North Korea

I wonder how many American citizens are paying attention to what is happening in North Korea right now.  I know that the major headline a month or so ago was the death of the North Korean leader and the uncertainty of how how his son would lead.  Would his son continue on with the development and possible use of Nuclear Weapons or would he look at ways to help his country grow and prosper?

I served a tour of duty on the Korean pennisula during my time in the United States Army and to say that it was a stressful year is an understatement.  You are briefed about the dangers from the day that you get there and it is reinterated during your time there in the way that you do your job.  Korea is still a war torn country and there is still a great deal of tension between North and South.  I had never seen a country that was poised for war more then when I was stationed there.

Recently there have been stides made by the United States, South Korea, North Korea, and China in regards to a possible nuclear disarmament.  There is an agreement in place right now with North Korea that they will suspend major elements of its atomic weapons program.  Our part of the agreement is in a pledged food aid shipment.  The draw back to this is that we need to be guarded but optimistic at the same time.

I say that because there have been many false hopes when it has come to this issue with North Korea.  There is a history of failed nuclear agreements dating back to the signing of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty of 1985 when North Korea does not sign a safeguard deal with the IAEA because they are demanding the withdrawl of US forces from South Korea.

I hope and pray that this is the real one but I hope at the same time that we are being vigilant in regards to our National Security and not letting our eyes watch the birdy while the hand is stealing from our pocket.