North Korea has become one of the most discussed countries in the world in recent years due to its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, alarming rhetoric and its antagonistic relations with the US. For these reasons, the question of when the US will invade the country has been asked with increasing curiosity and concern, as the world watches with trepidation what will happen in this provocative situation.
The US has long been vocal about its desire to see a denuclearised North Korea. But will the US go beyond that to actually invade the country? It is a highly controversial topic, with people both for and against the idea being heard. Such a move would carry with it many consequences, including a potentially full-scale war in the region.
One of the main considerations is whether or not such an invasion would be legal. Inside the US there is a general consensus that the US is within its legal rights to invade North Korea, but with the North maintaining their nuclear and ballistic missile tests, there are a number of concerned countries around the world voicing their worry that such a move could trigger a massive conflict.
From an ethical standpoint, many objections to an invasion exist. Charles K. Armstrong, Professor of Korean Studies at Columbia University, believes that the US must approach North Korea with “diplomacy, engagement, and dialogue” rather than with threats or invasion. He explains that any military action would be “immoral and illegal”, and be “disastrous for the region, the American people and the world.”
Military analysts have pointed to the surprising lack of resources in North Korea, both in terms of manpower and equipment. This means that any invasion would be a complicated operation, because the country is well-fortified and would require a devastating use of force to achieve victory. Furthermore, a number of US allies in the region have urged diplomatic methods be employed first before any kind of military action is taken.
These considerations make it unlikely that the US will opt to invade North Korea any time soon. However, it cannot be ruled out entirely, as the US is determined to make North Korea give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. It is likely that in the near future, the US will continue to put pressure on the country economically and diplomatically in the hope of averting military action.
The North Korean Economy
North Korea has one of the most isolated economies in the world. It operates under a centrally planned system and relies heavily on its own resources. In recent years, the country’s economy has been stagnating due to a lack of investment, a severe drought and wide-ranging United Nations sanctions.
The country is heavily reliant on China for trade, and recently there have been reports of unprecedented economic cooperation between the two states. Despite this, the economy struggles to sustain even basic needs for its citizens, such as food and energy. The situation is further compounded by a lack of investment and technology, a heavily suppressed labour force and the costly expense of nuclear and ballistic missile tests.
The impact of an invasion on the North Korean economy could be devastating, causing the already fragile state to collapse even further. It is unclear what course of action the US would take in the event of an invasion, but it is likely that the US would try to impose its own economic model, as it has in other military interventions.
US government officials have remained tight lipped on the potential invasion, but many experts believe that the US would opt for a strategy similar to the one adopted in Iraq, where the US focused on rebuilding the economy after the invasion. This would involve a rapid dismantling of the existing economic structure and the implementation of a new system in order to establish a functioning economy.
International Response
The international community has been vocal in its opposition to any kind of military intervention by the US in North Korea. Many countries, such as China and Russia, have expressed their reluctance towards the idea, urging for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and for diplomatic solutions to be put forward instead.
The UN is firmly opposed to an invasion and has consistently reiterated the importance of dialogue. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated that “the solution to North Korea must be political, not military” and has warned of the potential disaster that an invasion could cause.
The European Union has also expressed its rejection of a military intervention. The EU has long recognised the human rights abuses in the country, but has urged for a peaceful and negotiated solution, which it believes is the only viable path for the resolution of the nuclear crisis.
Other nations around the world have also expressed strong disapproval of an invasion. The leaders of India and Japan have both spoken out against the idea, and South Korea, which borders the North, has been particularly vocal in its condemnation of any potential military action.
Global Opinion
The offical stance of governments is important, but not necessarily reflective of the opinions of their people. Citizens around the world are speaking up with many taking to social media to express their opinions. There is a range of opinions, but a general trend of fear and worry is noticeable among many of the responses.
Many have spoken of the horrible casualties that such an invasion would cause and the devastating impact it would have on the region. Others have expressed their anger at what they see as a complete disregard for diplomacy and the lack of focus on finding a peaceful solution. People have also raised awareness for the human rights abuses already occurring in North Korea and the dangers of such an operation further exacerbating the human suffering.
It is clear from the responses to the idea of an invasion of North Korea that no matter what the legal arguments may be, a large part of the world has weighed in with a moral judgement: that any invasion of North Korea is wrong.
The Future of US-North Korea Relations
It is impossible to predict with any degree of certainty what the future holds for US-North Korean relations. However, what is clear is that both sides need to move away from rhetoric and towards genuine diplomacy in order to find a lasting peace.
The US needs to approach North Korea with the understanding that it is a sovereign nation and deserves to be treated as such. All sides must make an effort to promote dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
A military intervention is not the answer to the crisis and will only cause further suffering and instability in the region. This is why the world is calling for a diplomatic approach and urging the US to focus on finding a peaceful solution.
The US must recognise that the North Korean government is a legitimate state and must be treated as such. Any negotiations must recognise the distinctions between the two sides and strive to address the issues diplomatically and without the threat of military action.
North Korean People
At the heart of this conflict are the people of North Korea. Any potential invasion would have a devastating and lasting effect on the citizens, forcing them to flee their homes, leaving their families and facing an uncertain future.
The US needs to take the North Korean people into consideration before making any kind of military intervention. A military action is only likely to further victimize them and further entrench the existing human rights abuses.
The people of North Korea have already suffered through decades of oppression and it is essential that the US seeks a peaceful resolution, so as to not add to the nation’s woes and offer the inhabitants a better future.
Ultimately, the US must see North Korea as an equal partner and seek a negotiated solution that focuses on safeguarding the rights of the North Korean people. The US must respect the sovereignty of the country and work towards a lasting peace, free from the threat of military occupation.
