N Korea vows retaliation over U.S. halting food aid

World Apr. 18, 2012 - 01:30PM JST ( 61 )

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61 Comments

6

ReformedBasherApr. 18, 2012 - 02:05PM JST

Food aid? Surely the paradise that is North Korea has no need to receive food from outsiders?

Maybe it's a misprint. It should probably read "North Korea scraps food aid to the US due to their constant interference with the peace-loving North Korean's to spread harmony throughout the world".

Am I right?
5

sakuralaApr. 18, 2012 - 02:07PM JST

I think it is great for countries to have ambitions such as a space program, however North Korea needs to first look at its country. When people are starving because they can't produce enough food for its citizens, then maybe they should hold of on ''satellite'' launches until the country is stable. But it looks like they are going to go the old childish route of throwing a nuclear temper-tantrum. Hopefully the new leader will get his hear together and realize that this isn't the best way to run a country.
-6

NetNinjaApr. 18, 2012 - 02:34PM JST

The North and South seriously need to reunite but I doubt it's going to happen in my lifetime. Something really bad is going to happen over there eventually.

It always comes down to the rich and poor. Using proper agricultural technology ,an abundance of food can be produced. We simply aren't sharing that with them. The governments of both our nations aren't allowing North Koreans to enter our universities.

It's not like they don't get rain in NK. If anything, the problem is they're using too many of their men for military and not enough for agriculture and technology.

It's not all their fault though. There's a reason why they don't trust the outside world. Doubt our own societies can reflect on themselves to see the reason why.
9

Ben JackApr. 18, 2012 - 02:42PM JST

There's a reason why they don't trust the outside world. Doubt our own societies can reflect on themselves to see the reason why.

Okay, I've reflected on it. It is North Korea's fault. It is their fault their people are starving. It is their fault they use their money to threaten other countries instead of feeding their starving people. It is their fault they have a country from which people are willing to risk death to escape. It is their fault that their are not getting the food aid from the US. Now, it is North Korea's turn to reflect. However, I seriously doubt that is going to happen any time soon.
-3

WilliBApr. 18, 2012 - 03:00PM JST

Won´t happen. There will huffing and puffing, and then the media gives us photos of starving NK children, and then the West will resume aid shipments to NK..... which of course go to the NK military first.

Same playbook as always.

Obamas NK "engagement" aka coddling policy plays out as it has to.
2

smithinjapanApr. 18, 2012 - 03:06PM JST

North Korea was planning to do it anyway, they just made everyone play into their hands, forcing them to give NK a 'reason' to break off the treaty and test a weapon. It won't go much beyond that, though, as once again the nations around NK and the US can't really do anything further than sanctions, and after things calm down we'll see the cycle repeat, with Kim Jong-Un promising to come to the table in exchange for food and energy aid, etc.

At any rate, we can't expect any progress to be made with NK and/or the reunification issue until AFTER the new leader has shown he can wear the big-boy pants like his daddy did. After that, MAYBE we'll see some progress. Can't have him looking weak from the outset, though.
1

smithinjapanApr. 18, 2012 - 03:08PM JST

WilliB: "Obamas NK "engagement" aka coddling policy plays out as it has to."

How did I know you'd bring your personal politics into this? Obama's not doing anything different from his predecessor, and the predecessor before that. Yes, I agree they'll only halt aid shipments for a short time, because, as you said, same playbook as always.
-1

WilliBApr. 18, 2012 - 04:13PM JST

Smithjapan:

" How did I know you'd bring your personal politics into this? Obama's not doing anything different from his predecessor, "

Go back and check out previous policy. Bush tried a hard line on NK and was (predictably) lambasted by liberal media and Obama supporters for that. Obamas soft line on NK was supposed to be a most intelligent and welcome change.

I am not saying that GWBs policy achieved much either, but you can not claim with a straigh face that they are the same.
4

LFRAgainApr. 18, 2012 - 04:21PM JST

"We have thus become able to take necessary retaliatory measures, free from the agreement. The U.S. will be held wholly accountable for all the ensuing consequences,” its foreign ministry said."

