The backdrop of the Olympic games has been controversial with the recent threats of Nuclear armament and its missile programs recent success, with it becoming one of, if not the largest political issue facing north america. However as the Olympics are a time of peace and has been shown in the past with a unified Korea team in the 2000, 2004 and 2006 Olympic games, and again this year at the 2018 Olympic games with athletes from both sides of the border competing on one women’s hockey team. However some political unrest has also been experienced, with North Korea threatening the United states for their new sanctions put in place against them. These sanctions included the crack down on a loophole that North Korea used to import refined fuel and exporting raw coal by swapping it between ships. This has inflamed both Russia and China who were both participants of the deal. The conservative politicians of South Korea are also warning the South Korean President to be less flexible with them and to show strength as they begin to commence peace talks. Both sides have stated varying amounts of interest in a unified Korea, however both sides have largely different views in how that should be handled. Liberal South Korean politicians have been told from one of North Korea’s highest ranking men to come to the games, General Kim Yong-Chol, that at the ending of the games there would be chance for communication and meeting between the two nations. This could lead to an agreement of more political freedom for North Korea in exchange for nuclear disarmament and a halt on its research and testing of ICBM missiles. American President Donald Trump has said that “If we can make a deal, it will be a great thing. And if we can’t, something will have to happen”. These threats are fully backed by a possible military mobilization by the US against North Korea as has been threatened through Donald Trump’s controversial tweets to Kim Jong-Un. Besides these uncertain political backgrounds, many view this as a chance to have peaceful discussions with North Korea and avoid a bloody conflict that would cause both of the korean nations loss of life. Especially with Kim Jong-Un sending such important figures as his sister and general who both carry heavy political weight amongst Kim Jong-Un.
I feel that talks between these two countries are among the most important issues being faced in global politics right now, possibly second to the Russian American relations. The constant threat of this rogue nation launching a missile with nuclear capabilities is definitely frightening, the different paths to take to deal with this issue are quite polar in that the diplomatic approach could save millions of lives and possibly elevate North Korea to engage with the world and leave its isolation behind to allow its civilians to lead safer and better lives. The Olympics have become an opening for the world to welcome North Korea as a more developed nation including the respect that comes with that title. This could lead to peaceful talks if both sides agreed to some form of nuclear disarmament or non aggression pact. I believe that this treating of North Korea is the best bet moving forward and should be taken to give them the respect that they are attempting to gain through the development of Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles or its large military motivations. This event also shows the cooperation that North Korea shows to its southern neighbour by allowing its athletes to participate with the south’s, it could just be that North Korea is unlikely to trust America as its tendency to try and overrule smaller countries through larger military and lack of good history make it unlikely that they will trust any political promises or guarantees. I believe and hope that South Korea takes the reins on this political game of chess as North Korea is more likely to trust an equal then they will America. The possible worst that could happen is they follow through on their promise to answer to a military mobilisation with a nuclear warhead missile. I just pray that this interaction is handled in a mature way with the world leaders not treating this as a game of eye for an eye.
I feel that talks between these two countries are among the most important issues being faced in global politics right now, possibly second to the Russian American relations. The constant threat of this rogue nation launching a missile with nuclear capabilities is definitely frightening, the different paths to take to deal with this issue are quite polar in that the diplomatic approach could save millions of lives and possibly elevate North Korea to engage with the world and leave its isolation behind to allow its civilians to lead safer and better lives. The Olympics have become an opening for the world to welcome North Korea as a more developed nation including the respect that comes with that title. This could lead to peaceful talks if both sides agreed to some form of nuclear disarmament or non aggression pact. I believe that this treating of North Korea is the best bet moving forward and should be taken to give them the respect that they are attempting to gain through the development of Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles or its large military motivations. This event also shows the cooperation that North Korea shows to its southern neighbour by allowing its athletes to participate with the south’s, it could just be that North Korea is unlikely to trust America as its tendency to try and overrule smaller countries through larger military and lack of good history make it unlikely that they will trust any political promises or guarantees. I believe and hope that South Korea takes the reins on this political game of chess as North Korea is more likely to trust an equal then they will America. The possible worst that could happen is they follow through on their promise to answer to a military mobilisation with a nuclear warhead missile. I just pray that this interaction is handled in a mature way with the world leaders not treating this as a game of eye for an eye.
Ivanka Trump and general Kim Yong-chol in the same booth cheering at the Olympics.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42975912
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43189691
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/us/politics/trump-north-korea-sanctions.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42975912
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43189691
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/us/politics/trump-north-korea-sanctions.html