Heads Up on North Korea

I have no idea there is virtual silence both the U.S. corporate or people's media, but something seems to be going on with North (and South) Korea. Back at the beginning of September (2007) the U.S. agreed to take North Korea off the list of state sponsors of terrorism list - you know, the "axis of evil." Since then, things have gone seriously down hill.

In January, whatever had happened, North Korea claimed that the U.S. was "plotting a nuclear war." The state media proclaimed:

"Our republic will continue to harden its war deterrent further in response to the US stepping up its nuclear war moves," the editorial said.

This broadside was followed on March 28th with a warning from the U.S. concerning North Korea's missile tests (BBC).

Then a flurry of threats:

3/30/08 North Korea warns South of 'pre-emptive strike'

3/31/08 North Korea snarls as South's sunshine policy fades

Then South Korea waved its own preemptive strike threat.

3/31/08 N Korea 'will turn South to ash'

4/01/08 N Korea hits out at South leader.

Mr Lee (the new President of South Korea) was a US sycophant who was harming stability on the Korean Peninsula, a commentary in Communist Party daily Nodong Sinmun said.

North Korea has been angered by Mr Lee's decision to link economic aid to progress on the nuclear issue.

Last week, it expelled South Korean managers from a joint industrial park.

It also test-fired several short-range missiles off its west coast.

I have no particular analysis to offer, but this seems to deserve much broader coverage than it is getting.