They're going to retaliate because the U.S. won't feed their people while they piss money down the drain on a ultimately pointless nuclear program? How, for the love of Pete?

Un-freakin-believable. Even post-Kim, the bat-s#it-craziness that we've come to know and love from North Korea continues unabated.
7

NambyPambyApr. 18, 2012 - 04:28PM JST

When a bum demands your money under threats, he is no longer a bum, but rather a thief.

A very stupid move by NK.
1

ironchefApr. 18, 2012 - 04:52PM JST

oooooohhhhh soooo scary!
1

gyouzaApr. 18, 2012 - 05:57PM JST

The food aid was probably going to feed the militiary anyway!
1

KariHarukaApr. 18, 2012 - 06:53PM JST

Blah blah blah. Just another childish tantrum by NK blaming everyone else for their misbehaviour.
0

vinnyfavApr. 18, 2012 - 07:03PM JST

Go back and check out previous policy. Bush tried a hard line on NK and was (predictably) lambasted by liberal media and Obama supporters for that. Obamas soft line on NK was supposed to be a most intelligent and welcome change. I am not saying that GWBs policy achieved much either, but you can not claim with a straigh face that they are the same.

NK needs the coddling to get out of the corner they trapped themselves in. There's pretty much no way their pride will allow them to simply capitulate unconditionally to US demands. A hardline stance against NK is almost always going to ensure a hardline response.

The change in leadership in NK was fortuitious timing. There was real hope for a while that things might actually work towards a resolution when the bilateral talks reached an actual agreement. Unfortunately, the "satelite" launch pretty much shot that out of the water. Maybe the world would be on its way to being a better place if Kim Il-Sung wasn't born in April. But wishful thinking at this point in time is pretty much wasted effort. We can only hope the US will remain receptive if NK makes any overtures in the future, and that things will resolve peacefully before anything really bad goes down.
-1

SuperLibApr. 18, 2012 - 07:21PM JST

It's just all so depressing....
0

Eduardo GonzalezApr. 18, 2012 - 07:42PM JST

For North Koreans, please reply if you'll think they'll invade South Korea, Japan, and the US before this year ends
0

SerranoApr. 18, 2012 - 07:58PM JST

Cheer up, SuperLib! I mean, how much longer can North Korea continue as a functioning state?
5 more years? 10 at the most?
5

yasukuniApr. 18, 2012 - 08:36PM JST

There are reportedly 200,000 people in camps. Be seen as someone who rebels against the govt, and you and kids and grandkids can be sent to a labor camp. Fear like that can keep evil people in power for a long time. Sadly, I think the only thing to do is stop the food aid for good. Maybe if people get to the point that they figure they will die anyway they might rise up. But giving food so far hasn't helped.

Wish I had a solution to this.
-8

tmarieApr. 18, 2012 - 09:03PM JST

Ah, just when I had hopes for the Kim. Seems to be petty like his dad. Oh wait, nope. He's not running the country. Damn crazy generals.
1

samwattersApr. 18, 2012 - 10:33PM JST

"Okay, I've reflected on it. It is North Korea's fault. It is their fault their people are starving. It is their fault they use their money to threaten other countries instead of feeding their starving people. It is their fault they have a country from which people are willing to risk death to escape. It is their fault that their are not getting the food aid from the US. Now, it is North Korea's turn to reflect." @Ben Jack. I wish more people like you were in on policy decisions regarding North Korea.
1

napoleancomplexApr. 18, 2012 - 11:10PM JST

they brought this upon themselves yet blame the U.S and the world for what may happen... what a bunch of cowards
0

TigermothIIApr. 18, 2012 - 11:51PM JST

How exactly are they going to retaliate? We import enough crappy products from other countries not to need anything they might produce - if they indeed do produce anything worthwhile. Are they going to launch rockets at us?
2

USNinJapan2Apr. 19, 2012 - 01:11AM JST

TigermothII

How exactly are they going to retaliate?

