Seven ways to get serious with North Korea
February 14th, 2013
10:24 AM ET

Seven ways to get serious with North Korea

By Michael Mazza, Special to CNN

Editor’s note: Yesterday, GPS heard from Cato Scholar Doug Bandow, who suggested a hands off response to North Korea’s latest nuclear test. Today, American Enterprise Institute research fellow Michael Mazza suggests a very different response. The views expressed are his own.

Tuesday morning on the Today show, senior Barack Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett asserted that North Korea’s nuclear program “doesn’t strengthen North Korea. It makes it more vulnerable.” If only that were so. While the North’s nuclear weapons do contribute to its international isolation, it’s not at all clear that Pyongyang has any interest in joining the “world community,” as the president so often suggests.

In fact, North Korea’s nuclear achievements have, to date, made it feel less vulnerable. First, they provide leader Kim Jong-un with fodder for domestic propaganda, which may help shore up the regime. Second, and perhaps more importantly, they enhance its nascent nuclear deterrent. Kim and his cronies are already confident they can act with impunity, as they did in carrying out deadly attacks – indeed, what should be seen as acts of war – on South Korea in 2010 with the sinking of the Cheonan naval vessel and the shelling of Yeonpyeong island. As they continue to deploy their own nuclear capabilities, that confidence will surely only grow.

In its January 22 resolution in response to North Korea’s last missile test, the U.N. Security Council conveyed “its determination to take significant action in the event of a further DPRK launch or nuclear test.” The Obama administration may appreciate the Security Council’s good intentions, but it should by now realize that the U.N. body is unlikely to impose measures sufficient to change the thinking in Pyongyang. It’s time for the president to take significant actions of his own.

More from CNN: What now Q&A

Such moves should convince Kim that this latest test makes him less rather than more secure. After all, it is clear he will not alter his behavior unless he is made to regret his actions. But how might the president make Kim reconsider North Korea’s current trajectory?

Here are a few suggestions, some more provocative than others. In all cases, these measures would be more effective when carried out alongside our allies, especially South Korea and Japan.

1. Park an aircraft carrier off the coast of North Korea and engage in regular and sustained bilateral and multilateral naval exercises.

2. Blockade North Korea's busiest ports. Allow nothing but food, medicine, and other essentials into the country.

3. Designate as a “primary money laundering concern” any bank – including those in China and Europe – providing financial services for the North Korean regime. This worked to great effect with Banco Delta Asia in 2005. Treat North Korea as the criminal enterprise that it is.

4. Re-designate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism

5. With satellites and/or stealth aircraft sent into North Korean skies, track Kim Jong-un's movements. Provide any imagery to the press.

6. Pressure governments – including friendly ones – to cease tolerating North Korean front companies operating within their borders, like this one in Taiwan.

7. Work with South Korea to expand broadcasting and other information operations aimed at providing more of North Korea's people with more information about their own country and the outside world.

If we simply “do the usual drill," as Ambassador Susan Rice has put it, the only thing we can be certain of is that we'll be faced with going through the drill again and again in the not-too-distant future. It's time for a new approach to North Korea: one that the Kim regime will actually take seriously.

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Topics: North Korea

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soundoff (313 Responses)
  1. RAJ

    Without deeply understanding crystallized conditioning of N. Korean leadership psyche, nothing can change them. No system operates effectively without finding out why they do have such destructive mentality.

    February 14, 2013 at 10:28 am | Reply
    • 2star

      If one country can has 6,000 active nukes and another 4,000+deactivated nukes (which can be reassemble withing days), how can this country dictate another country from making nukes ???

      If one country that can create pretext wars .... how can this country dictate others from having war mentality ???

      In other words ... students will only respect a good teacher and not a rogue teacher.

      February 14, 2013 at 10:53 am | Reply
      • freebird

        It's ignorant logic like yours is why Iran and N. Korea get away with what they do. The U.S. uses their nuclear weapons as a deterrent. N. Korea and Iran will use them as an aggressor. The only thing those two countries understand is brute force.

        You obviously haven't studied your history. You sound like one of those parasites that want all the benefits of the freedoms we have without while refusing to pay the price of keeping those freedoms. If you don't like the USA, leave.

