タグ: North Korea nuclear

                                 by David Parmer / Tokyo

“Worship of big countries and dependence on foreign forces is the road to national ruin…” (Kim Jong Un, January 1, 2016)

So spoke Kim Jong Un in his New Year 2016 address to the people of North Korea. One wonders what “big country” he had in mind. Not the US, for there is no love lost between the US and the DPRK, so never any worry about “worship” entering that relationship. OK, how about…Russia? No “worship” there either. So what country was Kim referring to? It seems he was talking about China. 

It also seems that Mr. Kim was sending a clear message to China that the relationship is no longer what it was, and will be different in the future.

Any proof? Well, five days after Kim’s speech, on January 6, 2016 the DPRK tested what it referred to as a “hydrogen bomb.” The test came with no warning, and more importantly with no warning to China. There was no courtesy, and no fraternal “heads up,” just a fait-accompli. Mr. Kim’s long-time ally got no more warning than the US, Japan or South Korea. Certainly a signal for the change in relations mentioned above, and at least a sign of disrespect from the young Mr. Kim to his elder socialist neighbor.

So what do you think about this matter? Is there a new era in DPRK-PRC relations? Please let us know what you think.