A hunger strike? : )
-5

YuriOtaniApr. 19, 2012 - 01:20AM JST

Using food as a weapon is EVIL. The people in the camps will die of starvation. The first mistake of America was giving the food dependent upon The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea not doing something. There was a system in place to see that the food reached the intended people. Then again the food is of so so quality and think the upper people would not eat it. Perhaps the Army would eat more of the local food available. The problem I have is starving innocent people in the name of punishing the Peoples Republic leadership. Just think of these men, women and children starving to death. Picture their suffering and tell me again it is correct. Then again Americans can do all sorts of mental twists, saying the dropping of the atomic bombs was a good thing. They killed untold numbers of innocent civilians to protect their troops. Again, lastly and always, the use of FOOD as a weapon is EVIL itself.
1

JohnBeckerApr. 19, 2012 - 01:25AM JST

How exactly are they going to retaliate?

Don't forget that NK has one of the largest armies in the world, and is still at war with SK.
1

gelendestrasseApr. 19, 2012 - 01:38AM JST

the nuclear-armed North broke off a bilateral agreement ...

Nope, the US told NK that if they launched the food aid was gone. Sound more like "you can't fire me, I quit" kind of tantrum. So now NK will waste more money setting off a nuke to accomplish what? Because it seems even China has decided enough is enough.

It would be nice to give the food anyway but if NK is willing to break this part of the deal you can assume that the food will be diverted to the party members and the army. The people in the camps are going to starve anyway. Tragic what the dear pudgy pork chop will do to prop up his regime.
0

Kyle SakicApr. 19, 2012 - 03:05AM JST

No doubt, the USA is rattling them.what the US may be trying to do is provoke NK and give justifiable cause to invade and destroy the NK regime. Their problem is china protecting their delinquent little brother nation. I believe between the south koreans and US there is a huge maintainance upkeep for soldiers, food and fortifications. Instead of having a stalemate costing huge maintainance costs quadruple the military presence, prepare for war and intrest china in a land grab, china would need to natioanally denounce NK giving jusifiable reasons, even through provokation. The two armies could gather intelligence and blitz NK leaving a smokey trail. Give china half or all of NK, and be done with it. Why spend the next century shelling out maintainance costs because some psycopathic family claims to be godsends. Their nuts. Crack em open.
0

issa1Apr. 19, 2012 - 03:21AM JST

What will they do? Launching another rocket toy,that's it!
-1

issa1Apr. 19, 2012 - 03:22AM JST

Poor creatures!
5

TigermothIIApr. 19, 2012 - 03:44AM JST

Then again Americans can do all sorts of mental twists, saying the dropping of the atomic bombs was a good thing. They killed untold numbers of innocent civilians to protect their troops.

You seem to forget that we are under no imperative to give aid in the form of food to begin with. When any country - the US included - decides to give foreign humanitarian aid then yes, that's a great thing. But to imply that we are evil for ceasing this aid to a nation not friendly to us is rather stupid. Quite literally you don't bite the hand that feeds you.
-3

YuriOtaniApr. 19, 2012 - 05:32AM JST

TigermothII, the Peoples Republic is not made up of dogs. I sense a power struggle and the Americans are going to ensure the right wing types win it. Giving them food would of eased tensions. Making them nervous is leading to war. This too has happened before with Americans. It is feeding their paranoia and distrust, like Japan 70 years before they may only see war as the solution to their problems.
3

sfjp330Apr. 19, 2012 - 06:09AM JST

YuriOtaniApr. 19, 2012 - 05:32AM JST. the Peoples Republic is not made up of dogs. I sense a power struggle and the Americans are going to ensure the right wing types win it. Giving them food would of eased tensions.

NK is a sovereign country, and if NK reportly spent $850 million on the rocket launch, over $300 million on century celebration, and $37 million for statue for their previous two leaders, they should not beg for food. NK could buy alot of food for well over billion dollars spent on things they don't need. That is their problem. If the NK leaders are that foolish, leave them alone.
1

Elbuda MexicanoApr. 19, 2012 - 06:32AM JST

Help them out and they do their missiles, do not help them out and they vow retaliation?? North Korea can go to HELL!!
-1

YuriOtaniApr. 19, 2012 - 06:47AM JST

sfjp330, where did these numbers come from? So other countries would accept their money? There are 3 currencies, one for residents, one for visitors from socialist countries and one for visitors from capitalists. Lastly there is no way it cost that much in US currency.