        February 14, 2013 at 11:08 am |
      • gary

        agreed, couldn't said it better myself

        February 14, 2013 at 11:13 am |
      • Carl Carlsen

        Machiavelli was right on the money when he said: It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. Clearly North Korea and Iran will never love us, so let's give them a little something to fear. Who cares what they think of us, as long as they're not a threat.

        February 14, 2013 at 11:51 am |
      • Bork

        Why is there no mention of assassination missions... ... oh that's right, it's the U.S. and it took how long to remove Saddam Hussein? Take out a few generals and Kim, bomb some radio towers, some good guy propoganda to get the word out to the people of N-Korea and a nice bloody rebellion would start at the very least.

        February 14, 2013 at 11:54 am |
      • Tahir

        @freebird
        You have your logic to keep weapons and others have their logic to keep weapons. In democracy we learn to respect the logic of others also.So follow democracy and dont try to dictate your logic ( which you think is a true logic) like dictators.

        February 14, 2013 at 11:54 am |
      • johneutah

        I feel N korea should be allowed to continue what they are doing, for anyone that says we have nukes as a deterrent, have you forgotten we are the only country who has ever nuked and vaporized entire cities, oh yeah we did it twice.

        February 14, 2013 at 12:10 pm |
      • Kyle C

        Moron.... I guess you didn't see the video put out in North Korea recently that portrays a man dreaming about nuking a US city. If that city is yours im sure you'll change your tune. After all thats the American way. Go hug a tree.

        February 14, 2013 at 1:51 pm |
      • JoshSmith

        @freebird: When was the last time Iran attacked and invaded another country?

        February 14, 2013 at 1:53 pm |
      • woodie

        Because N Korea has an unstable, militaristic government that cannot be trusted. An easy test is to ask if anyone trusts them. Even China does not trust them.

        February 14, 2013 at 2:14 pm |
      • Alan

        Drivel.

        February 14, 2013 at 2:26 pm |
      • Ric

        @ John – First re-read my comment. I indicated North Korea signing a treaty. I did not mean just verbal acceptance of a peace treaty. By signing any contract becomes binding which is most difficult to renege unlike just a verbal acceptance. Second, no peace treaty has ever been offered to North Korea. The West via USA have ONLY offered carrots such as, food aid, access to luxury goods, foreign travel and foreign bank accounts. The real success in this story is if USA can wrestle North Korea out of Chinese control. Clearly, North Korea's bad behavior can only be blamed on China's reluctance to influence North Korea.

        February 14, 2013 at 2:32 pm |
      • j. von hettlingen

        Wow, the author seems to be hawkish. His suggestions were meant to teach North Korea a lesson and coerce the country to change its behaviour. Has he thought about how China would feel to have an American aircraft carrier and military exercises right in front of its nose?

        February 14, 2013 at 4:26 pm |
      • tron777

        China will eventually have to topple the Korean goverment to protect themselves from the nuclear threat.
        they can't sit by and watch the whole area become a nuclear wasteland.

        February 14, 2013 at 5:10 pm |
      • dongsoola

        of course u are right!

        February 14, 2013 at 6:41 pm |
      • KawiMan

        You sound like you're parroting the liberal drivel that so many believe. Go live in North Korea and be a "good" teacher to their citizens.

        February 15, 2013 at 5:21 pm |
      • Brian

        2star, I'm guessing you are a troll, but if not, your post borders on the idiocy rarely encountered in the educated world.

        February 15, 2013 at 7:12 pm |
      • Organic1

        We could always send an empty ICBM just to stick in the courtyard of the NKorea leadership. That might send them the message that it could have been loaded for bear.

        February 17, 2013 at 11:17 am |
      • mel

        I can honstley say reading this list disturbed me, all but number 7. You`re not actively ingaged in war with a country yet you think you have some kind of godly right to close off their ports? Everyone can understand, put out the flame before it burns but that's not the way to go biut it.

        February 17, 2013 at 1:11 pm |
      • Steve Life

        @ JoshSmith, Iran interferes with a lot of countries. The short list being Libya, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, and most other middle east countries and the USA.

        February 17, 2013 at 1:51 pm |
      • Richard

        Discussion time has run out for both North Korea and Iran. It is too obvious that neither country will give in to sanctions or discussion. This policy direction just seems to make the other side hunker down and proceed with their nuclear plans. IMHO, it is time for a very clear ultimatum from the US (and its allies) However if we need to do so on our own, so be it.
        We will most likely be the target of North Korea and/or Iran anyway. The ultimatum: You have 1 week to dismantle, to our complete satisfaction or We Will Do It For You. Period. We don't need boots on the ground to do this. We don't need Israel. We have the capability and the power. The episode with these two "rogue" nations is only the beginning. If we do not act with complete certainty and resolve now we keep the door open for much more difficult and dangerous times ahead.

