DAMAGE CONTROL - IS THERE ANYONE AWAKE TO SEE WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA????

Opinion of the Editor 'James' - Obama in the White House blog

What seems to be what is about to happen between North and South Korea has been boiling up to this point for some time. It always seems that N. Korea feels that it is being provoked. Why would South Korea who controls one of the many islands off of the North Korean mainland called Youngpyeong, hold drills near this island, being that the island is situated just 7 miles away from mainland North Korea? I can't help but try to understand what the United States would do if Cuba was 7 miles away from Florida instead of 90 miles. What would the Americans do if in that case, if Fidel Castro of  Cuba decided to hold military drills that close to the United States. Would the United States allow it?
Yet, the United States is supporting South Korea, but realizes that the boiling pot is about to run over. South Korea is determined to run these drills. North Korea is up front, telling the whole world that if South Korea carries out the drills, even to the South-West of their own island, they would retalliate. I am trying to understand here why the Obama government has allowed this issue to come to this stage. This situation is like the economy when it spiraled downhill. What the heck can anyone do to stop what is about to happen?!!
What is about to happen is uncalled for, and I highly doubt that any talks initiated between the three superpowers of the United States, China and Russia can stop what is about to happen. Thousands, maybe millions of innocent lives may be lost here in the end. The tension in this part of the world in a sense can be cut with a knife, and since the original attack, the super powers have done nothing but to hold exercises to try and show North Korea the might of the forces that would protect South Korea. But is the United States that ignorant to think that countries may not come to the aid of North Korea? I believe that negotiations can usually stall such a confrontation, but in this case, it is way too late. When I think of the consequences, I am so happy that my wife from the Philippines no longer lives in that part of the world. Maybe nowhere in the world is safe these days, but at least I feel confident that no country would try and provoke such an attack on the United States, especially since the event of 911. It is my opinion that the United States has done a poor job in preventing such a confrontation to happen. With this said, without question I support President Obama and this issue is proof that our prior Government run by George W. Bush has failed us in keeping the world a safe place to live. It is actually more safe to live on the moon these days. At the same time, I am not removing blame to President Obama. He can never claim that President Bush started this war. If in the end, nothing happens here between North and South Korea and United States somehow helps to prevent this war, then President Obama should win his second Nobel Peace Prize in two years time.
Now, regardless of the lives lost, the only result of such a war between the North Koreans and the South may be the destruction of two countries, with the one that uses the most force, would win. Christmas this year may prove to be a very disasterous time for the world. In my opinion, this threat is actually more serious than what was uncovered by Bush in Iraq. Bush created his own war. It is a matter of time before President Obama sends thousands of troops to Korea and become another costly effort in an attempt to keep peace on the other side of the world.

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North Korea and South Korea will Battle if Exercises Take Place

It appears as if the inevitable is about to happen. North Korea has just warned South Korea to stop the planned drills on Yeonpyeong island sometime between Saturday and Tuesday. The island belongs to the South, but is situated very close to the North Korean border, just 7 miles away. North Korea believes that South Korea is provoking the issue. North Korea claims that if the drills take place on the island, that another stike will be forthcoming on the island by North Korea. Tension is high. North Korea claims that such a drill is an infringment on its territory. As the North claims, if the South Korean military continues with the plan, "unpredictable self-defenseive strikes will be made." But at the same time, the South claims that all threats by the North Korea will not stop the planned drills.
So where does this leave the United States. The U.S. supports the South, and China supports the North. Tensions are extemely high in the reason and it is believed that if the North attacks again, South Korea will not hesitate to respond with a large counterstrike. This is just what the world needed before Christmas.

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Obama Meets with Top Advisers on Korea Situation

VOA NewsCom


U.S. President Barack Obama met Tuesday with his top advisers about the situation on the Korean peninsula, in the wake of North Korea's artillery attack on a South Korean island. Obama is expected to telephone South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to reiterate U.S. support for South Korea.

Immediately upon his return to the White House from a brief trip to the Midwestern state of Indiana, the president went into a meeting  of his national security team.

According to a White House statement, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, and Secretaries of State and Defense Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates were among those taking part.

Also participating in person or via video link were the chairman of the U.S. military Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen and the commander of U.S. forces in Korea, General Walter Sharp as well as Admiral Robert Willard, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice.

The White House statement says Obama reiterated the unshakeable support of the United States for the Republic of Korea, and that he discussed ways to advance peace and security on the Korean peninsula.

Briefing reporters earlier in the day, Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton described Mr. Obama has being "outraged" by North Korean actions on Tuesday, adding that the United States "stands shoulder to shoulder" with South Korea and that it is fully committed to South Korea's defense.

It is unknown what contacts President Obama has made or plans to make with other world leaders. Asked whether the president would call China's President Hu Jintao, White House Burton said only that Obama would do what is appropriate.

U.S. envoy for North Korea Stephen Bosworth was in Beijing, consulting South Korean, Japanese and Chinese officials, and is expected to meet with the president. The key focus of Bosworth's talks in the region was Pyongyang's recent revelation of an apparent uranium enrichment plant.  

Bosworth called the North Korean artillery attack that killed two South Korean marines and wounded 18 people, three of them civilians, "aggression."  

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday called the attack an "unprovoked military assault," and said the Obama administration is planning a "measured and unified" response, working with China and other nations in the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.

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North Korea attacks South Korean Island with Artillery in Disputed Waters

North Korea attacked South Korea today in a deliberate bombing of an island near their disputed sea border. Two of South Korea's marines were killed along with several dozen building were hit and on fire.
It appears that North Korea may be sending a message to South Korea that they want all military drills in the area to cease. This information was provided by South Korean officials. South Korea was participating in military drills at the time, as they were firing artillery in disputed waters, no where near North Korea. President Obama along with officials of Japan an other Asian countries, condemned the bombings. The South Koreans have taken this attack as an act of war, but because the world community has urged South Korea not to take immediate action, they appear to be standing down for now. But it is clear to the world community that North Korea should be held accountable for their actions. Followups of this story will be forthcoming.

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