Jeff Blankfort speaks with Julian Cho and Huyn Lee of Zoom in Korea about latest developments in the US-No. Korea crisis and how they came about. They explore the history of a relationship that has made the overthrow of the North Korean government by military means an ongoing objective of US foreign policy, regardless of which party is in power in the US, and one that requires imaginative responses on the part of No. Korea.
This explains North Korea's recent successful missile launches and why, unfortunately, they are necessary as the US builds up its military forces in the country and the region in complete disregard of the needs and wishes of the people who would be most victimized should a new war occur,
The introduction by the US of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) they point out, would not provide any defense for the people of Seoul should they be targeted and would cause grave health risks to the people in the areas where THAAD will be placed as well as to their crops. Lee notes that farmers who rarely involve themselves in political struggles are up in arms as a result.
Placing THAAD in So. Korea is seen by China as more of a threat to its sovereignty at a time when the US has also made hostile statements towards its activities, as well.
That this was happening during and despite the protests and court decisions that led to the impeachment of So. Korean president, Park Geun-Hye exemplifies the colonial attitude with which Washington views the country and its people; as an important instrument of US foreign policy in Asia.
They note that opposition party leader, Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party, which is expected to win the election to succeed Park Geun-Hye has called for reviewing THAAD;s placement in the country once it is in power which is why the US has been so anxious to get in place before the election, so as to make it more difficult to get them removed.