        February 17, 2013 at 8:28 pm |
      • MSA

        Freebird...really? Read your history. Which is the only country to ever use a nuclear weapon against another country? So we have used them as more than a deterrent before. What would the US do if roles were reversed? Better yet...how would the US react if Iran, North Korea or China parked a carrier or two off our coast? They do what they do because they view the US as hypocrits. We back a country, then we are at war because we feel they need a "regime change". You can't have nukes, but we can have enough to kill the world over many times.

        February 18, 2013 at 3:45 pm |
      • CelestialOne

        "The U.S. uses their nuclear weapons as a deterrent. ?" Rubbish. Yanks are the only ones who dropped nukes on civilian populations not once but twice. Typical drivel. If US wants to provoke NK to another all-out war, then try implementing some of these half-baked suggestions. I am sure the NK would obliged.

        February 21, 2013 at 9:43 pm |
      • Steve Myers

        @freebird:

        "If you don't like the USA, leave."

        Trust me, show me the door, this POS country says I owe child support for 2 non biological children I never knew, only because the woman said I am the father, never signed anything, never knew them, asked for DNA, refused. Now because of that I cant leave, because they SAY i owe child support with no legal recourse at all. This country SUCKS. I would love to leave and throw my passport at some consulate butt however even though a convicted child molester or murderer can leave I CAN NOT.

        Take YOUR ignorance some where else and learn how crappy this country really is.

        February 22, 2013 at 1:37 pm |
      • dan

        your an idiot. please move to north korea

        March 28, 2013 at 4:19 am |
    • Eric

      Invite Kim to Disneyland. Make it simple

      February 14, 2013 at 12:01 pm | Reply
      • Alan

        Did that with Khrushchev, didn't work.

        February 14, 2013 at 2:24 pm |
      • Joe Fattal

        Open a McDonald in North Korea. But make sure they use real beef not human meat.

        February 14, 2013 at 9:50 pm |
      • kiwijack

        Kim Jung Junior will probably enjoy a Six Flags Park much better

        February 15, 2013 at 7:50 am |
    • Ric

      Too much hate in all of you. We should give them a reason why they don’t need to feel insecure. The US should hand them a “Peace Treaty.” If they sign the treaty, then their argument for WMD (defense against a powerful US nation) goes out the door. By removing any of their perceived threats they would then come to the only conclusion and that would be becoming a positive part of the international community. Its’ implausible that North Korea would prefer to stay the same (poor but strong) if they can be given the opportunity to become like South Korea – even if they still choose a dictatorship – just as long as they contribute in a positive way in the international community, i.e., becoming the new spot for cheap non-slave type labor.

      February 14, 2013 at 12:25 pm | Reply
      • john

        boy are you clueless. How many times has the international community tried? the NK government is full of liars. They will tell us whatever we want to hear – then go right ahead and do what they want. I agree with the article – they only understand force so that's what we need to use to solve this problem.

        February 14, 2013 at 12:44 pm |
      • diwwesty

        You assume the people are motivated by what motivates you. Common sense seems appropriate, but they are underinformed of the ways of the rest of the world, insecure, hungry, and have an unpleasant history.

        February 14, 2013 at 2:38 pm |
      • Alan S

        My heavens, Ric, but you're naive. So let's see: we "hand them a peace treaty", and then the North Koreans will be nice? Pet the growling doggie and he won't bite you? Give Hitler the Sudatenland and he won't invade?

        February 14, 2013 at 3:52 pm |
      • Fearless Freep

        North Korea will sign a peace treaty
        when we turn South Korea over to them.
        You North Korea lovers are idiots.

        February 15, 2013 at 7:53 am |
      • Paul

        Ric, aka neville chamberlain, do a little reading and research before you post such drivel. We have tried appeasement . . .many times. That's how we have gotten to the current state of affairs. Do yourself a favor and go see what was offered and agreed to while Clinton and bush were in office . . . Then come back here. People, there are just some governments that are just plain evil. This one in particular is evil and crazy. Bad combo. Might be time for the League of Nations . . . I mean the UN, to man up and actually do something. This is not just a US problem.

