North Korean Crisis

The Korean crisis worsens. After the north sank one of their warships, the Pentagon has backed the south and announced that the US will hold anti-submarine and other military exercises with them very soon. The South have frozen all trade with the north, even though they were threatened with retaliation if any sanctions were put in place.

With the backing of the US, President Lee said in a televised program that Seoul would no longer tolerate "any provocative act by the North and will maintain a principle of proactive deterrence". I think that means "Watch it mate". The measures announced by the south were:

. Stopping all inter-Korean trade

. Banning North Korean ships from using their waterways or shortcuts

. Resuming psychological warfare

. Referring the case to the UN

Beijing is the only real friend Korea has these days and their reaction to the crises is critical. Seeing the Americans sailing along happily with the South Koreans on anti-submarine exercises isn't going to bode well with them and it will be interesting to see what their influence will be. The madman from the north needs his wings clipping badly, let's hope China, as their closest ally, can bring some common sense to the situation. The North depends on South Korea and China for up to 80% of its trade and 35% of its GDP.

To suggest that the situation is grave, is a gross understatement.