Elbuda Mexicano, my you are a harsh one. North Korea is made up of the upper party members, the lower party members and residents. The ONLY thing withholding food will do is hurt powerless residents. Perhaps starve a million or 2 to death. The party members will get their tucker.
0

sfjp330Apr. 19, 2012 - 07:03AM JST

Yuri, the amount of money in equivilent U.S. dolars spent by NK for the above mentioned subject was reported by CNN.

Here is a quote from CNN:

(CNN) – The cost of Friday’s failed rocket launch by North Korea is estimated by South Korean intelligence officials at $850 million – nearly enough to feed about 80% of the population of the impoverished nation for a year. The launch site cost $400 million and the rocket and payload cost an additional $450 million, a military official told Yonhap, South Korea’s state-affiliated news agency. Yonhap says the cash could feed 19 million for a year. North Korea has a population of 24.3 million in 2010, according to the World Bank.
0

NessieApr. 19, 2012 - 07:25AM JST

launching another long-range missile

"Another"?
0

NessieApr. 19, 2012 - 07:33AM JST

N Korea is vowing to turn the sea into a sea of fire.
0

Bgood41Apr. 19, 2012 - 07:55AM JST

North Koreans mass are the victims, and their leaders are the abusers. They have been brainwashed to worship dear leaders as infallible persons. These lunatics will stop at nothing to maintain their benefits and tight grip on others, thus running the country as a mafia regime. Here is the reality: appease the bully, and he will go on bullying; pay ransom to kidnappers, and you will get more kidnapping. Show weakness, and you will face more aggression. As long as China and Russia are using NK as their buffer zones, there will be little hope for the victims (the mass). This vicious cycle will continue till an internal uprising or awakening by the mass from heavy dose of brainwashing over the years. Shame to those who rally to support the abusers.
-2

YuriOtaniApr. 19, 2012 - 10:13AM JST

So the Peoples Republic spent 800 million in foreign currency to build it? I do not believe they have that much and would Cargill accept their paper money as payment? Do you really think they can sell that much of their money on the open market? The answer is not a chance! Thus their buying enough food for 19 million is nonsense.
-2

YuriOtaniApr. 19, 2012 - 10:16AM JST

Bgood4, do not support the People Republic government but support the feeding of starving people. If giving a little of support to their government saves millions of people it is worthwhile. I am for feeding the people and leaving out propaganda.
0

GurukunApr. 19, 2012 - 10:28AM JST

Yawn,,,,,Bring it on, New NKorea Pork Chop. Let's see what you are made of. The international community is tired of your childlike tirades. Hell, I'm tired of all the crap coming out of the NKorea joke for a gov't. I'll be happy to go knock the fat of Kim Jong Porkee!
-4

just-a-bigguyApr. 19, 2012 - 01:29PM JST

America should apologies to North Korea for breaking her promises! America using stravations as a weapon to murder the people of North Korea is definately 'despicable'!
0

Ben JackApr. 19, 2012 - 02:08PM JST

America should apologies to North Korea for breaking her promises!

Why should the US apologize for NK breaking their promises?
1

Ben JackApr. 19, 2012 - 02:11PM JST

I am for feeding the people and leaving out propaganda.

Sadly, giving food to NK mostly means feeding the government and the military, and not the people that actually need it.
2

GurukunApr. 19, 2012 - 03:04PM JST

America using stravations as a weapon to murder the people of North Korea is definately 'despicable'!

What is despicable, is that Kim Fat Un is murdering his own people by starvation, not the US.
-1

YuriOtaniApr. 20, 2012 - 12:13AM JST

My last comment is those who deny mercy will be deprived of mercy. So when you get to St Peter and your name is not in the book of life, you did it to yourself.