        February 15, 2013 at 11:04 am |
    • ogre12

      hard for anyone here to speak smartl about NK if you do not understand what this regime's mindset is all about. The kim clan is all about the dynasty created by the grandfather kim. I mean dynasty no different than dynasties that existed starting with China centuries ago and eventually this mindset filtered into neighboring Korea over the millenia. One only needs to read about Korea's history as well as China's to understand what I mean. Kim and his henchmen are doing nothing more than building upon a new dynasty era started by kim il sung. People outside of NK have no idea of "juke" (self reliance) that is the foundation for this fledgling dynasty's hope of survival. Understanding these principles explains their isolationist mentality. If allowed to grow in economic strength and emerge in the world as a viable world power all hell will break loose. As long as they stay sequestered they pose no real threat for now even with nuclear weapons. The problem the diplomatic community as always had with dealing with these retards is they really do not know how to deal with an Asian country with a "dynasty" concept of themselves. In the long term though they will have to be dealt with through war unfortunately because they will not quit what they are doing...indeed they will increasingly push the wrong buttons.

      February 14, 2013 at 6:40 pm | Reply
      • Ted

        Agree. Kims' main goal is to keep their dictatorial dynasty that is respected in the world.

        February 15, 2013 at 2:12 pm |
      • tomah

        and nobody thought of castrating the Kim boys.....so we won't have KIM IV. End of the Kim dynasty.

        February 16, 2013 at 4:33 am |
      • Journeyman

        They may be a crazy nation, but even they are fully aware of the consequences of boisterous action. They are perfectly aware that using their nuclear weapon will almost certainly see their little country turned into a new Chinese lagoon.

        February 18, 2013 at 10:03 pm |
    • dongsoola

      well.. what part cant you understand?
      US is holding and pointing guns aimed at North Korea and no matter what North Korea do, US refuse to drop it.
      So North Korea is also trying to point guns at US.
      Again what is so hard to understand?

      February 14, 2013 at 6:40 pm | Reply
      • Cantstandstupid

        The U.S. has guns pointed at North Korea? Hmm...that's the first I've heard of this. If we did, can you not understand why? Do you not understand?

        February 15, 2013 at 12:44 pm |
      • Kim Lee Park

        Cantstandignorant: The US has 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea.

        February 18, 2013 at 6:21 am |
      • papabeer

        YOU good sir are a retard. every country is pointing some thing at another country in one way or the other ,be it sanctions or weapons.Or just verbal threats.

        April 2, 2013 at 8:59 pm |
    • Dave

      If North Korea was weak the US would have already bombed them like in Irak and Libya. Kadhafi was so stupid and believed that by getting rid of is nuke program the west would be nice to him. He was dead wrong. North Korea learned well the lesson of Libya and Irak. Be strong and people will leave you alone. There is no other way.

      February 15, 2013 at 12:24 am | Reply
      • NJStylee

        Iraq*

        February 15, 2013 at 2:30 pm |
      • tomah

        ummm....if you are a country with nukes, the US won't politically bullying you around? Oh, now I c. :)

        February 16, 2013 at 4:37 am |
      • papabeer

        Nk is the kid with the stick poking the bigger kids .If they wanted to be left alone they should go home and play in their own yard and leave the neighbors alone

        April 2, 2013 at 9:04 pm |
    • BARBIE Kafka

      I disagree with every one making comments. Kim is so isolated, there is no excuse because he did study in Europe. I think he has been brainwashed by the military . All the countries, ought to agree, to pull him out of North Korea--by inviting him to see the outside world. This would educate him, to see what he is doing. is not correct !! The UN should also invite him. He would see how the countries work together. This would help to have South Korea and North Korea to get a long opening the zone line. Who knows the country would unite as one country with freedom for all,

      February 15, 2013 at 7:06 pm | Reply
      • Angela Birch

        He has seen the west, went to school in the west.
        What you are proposing would be the end of the Kim monarchy. The Kims are absolute dictators in the little pond, they keep their people in servitude by a combination of ignorance and terror. If the ciuntry opens up they will lose their power and almost certainly be executed for their mass murder. These bloody tyrants are dancing as fast as they can just to keep their slaves for another generation. The sad thing is that China and North Korea were pretty much in the same place 60 yeas ago. China has evolved and has opened up and is becoming wealthy and realtively free and is on the way to more freedom without massive bloodshed. North Korea almost certainly will end up with a sudden, abrupt and bloody transition. The question is, will they drag other countries, especially South Korea into their funeral pyre

        February 18, 2013 at 11:20 pm |
      • Endo

        Yes. In a perfect fantasy world that just might work!

