This has got my news searching into a higher gear. Thank-you.
There is not much that can be done that isn't ratcheting on the issue of missiles, nukes, and chemicals by North Korea.
South Korea and Japan, as targets, sit poorly defended in the ring as two fighters jump about for wants of something. The South Korean economy, much for social and political reasons, has slowed their military development and made it less capable of handling North Korean missiles. And, the next elected president will most likely take a less conservative path by wanting to use diplomacy and to put increased funding into social programs. That being said, their need for American leadership and military defenses have increased.
Japan, only in the last year or so, has made some political changes to move away from defense-only capabilities; much of it brought on by China's pushing outward to the east and southeast for influence and control.
Back in 2013 & 2014, while negotiations and implementations were occurring, it was strongly suspected that Libya hid chemical weapons. (just a note)
Coming back to North Korea, they ARE developing their missiles ranges, mobile launch capabilities from hidden sites, submarine launch abilities, and nuclear warhead development even towards a thermonuclear bomb. And, that capability, along with numbers grows. Easily, they are projected to be the next country to use a nuclear-based weapon.
China has their "elections" process coming up this fall and that plays a role, too. They really don't want a North Korea issue, especially this year. As they relate to North Korea, there are black and grey markets along the Chinese side of the border. They do provide jobs, permit factories to operate at very low North Korean wages and their is minimal crime. China does not want to be a target, either. If North Korea collapses, their is belief that China will just move in 20-30 kilometers and establish a security zone. That does not cost the same as having to rebuild an entire country.
Looking back to the independence of eastern European countries, they were in much, much better shape and should not be held in comparison. North Korea is bad off in many ways and whomever has to redevelop it, needs a lot of help over several generations of time.
Each country in the area has their own wants and needs. Kind of a shame that humans are involved.
"Chief of the Watch, take the boat to 200 feet. It will be safer, I hope"
