The Conservative Cave
Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: The Village Idiot on April 28, 2010, 08:01:55 AM
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http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/04/28/2010042801309.html
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's youngest son and the heir apparent Kim Jong-un is already said to be busy amassing his own slush fund. Despite North Korea's dire economic difficulties, Kim Jong-il himself is said to have stashed away between US$200-300 million every year to finance his lavish lifestyle and maintain the party elite's loyalty to him.
With the money, North Korea would be able to import between 400,000 to 600,000 tons of rice, which would be enough to cover half the country's food shortage of 1 million tons of rice per year.
Key departments within the Workers Party are pressuring agencies under their control to offer "loyalty funds" for the successor, a source familiar with North Korean affairs said. "A separate company has been established under the leadership of Kim Jong-un to secretly amass foreign currency."
The source said Kim senior uses his slush fund to finance his expensive tastes, build monuments in his own honor and buy gifts for his loyal aides. Faced with increasing difficulties bolstering his slush funds under international sanctions, the Kim is said to have issued an ultimatum to his top officials in February, saying from now on he would judge their loyalty based on the amount they contribute to the fund.
The North is estimated to have imported more than $100 million worth of high-quality liquor, cars and other luxury goods in 2008. And also on the list are pet dogs, which the Kim family are said to adore. Kim buys dozens of German shepherds, Shih Tzus and other breeds from France and Switzerland every year. He also buys dog food, shampoo and other pet products as well as medical equipment for the dogs and has foreign veterinarians check their health.
excerpt...
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North Korean War Strategy...
Take part of Seoul and call for negotiations!! (Obama would give in to that in a half a second)
http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-is-building-up-military-for-an-attack-2010-4
North Korea has adopted a new war invasion strategy and shifted troop reserves accordingly, according to JoongAng Daily.
The new plan calls for the immediate occupation of part of Seoul, followed by negotiations for a cease-fire. It replaces plans for a Sherman's March-type invasion.
While it could be mere posturing, the plan shows ruthless understanding of the peninsula balance of power. South Korea is too timid to retaliate when attacked. North Korea has a failed economy and wants to move from charity case to parasite.
Donald Kirk makes a similar argument at Asia Times:
South Korea is doing so well economically and living standards are so high that the idea of seeking anything other than rhetorical revenge for the sinking of the Cheonan with a loss of 46 lives on March 26 appears almost unthinkable. Certainly South Korea would get no support for such a venture from its American ally, bogged down in wars in the Middle East and attempting to force South Korean generals reluctantly to believe they should take full command of all forces in the South in the event of a second Korean war.
While South Korea's economy grows at a pace ahead of that of the rest of the industrial world, South Korean military people worry over what they see as the North's alarming new strategy. That is, to chip away at the South Koreans with attacks such as that on the hapless navy corvette in the West or Yellow Sea - and maybe bold quick hits on Seoul and Incheon
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-is-building-up-military-for-an-attack-2010-4#ixzz0mOpuBuFy