        February 19, 2013 at 3:40 pm |
      • N_M

        Angela has it exactly right. Add in a little paranoia (fueled by 'axis of evil' statements by a president who then invaded Iraq under false pretenses) and you have a regime that worries about internal and external threats. What better than a nuclear bomb program – keeps the 'yankee cowboys' at bay, and acts as internal propaganda. Bingo.

        I don't think this is going to end well – I hope I'm wrong, but if there is an internal uprising I think they leadership will try to cast it as 'external forces corrupting the purity of the people' and try to drum up patriotic spirit with an attack on S. Korea. Then things could go seriously downhill from a nuclear perspective. As I said, I hope I'm wrong.

        March 2, 2013 at 10:37 am |
    • Dr. Weisschmidt

      We know exactly the "Korean" mindset and psyche. Please, do not underestimate the danger Koreans pose to world peace. South and North Koreans work together, with clearly defined roles, and with only one goal in mind: "how to penetrate the West and how to destroy as many Westerners and Americans, as they possibly can". That's why we clearly call for: 1. import limits on South Korean products (kia, samsung, daewoo, hyundai, ...). 2. No business with North Korea.

      February 16, 2013 at 2:26 pm | Reply
      • Kenny

        What kind of a government would allow it's own people dying?
        Clearly not South Koreans.
        What about yours?

        February 17, 2013 at 5:40 am |
    • Tim Rigney

      I disagree. They want something from us they should ASK for it. The 100-pound begger shouldn't be walking up to the 500-pound bench-pressing weightlifter, slapping his face and then asking for a handout. I don't see any point in our playing their game. They're playing us like putty.

      February 18, 2013 at 12:20 am | Reply
    • calgo

      Probably the best things to do with North Korea and Iran Is constant economic pressures and increased reaching out to thier people to change thier leadership in order to enjoy a life that they choose for themselves because occupation is not an option for Iran who has a population of 80 million plus people and we already know that China doesn't want to let us influence politics in the region if they can help it. We already been through that before. It was called the Korean Conflict.

      February 18, 2013 at 2:02 am | Reply
      • Angela Birch

        Can't reach out to the North Koreans, they are kept in isolation. They don't have a prayer of changing their government.

        February 18, 2013 at 11:39 pm |
    • Skyeview

      These has been the legacy of KIm's formula towards a domineering cult-like leadership passed down from father to son and their sons: "Show the world that you are not afraid to be defiant, do things that others backed down and you will become a hero in your own rights with other countries to either choose you as the worst enemy or the greatest alliance. That my son is why China will never abandon us. Because we are their key ally against the West."

      KJU: "Cool, dad. Who are your greatest mentor..?"
      KJI: "Some from your grandfather but mostly from hollywood movies like Terminator, Pearl Harbor and oh, Iron Man"
      KJU: "Yeah, i realized they often portray heroism and saving the world"
      KJI: "Yes, with greater power lies greater responsibility"
      KJU: "Wrong, with greater power lies greater sovereignty. Nobody messes with Superman"
      KJI: "I believe you will make a great leader my son. Now each year, i want you to add more fire power to your weapons. Sharpen your sword and remember, Carpe Diem"
      KJU: "Yes, seize the day to prepare for that one day"
      KJI: "Which is?"
      KJU: "When the giants are grouping to fight against us, we are powerless. But there will be a time when giants fights among themselves...that is where we move in to conquer and conquest"
      KJI: "Correct, my superior son"
      KJU: "When do you think that will happen dad?"
      KJI: "Unfortunately, not in your life time...but never hurt to dream right?"
      KJU: "errrr...yes. In fact, i will make a tape of about that...."

      February 21, 2013 at 8:40 pm | Reply
  2. Danzil, l

    I like number 5! That should scare the snake....