Gurukun, making excuses for the US bad behavior does not work. The food should of been given without conditions. There is a plan to see the hungry get the food. The satellite launch was a test of the young Leader. He has to live within the reality of politics within his country.
0

WilliBApr. 20, 2012 - 12:13AM JST

One has to marvel of the absurdity of this. A country that builds nuclear weapons and rockets, and yet expects food aid for its starving population. And when the food aid is restricted because of its aggressive rocketeering, they "threaten revenge".

Talk about chuzpah! Yet, vis-a-vis the spineless Western politicians and our politically-correct media opion makers, this continues to work...
0

GurukunApr. 20, 2012 - 08:00AM JST

He has to live within the reality of politics within his country.

Yuri, he has to live with the thought that are are human beings that are dying in his own country due to starvation. No country, including the US, want these people to starve. But if NKorea cant play be the rules, then he needs to find a way to feed his people. The 800 million dollars should have not been spent on a missle, rocket, or whatever you want to call it, before spending it on a way to feed his people. NKorea are the one's making excuses. NKorea is the one killing NKoreans. There are many countries that are waiting to gine aid to NKorea. All they need to do is to stop acting like little children. That's it. So simple.
0

GurukunApr. 20, 2012 - 11:21AM JST

Yuri, one more thing...If I may add. What would be the excuses for NKorea's bad behavior. Whay is thier excuse for shooting Ballistic missles over Japan in few years ago? What is thier excuse for performing atomoc tests?...all of which were condemned by the International community? Why should the US give NKorea food when NKorea has spent so much money that could have been used to feed thier own?
-1

NetNinjaApr. 20, 2012 - 12:12PM JST

@YuriOtani You said something that really hit home for me. Although we disagree on so many different things it's always magical when we find those common threads. You said the U.S. should have given that food to N.K without conditions and I fully agree with you.

Especially when you consider that the U.S. has a foundation of Christianity in it's laws. We should have given that food without hesitation. Not for North Korea but for who we are as people at the end of the day. Some people are convinced that all the people in NK are tuned in and nobody absolutely nobody defies the government.

I do not believe that is the case. There are always people in any country who can't find it in themselves to look away. They see a hungry family and the support just comes out of them. The government may allow some things to rot or try to control all the food. That may very well be so but I refuse to believe that every single human being over there is spitting on the starving masses.

Without hesitation I can tell all of you that every single developed nation that we know of does exactly what we accuse NK of. Not feeding their people, not taking care of their people. If I can find a ghetto in your nation then guess what. You aren't getting either money or food to your people. Every country!!!

With that said, I go back to YuriOtani's statement. At the end of the day, we will be alone with our box full of past decisions. Those decisions say a lot about who we are and were. I disagree with NK on a countless number of things. Maybe about the same amount of things I disagree with Hoserfella about. But if he posts that he needs help, I'd go help him cause I know in doing so, I'll help myself. After he's full we can back to bickering over petty things.
0

GurukunApr. 20, 2012 - 12:39PM JST

That may very well be so but I refuse to believe that every single human being over there is spitting on the starving masses.

Of course not. The miliatary, the people in Pyongyang and that Fat-ass of a leader are the only ones eating over there.
0

GurukunApr. 20, 2012 - 01:22PM JST

I can tell all of you that every single developed nation that we know of does exactly what we accuse NK of.

You know a country that brainwashes the whole country? Have you seen what they say on NKorean TV? Or is there TV programming also controlled by the Western Media to lead us to believe that NKorea is not on the same playing field as the rest of the world. Have you ever tried to talk to a NKorean living outside of the country? Have you talked to anybody that has been into the country, other than Pyonyang? Gettos are gettos around the world. There is no way to describe the living conditions out side of Pyongyang. Have you ever seen what NKorea looks like at night in Google Maps? How can you defend and justify this Govt spending so much money on atomic bombs, ballistic missles and a rocket with a piece of crap sattelite that was going do nothing for NKorea. (if it was a real sattelite), instead of spending it on ways to get heat and food to its people?
0

BessonovYanApr. 21, 2012 - 04:51AM JST

I am interesting so Japan would not buy weapons from USA, how long time USA would use food provocation to NK? I suppose that USA need nuclear test in NK for more best sell own weapons to Japan and SK.

