own interests. If you want a new imperial power...well one out of five people in the world are Chinese. But I promote the idea of regional powers facing challenges rather than waiting on a US lead. If it is not, for example, in the interest of the nation's having overlapping claims in the South China Sea...then, no the US does not have a "lead" role. We just continue to sail, fly freely under international law. Wo be it to China to take any aggressive action against a nation operating under established international law.

[wwest5829]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

The US is still working with the treaty from 1953 which is a ceasefire and NOT the end of the Korean war. North Korea is the party that refuses to sign and is still technically at war with South Korea.

The US government has a treaty with the government of South Korea but not with every individual person.

Are all of the population of South Korea happy to see the North Korean missile and nuclear warhead tests?

The 1953 Treaty is between which countries? The ceasefire ? The division of Korea was not a Korean choice.

Consider the fact that this war was part of a USA policy to control communism......and a display of military action in the beginnings of what became the cold war. Successful?

Not really ! A succession of countries were involved in conflicts which ultimately defied that policy .Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.And did the world end????

In Korea answer to the "horror of communism the USA installed masses of nuclear horror ( against the terms of the treaty) in South Korea to "persuade" the North to back off.

To this day North Korea has never conceded defeat.

Instead it has surrepticiously over a very long period developed it's own answer.

There would not be a sensible or rational person alive who could find genuine justification for either side to start a nuclear conflict.

North Korea is now singularly the last example of the USA led UN concession on communist containment. But it has now devolved into a puerile dispute. Even China has demonstrated a desire to find a better solution by formulation of the UN sanctions recently applied.

Yet the USA continues it's own "in your face' tauntings of a regime that would prefer defiance ( or financial extortion) to retain its original precepts.

I can find no difference in the USA/ North Korean philosophical standoff perspective other than a puerile refusal to concede to the fact that in this more advanced communicative and technological era there is no justification to threaten the wider world.

Who could find any claim to victory by creating the destruction of everything ? Extremism can have many face masks!

Assume you are trolling since the answer to the question you ask, which countries signed the 1953 armistice treaty is readily available on the Internet,(albeit not in such a country as North Korea). I believe you chose not to mention that the beginning of the UN vote and subsequent military action was as a result of North Korea invading the south. Unfortunately, the US took on the bulk of the UN action but several other UN member countries were committed to the "Police Action". At the time, just following WW II, it was the only democracy not seriously incapacitated by WW II.

I do not disagree with the point that "containment" was, in itself often misguided and historically unnessessary as there exist no pure communist government and many have fallen as a result of the failed ideology. That said, there is a distinct, discernible difference in societal organization in the remaining "communist" governments and the government's of the western nations. You are hard pressed to show the people are better off under totalitarian, one party rule than in countries allowing the diversity of political opinion, with all their inherent shortcomings.

I suggest you use your time to find a better example of the US throwing its weight around (and there are, indeed, many to choose from).

[Dumbastheycome]

America just does not get it.Even when people from South Korea tell them they arenot wanted there they donot listen.They donot really care about South Korea. they care about military power.The Thai junta and Us military should have a long close relationship appears they are of the same kind.

The US is still working with the treaty from 1953 which is a ceasefire and NOT the end of the Korean war. North Korea is the party that refuses to sign and is still technically at war with South Korea.

The US government has a treaty with the government of South Korea but not with every individual person.

Are all of the population of South Korea happy to see the North Korean missile and nuclear warhead tests?

The 1953 Treaty is between which countries? The ceasefire ? The division of Korea was not a Korean choice.

Consider the fact that this war was part of a USA policy to control communism......and a display of military action in the beginnings of what became the cold war. Successful?

Not really ! A succession of countries were involved in conflicts which ultimately defied that policy .Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.And did the world end????

In Korea answer to the "horror of communism the USA installed masses of nuclear horror ( against the terms of the treaty) in South Korea to "persuade" the North to back off.

To this day North Korea has never conceded defeat.

Instead it has surrepticiously over a very long period developed it's own answer.

There would not be a sensible or rational person alive who could find genuine justification for either side to start a nuclear conflict.

North Korea is now singularly the last example of the USA led UN concession on communist containment. But it has now devolved into a puerile dispute. Even China has demonstrated a desire to find a better solution by formulation of the UN sanctions recently applied.

Yet the USA continues it's own "in your face' tauntings of a regime that would prefer defiance ( or financial extortion) to retain its original precepts.

I can find no difference in the USA/ North Korean philosophical standoff perspective other than a puerile refusal to concede to the fact that in this more advanced communicative and technological era there is no justification to threaten the wider world.

Who could find any claim to victory by creating the destruction of everything ? Extremism can have many face masks!

Assume you are trolling since the answer to the question you ask, which countries signed the 1953 armistice treaty is readily available on the Internet,(albeit not in such a country as North Korea). I believe you chose not to mention that the beginning of the UN vote and subsequent military action was as a result of North Korea invading the south. Unfortunately, the US took on the bulk of the UN action but several other UN member countries were committed to the "Police Action". At the time, just following WW II, it was the only democracy not seriously incapacitated by WW II.

I do not disagree with the point that "containment" was, in itself often misguided and historically unnessessary as there exist no pure communist government and many have fallen as a result of the failed ideology. That said, there is a distinct, discernible difference in societal organization in the remaining "communist" governments and the government's of the western nations. You are hard pressed to show the people are better off under totalitarian, one party rule than in countries allowing the diversity of political opinion, with all their inherent shortcomings.

I suggest you use your time to find a better example of the US throwing its weight around (and there are, indeed, many to choose from).

Trolling? How/why so? The entire involvement in Korea was/is a policy of one nation controlling the UN in it's pursuit. It is this historic assumption of superiority on the back of concessional support that has eversince permeated and manipulated international events primarily in singular interst of outcome.

NK invading SK certainly was the beginning of a war of defiance of the designation of Korea as USA colonial property and denied the right to self determination.

It is now a moot subject as to the outcome. Nobody can deny that NK exists in an undesirable situation humanitarianly.Hard pressed to what? But what is being perpetuated has the potenial to inflict greater humanitarian outrage .

And that as a direct result of the imposition of a political/social philosophy of the USA in its predetermined campaign of domination!

The USA has exercised countless examples and continues to do so under the auspices of the UN.

I have no intention to spend my time seeking out examples of USA contraventions...They are daily events!

" people are better off under totalitarian, one party rule than in countries allowing the diversity of political opinion, with all their inherent shortcomings."

Hah!

[Credo]

A small group in S. Korea are protesting. I am reasonably sure that if the S. Korean gov't asked the US to leave, it would leave.

I wonder how many in N. Korea have the same right to protest?