Kayla+S.+-+WD+-+SP12

Kayla Smith War and Diplomacy North Korea shows no signs of backing down from rocket launch

North Korea has built a long-range rocket, alarming many. Their first opportunity to launch the rocket was Thursday, April 12. The rocket was not launched due to bad weather. This being said, Pyongyang didn't call off testing the long-range missile technology. The rocket is now scheduled to launch between 7 a.m. and noon on any day from Friday to Monday. The rocket launch will be against UN policy, which forbade North Korea to make missiles and nuclear weapons. North Korea says the launch is just to send a satellite into space.
 * __Summary__**

The Korean War took place in the early '50s after Korea was split in two-- North Korea and South Korea. North Korea was, and still is, a Communist territory and South Korea is democratic. The UN Security Council resolutions banned North Korea from developing nukes and missiles. Even so, this is North Korea's third attempt to launch a rocket satellite. In 1998 and 2009 North Korea launched satellites into space. There isn't evidence that these rockets even reached space. Maybe the third time's the charm. In 2009, North Korea boycotted the UN Security Council. They wanted to continue their missile and nuclear programs without being forced to disarm. In any case, many countries are on edge with the launch. The United States, being a huge part of the UN (which patrol South Korea), is not seen as a friend in the eyes of North Korea. Americans have been killed before in minor North Korean attacks against South Korea. Could they be targeted again?
 * __Relevance__**

__**Evaluation**__ North Korea claims the rocket they are launching is a satellite that will go into outer space. Is "outer space" the new phrase for "attack a random country?" It would be crazy, but might it be a cover-up? It would be the perfect attack. The element of surprise is vicious. I think many Americans are concerned about the rocket because of 9/11. Every single American is scarred from that horrid day. Every single American is terrified it will happen again. Could America be a target? I think this is unlikely. It would start a war and possibly WWIII. With today's technology, it would be insane. I think most countries can agree that they don't want WWIII to occur. It'd be way too costly. The article says Kim Jong Un has taken over North Korea after his father, Kim Jong Il, passed away in December. They may share very similar names, but do they share the same goals? Kim Jong Un may have different plans than his father. He may want to do something more drastic with the rocket. North Korea claims the rocket is going into space. But this doesn't mean they won't make future rockets that will be heading towards different locations. North Korea obviously has dangerous weapons. The world could feel threatened if the weapons end up in the wrong hands. Actually, they already are in the wrong hands. Best of luck, world! But really, all in all, based on what we've learned in class, I highly doubt North Korea will attack any country. The second they do, the most powerful countries in the world will step in and things will get ugly. North Korea will lose. I think it'd be a stupid move on their part.


 * __Questions__**
 * 1) How do Kim Jong Un's plans differ from his father's?
 * 2) What benefits would North Korea gain from attacking a country with this rocket?
 * 3) Even though North Korea boycotted the UN Security Council, could the UN still act against North Korea?
 * 4) How concerned is our government with the rocket launch?

"North Korea shows no signs of backing down from rocket launch | Fox News." //Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News Videos//. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. .

"UN Security Council." //Mahalo.com//. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. .