Also really if NK can not get food then risk of war will be more. When SK and Japanese politics will be more moral and responsibility? Why SK and Japan can not send food help to NK?
0

noriyosan73Apr. 21, 2012 - 12:19PM JST

We are so hungry in NK, we could eat a tank. Do you want that with fried missiles? China needs to feed that which it created. Nobody wants to take the food from the mouths of the children, but Un could miss a few meals. It is such a sad situation for the children of the world.
0

BessonovYanApr. 21, 2012 - 03:02PM JST

@noriyosan73Apr. 21, 2012 - 12:19PM JST

We are so hungry in NK, we could eat a tank.

Why you wild?

China needs to feed that which it created.

Japan had been attack Korea and divide it. So nuclear NK is reflection from past Japanese politic.
0

Tuntematon SotilasApr. 22, 2012 - 03:04AM JST

@Bgood41

I agree completely.
0

Zach OdleApr. 22, 2012 - 10:16AM JST

why does america have to feed them have china feed them
-1

ScroteApr. 22, 2012 - 04:46PM JST

I would have nothing more to do with North Korea: no trade, no meetings, no food aid or anything else. If they launch an attack, respond with 1000 times the force. If the North Korean people want change they can start by stringing up their leaders from lampposts. Then it will be time to talk. Until then, leave them to their juche paradise.
2

kitzrowApr. 22, 2012 - 06:19PM JST

Once again reading this kind of story makes me feel sad. Years ago I had a medical emergency while visiting Seoul and the doctor who helped me always comes to mind when I read about unification or anything about N. Korea this or N. Korea that . . . You see, he was born in N. Korea and raised in S. Korea. Consider himself lucky if you may, On subsequent trips to S. Korea we always met. He was caring and insightful and we indeed talked about his homeland and only one he could remember as a child.. He became a good friend!

But one cold, winter morning I received notice that he had passed away. I was very sad. Four months later I was able to find the time to pay my respects to him. I was taken to a small town only a stone throw from S. Korea called Paju. It is here he was laid to rest and I was able to pay my last respects to a man who taught me so much. He is buried in a hillside grave site where I believe the people who have been laid to rest there are all Koreans born in N. Korea and raised in Seoul. It is a mammoth grave site and beautifully displayed.

I will never forget when I found out that on his grave stone .... he wrote in part: "All I would like one day is to see North Korea and South Korea become one once again. I truly want that for all Korean people."

And so reading this story once again brought back memories of a doctor who helped me, talked to me and listened to me and I can truly call him a friend! I also in my lifetime would love to see the two divided countries become one. I think for the most part we could all agree. Apologies if I am off topic at all, but written from my heart!
-2

just-a-bigguyApr. 23, 2012 - 01:09AM JST

Now the US secretay of defense has discovered the North Korean's mobile ballistic missile launcher : tactical erecting launcher(TEL) was actually designed and made in China. The North Korean missiles were loaded,transported and launched from a Chinese made TEL! Sure that is a violation of international laws...but China shall never regrets or apologise not evenm has to explain at all! The US government and Pentagon were rin by foold and a stab in back is essential to remind them heavy price has to pay if attacks North Korea! China is definately protecting her ally at all cost!
0

Kyle SakicMay. 09, 2012 - 06:11AM JST

I would gladely feed my neighbour if he had no food, japanese people if they were hit by a tsunami, my enemies; enemiesbut not north korea. Anymore then I would feed a bent cult group. North korea does not need to follow our religions or our democracy, but they do need to change their approch with us. It would be a lesson to them that they cannot abide by their secretism and invest in their military craziness. While we float the bill for their people. Their people which are treaded by nk as human cattle. I would not feed and house a thief or a drunk. More then once or twice if the their or drunk did not want change. America should do their provocation and if it came to war nuke the army sadely. The one thing that could save nk is their nuclear missle campain. Which I think though it looked like a failure was most likely a succes, giving the world less confidence in their progress then they themselves may know they have made. As a conspiracy