North Korea is considered to be one of the world’s most enigmatic countries.The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a nation closed off from the rest of the world, with little knowledge available on their inner workings, beliefs and intents. To many, North Korea is an ominous, war-mongering force with an overarching goal to challenge American,and western powers on the global stage.Generally,so why does North Korea want to attack the United States?
The first, underlying reason North Korea desires to attack the United States is the United States’ long-standing partnership with South Korea and its support for South Korea’s foreign policy. Since the end of the Korean War, relations between South Korea and North Korea have been strained, with much of the tension driven by the two countries that most heavily support each nation: the United States and China. The United States has traditionally backed South Korea, providing financial, militaristic and political support, while North Korea has been dedicated to reunification of the two Koreas under a unified, socialist government. As such, North Korea has long held animosity towards the United States and its policy of backing South Korea’s right to sovereignty.
Further, North Korea is in the habit of relying heavily on militaristic showmanship to project its power; by attacking the United States, it would send a powerful message to the rest of the world that North Korea is a force to be reckoned with. This would also boost the morale of North Koreans, who currently live in fear for their lives due to the oppressive rule of the dictatorship. By showing the world that North Korea can stand up to the United States, North Korean citizens would feel as if their government is more powerful and thus more secure.
Moreover, North Korea likely hopes to gain from an attack on the United States by engaging in talks and negotiation to ease the pressure.North Korea is a nation of powerful ambition and tenacity, and it has used this to its advantage in the past. For instance, North Korea has often succeeded in achieving its once seemingly unattainable goals, such as the successful development of a nuclear weapons test, through sheer willpower and determination. It stands to reason, then, that North Korea may seek similar results through an attack on the United States, believing that dominating such a powerful nation will bring them bargaining power
Lastly, North Korea may attack the United States to gain greater international recognition. By initiating a war with the United States, North Korea would garner international attention and legitimacy it craves.It is worth noting that North Korea’s primary dictator, Kim Jong-un,seems to take great pleasure in challenging the United States and its foreign policy. It is possible that his end goal is to place North Korea on the global stage as an equal to the United States and other major players, and an attack on the US would certainly grab the world’s attention.
How Do North Korea Intend To Attack Us?
North Korea’s preferred weapon in its desire to attack the United States is nuclear weapons. This has been made clear numerous times in the nation’s rhetoric and military drills, which have often demonstrated its nuclear capabilities. In fact, North Korea has tested several nuclear devices over the years, and its leaders have made it known that the nation is developing nuclear bombs for use against the US and other perceived enemies. This has caused alarm around the globe and has forced nations to take measures to protect themselves from potential North Korean strikes.
Furthermore, North Korea is known to use other offensive tactics, such as cyber attacks and missile launches, to demonstrate its military power. Cyber attacks on South Korean and US websites and infrastructure are a regular occurrence,as are North Korea’s missile launches. North Korea has also been widely suspected of being behind the 2014 cyber attack on Sony Pictures, which disrupted services, leaked employee data and resulted in millions of dollars in damages.
Despite its threatening rhetoric, North Korea is unlikely to actually use its nuclear weapons or call for a full-scale war against the United States. Instead, it is more likely to engage in their typical showmanship tactics, such as launching missiles or staging cyber attacks, to further their goal of achieving international recognition.
Consequences of North Korea Attacking The United States
The consequences of North Korea attacking the United States would be disastrous on both sides. Not only would it strain diplomatic relations,but it could also lead to a full-scale war. This war would likely be devastating, as many experts estimate that North Korea has the capability to cause more than two million casualties in the US, if it were to launch a nuclear attack.
It is also possible that such an attack would result in international condemnation, as the United Nations has already imposed sanctions on North Korea for its past military belligerence. Similarly, the US could deploy forces in a retaliatory attack, as President Donald Trump has vowed to take a hard-line stance against North Korea if necessary.
Lastly, an attack from North Korea could further isolate the nation from the rest of the world, leading to a further decrease in their economic power. North Korea is already an isolated nation, and an attack on the United States could cause the nation to withdraw even further and be even more reclusive.
Ways To Combat North Korea’s Ambitions
The best way to combat North Korea’s ambitions of attacking the United States is to continue to pressure the nation through economic sanctions and diplomatic negotiations. International sanctions have been used to choke North Korea’s economic growth, as well as to discourage the nation from continuing its nuclear weapons development program.
Diplomatic negotiations, though often short-lived, have also been used to ensure that North Korea remains in compliance with international norms. During the Obama administration, Secretary of State John Kerry was at the forefront of this effort, stressing the importance of diplomacy and engagement as the best way to contain North Korea’s aggressive provocations.
Further, the US must continue to remind North Korea of the consequences of any aggressive action. The US must remain engaged and vocal against North Korea’s attempts to attack, showing that any action from North Korea will not be tolerated. The Obama administration’s “strategic patience” policy should be continued, with strong reminders of the consequences that any threat of attack would carry.
Effects On The International Political Order
An attack from North Korea would almost certainly cause other nations to reevaluate their stance on international relations.As a result, many nations would likely take steps to strengthen their defensive measures or take greater steps to contain North Korean aggression depending on the severity of the attack. This could lead to a breakdown in international alliances and worsen the ongoing hostilities between the United States and other major world powers.
In addition, the attack from North Korea could serve to further destabilize the already fragile state of international relations. North Korea’s nuclear ambitions are causing tension around the world, and an attack on the US would only serve to increase this tension. This in turn could lead to other nations, such as China and Russia, intervening in international affairs and increasing their influence in the region.
Lastly, it is possible that an attack from North Korea could further isolate the nation and deteriorate the living conditions of its citizens. If a full-blown war between the two countries were to break out, it would inevitably lead to the deaths of countless North Korean civilians, as well as displacement and loss of property. This would only add to North Korea’s already oppressive rule and lack of civil liberties.
Motives Of The North Korean Government
The North Korean government is unlikely to ever fully disclose its true motives for wanting to attack the United States. However, many experts believe that North Korea likely seeks to gain more international recognition and status on the global stage. North Korea has long been isolated from the rest of the world, and by attacking the United States, they are likely trying to shift the international balance of power in their favor.
It is also possible that North Korea is using its rhetoric and threatening behavior as a bargaining chip. By threatening the United States and other nations, North Korea may be attempting to achieve certain goals, such as getting economic aid or gaining leverage in diplomatic negotiations. In this sense, North Korea’s actions have become an almost predictable pattern of calculated moves that have parlayed into certain gains for the nation.
Furthermore, North Korea may be using its aggressive rhetoric to distract from the nation’s many human rights violations. By creating a “bogeyman” in the United States, North Korea is able to draw international attention away from its own oppressive rule and divert it towards the US and its international policy.
Humanitarian Practices Of North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is renowned for its countless egregious human rights violations and abysmal humanitarian practices. North Korea has been responsible for countless atrocities, ranging from the mass detention of political prisoners to the kidnapping of foreign citizens and the restriction of free speech.
In addition, North Korea is infamous for its suppression of religious and press freedom. The media in North Korea is strictly regulated and there are virtually no outlets to access accurate information on the state of the nation. Furthermore, religious organizations are heavily restricted and practitioners often have to practice their faith in secret.
On top of this, North Korea routinely employs a policy known as “guilt by association” in which citizens can be punished for a family member’s alleged offenses. This has resulted in the imprisonment of countless innocent people and the destruction of many families.
Finally, North Korea’s leaders are known for their pervasive corruption. Kim Jong-un and other North Korean officials line their pockets with money that should be used to help their citizens and rarely work to improve the nation’s humanitarian conditions.
