With the announcement by North Korea of nuclear bomb testing, the world began to pay close attention to the Asian country. The fallout detected by U.S. satellites was felt farther than the bombs’ reach. North Korea’s recent nuclear activities have had a worldwide impact. The importance of the issue has also been felt by Koreans living in Baton Rouge.
Thoughts from the Younger Generation Jai Jung, biological sciences freshman, was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, where his family currently resides. Turmoil in North Korea has been something that has always been present for Jung. “At my earliest age [North Korea] was the enemy,” Jung said. “Overtime, [South Korea] tried to make friends.” The perspective Jung’s family has of North Korea goes back many generations. “My father’s generation and grandfather’s generation [fought in the Korean War],” Jung said. The personal ties relating to the tensions between North and South Korea only begin to uncover the deep feelings Jung has relating to the subject. “It is a survival game,” Jung said, pertaining to North Korea’s recent nuclear activities. “[North Korea] knows that the [United States] is the power nation. North Korea with nuclear weapons feels they can now have some of that power.” The solution to a growing problem will not be easy, and in the worst instances it may lead to war. But as Jung describes it, war is the last thing the Koreans want. “The leaders of North Korea and South Korea do not want the worst to break out. They do not want to lose all they have got,” Jung said. “[North Korea] knows the power the [United States] has is too much. The [North Korean] soldiers are the only ones who want war.” The international relations between the United States and North Korea has been on and off. In recent years the nations have discussed issues, most notably in 2002 when President George W. Bush declared North Korea to be a member of the “axis of evil.” “Bush at first did not want to talk to North Korea,” Jung said. “[North Korea] is an evil country, now the [United States] wants to talk. They should of done that earlier.” Feelings from the Older Generation Having lived in South Korea for 31 years of his life, Jung Young Cho, chemistry graduate student, has his share of thoughts on the ever-growing controversy in North Korea. “The information I learned about North Korea [growing up] came from the South Korean government,” Cho said. “[North Korea] is starving and does not have enough resources for living.” The recent nuclear activities by President Kim Jong Il have escalated this mysterious character into the international spotlight. Motives behind North Korea’s nuclear tests are unknown, yet as Cho explains they are well understood by Jong Il. “Kim Jong Il wants to stay in power,” Cho said he thinks. “Right now [North Korea] has no resources for the people. Kim Jong Il’s last choice was nuclear power.” The thought of war breaking out between North Korea and the world has often entered the realm of reality. Cho said he thinks he understands the mentality North Korea and the other Asian nations have about war. “China, South Korea and Japan do not want war. Kim Jong Il is bluffing with his nuclear threat,” Cho said. “[Kim Jong Il] did it for the resources and money. If the Americans attack North Korea and win the war, the border would be China/[United States]. China does not want this, and Kim Jong knows that.” The key to resolving the North Korea matter is to have talks between North Korea and America rather than North Korea and the UN Security Council, Cho said. Cho’s feelings on North Korea only wanting to hold meetings with the United States greatly has to do with Jong Il’s vast understanding of the U.S. role in South Korea’s power. “South Korea has an army. But if a war were to break out, [South Korea’s] president could not control the army, but rather the Americans could,” Cho said. “Kim Jong Il knows about this so that’s why he wants to talk to America.”
The History of Korea The Korean peninsula has not always been a divided piece of land. For a majority of the land’s existence, the country of Korea was ruled by various rulers and reigns. The biggest hardships for the people of Korea have only come in the last century. The Japanese took control of Korea in 1905. Korea did not become independent of Japanese rule until the United States defeated Japan in World War II. Shortly after World War II, Korea was divided amongst the two world powers: the United States and the Soviet Union. North Korea was administered to the Soviets, while South Korea was taken under control by the United States. Less than five years later, tension erupted in the peninsula. On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began. The conflict was a struggle about communism between the United States and Soviet Union. “The Forgotten War” was brought to a cease-fire on July 27, 1953. Over hundreds of Koreans were killed as well as 54,000 U.S. soldiers.
The Man Behind the Mask The controversial actions taken out by the Communist nation of North Korea have been pushed forth by President Kim Jong Il. The mysterious leader of North Korea has been said to be a mix between Josef Stalin and Saddam Hussein. His rise to international notoriety was a lifelong process that did not come into focus until about 12 years ago. Jong Il was born in 1941 and from recent reports his birthplace is unknown. Scientists’ best guesses are that Jong Il was born in Siberia, Russia, during a time his father, Kim Il Sung, leader of North Korea from 1948-1994, was in exile. In 1994, Jong Il became dictator of North Korea when his father died of heart failure. Since taking power, Jong Il has been known for his “cruelty and unpredictability.” During his reign, millions have reported to have died from starvation and malnutrition. The personal life of Jong Il is as mysterious as the very country he runs. As a child he was commonly known for wearing platform shoes to make him appear taller. The 5-foot-2-inch President is a tremendous fan of American-made movies. He has all the James Bond films and owns over 20,000 movies. As well as being a big movie fanatic, Jong Il is also known for not flying on airplanes. All the his traveling is done on his own armored train. John B. Henderson, history professor who specializes in East Asia and China, has different feelings regarding Jong Il. “It’s hard to say he’s the man in charge,” Henderson said. “North Korea is so secretive. Maybe someone else is in charge.” Henderson said he thinks feeling a small nation like North Korea obtains nuclear weapons for a reason far from actually using it. “A lot of countries may think they have to obtain nuclear weapons in one way or another,” Henderson said. “I do not think [North Korea would] drop a bomb. They would use it as a bargaining chip or blackmail.”
—–Contact Chris Ballay at [email protected]