U.S., South Korea discuss N Korea's nuclear, missile threat

We have existed for more than sixty years in a world where the use of nuclear weapons has been unthinkable because of MAD. A few more players hasn't changed that. The probability that N. Korea (or Iran) would use a nuclear weapon if they had one, is near zero. Their leaders might be fanatics, but they are not stupid.

@Joe

Agree re Iran, that's an ancient society with a proud history and self-respect.

North Korea, (not pre-war "Korea") on the other hand is run by lunatics, maybe not stupid, but utterly mad, which is worse.

To resume the six party talks, would be a more constructive effort for all concerned parties. The last six party talks lasted six years 2003-2009 so dialogue of a peaceful nature is more meaningful, involving all six nations, rather than the US dictating their foreign policies on Japan and Korea. Talks without China and Russia round the table is an insult to them, but then the US knows this.

Thanks, China, for al lyour support of North Korea over the decades.

Irks me that nobody has the balls to light NK up as a stern warning. All you here is sanctions, sanctions, sanctions...blah blah blah. Either place the strictest sanctions on NK or, blow that new launch pad to hell to let fat ass know the world isn't playing anymore.

CrazyJoe

Each nation that has the bomb only makes it more probable a nuke will be used.

Its just math.

One more thing: nukes help the little countries resist the big strong ones. 'Cuase nukes are cheap. You really get a big bang for your buck, defense-wise. Not offense-wise, but defense wise.

That is why the strong do not want the weak to have them. That allows the weak to punch back. Real hard.

N. Korea may have nuclear, what ever. It is most unlikely that they will use it. They know they face annihilation if they even tried.

The question is WHY is Kim and N.Korea is doing so much to get attention even with their extremely frail economic condition and precarious relationship with China and Russia?

Why is N. Korea even "acting" to threaten S. Korea?

The worst part is WHY is USA getting involved NOW?

Obviously there is much more to this meeting than what is being released to the press.

I for one, think that N. Korea FINALLY got their wish to have USA "intervene" or at least show its presence on the Korean peninsula. Kim as young as he is is not fanatical, he is well educated, well traveled and probably very much aware of the URGENCY of world involvement in "containing" China and Russia. Both countries want the Korean peninsula. Both countries, especially China can just "walk" several kilometers and actually occupy then take over both N. and S. Korea.

Probably Australia and Japan had known this for a long time and was forced to make the kind of moves that opened the door for USA to show its face... finally... on the Korean peninsula. Japan had to change their Constitution and stance and Australia had to sound out "before" the USA that is actually very friendly with China (under Obama at least) was given the excuse to meet with S. Korea. The real problem is China... and every Asian country knows that.

In my world all nukes would be banned but the real world the fewer the better and that goes for nations also.

And to remind an above post the Cuban missile crisis, nuclear use was very close. It absolutely was "thinkable".

One must also remember that the "real" discussions in these type of meetings are not ON the table facing each other but what is being exchanged among the staff that accompany the leaders. Much has to be exchanged "directly" (face-to-face) with thick walls and on site, that cannot be communicated via any other medium or using third parties such as the Ambassadors. It is different from "summits" and officiated meetings.

S Korea has much to "answer" to the USA as to what transpired.....and is about to happen.... as well as the reasons WHY?

Nuclear armaments are of concern not only for S. Korea and the USA, but also China. Any mistake N. Korea makes will definitely affect and hamper their obvious and stated plans for domination in Asia. The last thing they need is a nuclear based war so close by.