    February 14, 2013 at 10:50 am | Reply
  3. jimeh

    Unfortunately Mazza's analysis is what passes for conventional wisdom in the punditocracy. The real threat of North Korea is not that a strong regime will launch an offensive against South Korea. The real threat is that the government will destabilize, leading the current ruling clique to launch an external attacks to shore up domestic support, or in fact leading to a general breakdown in government, which could endanger the lives of millions of North Koreans (many of whom are family relations to S Koreans) and send them spilling across the border.

    Therefore the primary objective is to keep N. Korea stable, and only secondarily, improve it's international behaviour. Mr. Mazza's policy objectives are in fact the exact opposite of that, and his, frankly, idiotic suggestions are a recipe for disaster.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:10 am | Reply
    • Kevin

      They've never BEEN a strong regime. They can't even feed themselves. Think less of an outside aggressor destabilizing the North by an attack and more of the North snapping because we didn't give them supplies. Its only a matter of time before they collapse as they cannot take care of themselves. Be it tomorrow or in 10 years, I'd rather them not have nukes when it happens.

      February 14, 2013 at 11:18 am | Reply
    • O'Brien

      We have a strong military but our economy is still recovering. We have a huge debt to China. North Korea is a client state of China. These facts limit our options. We need to be strong and vigilant but not reckless. We have to be prepared for trouble in many parts of the world. Now is not the time to do something foolish.

      February 14, 2013 at 12:26 pm | Reply
  4. Buckley

    China is the essential player in this. The US can only increase the pressure if China is on board. If the US and China link arms to solve this, we can solve this.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:10 am | Reply
    • JJ

      But, US and China are not friends.

      February 14, 2013 at 11:19 am | Reply
      • Whatever

        They will agree to work together to stop NK nuke capabilities, if we are not too proud to do it China's way that is.

        February 14, 2013 at 8:52 pm |
  5. 2star

    freebird,

    One don't need 6,000 active nukes and another 4,000+ deactivated nukes to act deterrent.

    10,000 + active nukes can fried our world few times over. North Korea and Iran want only a few nukes ... for self protection. So what is actually acting as an aggressor ????

    February 14, 2013 at 11:15 am | Reply
    • Estorapi

      Yeah exactly the US loves to send nuclear weapons without knowing to whom they go. The best thing would be if all countries had nuclear weapons so that we can all die.

      February 19, 2013 at 8:50 am | Reply
    • Endo

      2star : Are you by chance from North Korea or did you just fall on your head?

      February 19, 2013 at 3:43 pm | Reply
  6. 2star

    2star
    freebird,

    One don't need 6,000 active nukes and another 4,000+ deactivated nukes to act deterrent.

    10,000 + active nukes can fried our world few times over. North Korea and Iran want only a few nukes ... for self protection. So WHO is actually acting as an aggressor ????

    February 14, 2013 at 11:16 am | Reply
    • Wow

      2star....those nukes "10,000+ active nukes" are exactly what kept us from being blasted to kingdom come during the Cold War, and vice versa for what was the USSR. Mutually assured destruction, nothing else. Sounds like a deterrent to me. Also, even with the massive amount of nukes we have, it's safe to say that NO ONE here wants to see the damn things go off. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for NK.

      February 14, 2013 at 11:47 am | Reply
      • 2star

        How can be sure that NK nukes will goes off and not US ??? Don't you know US has been threatening others with nukes. Don't you know that it was US threats that made China to develop nukes ??? Read history.

        February 14, 2013 at 12:19 pm |
      • Anthony

        @2Star I am guessing you live in a recluse place where they feed you propaganda? (Is that you Kim?)

        I have seen NOTHING come from the U.S. threatening the use of Nukes against NK UNTIL they released a video showing a Korean dreaming of a nuked U.S. city and then verbally stating threats against the U.S.

        February 16, 2013 at 10:13 am |
    • Alan

      A nuclear weapon allows North Korea to hold at risk several regional Asian capitals such as Seoul and Tokyo. At best the North Korean nuclear force (should it actually exist in a deliverable form, which at this moment seems unlikely) is almost certainly a countervalue tool, not counterforce. This would allow the North Korean government to, in essence, play a game of nuclear blackmail against it's regional neighbors. The fact that Seoul and Tokyo are both under the US nuclear umbrella may not, and probably would not mitigate this risk as it is unlikely that China and Russia would stand by and condone a US nuclear response, even should North Korea initiate first use.

      A nuclear armed North Korea greatly increases instability as it drives others countries to consider fielding nuclear forces of their own in response to a perceived North Korean threat. A safer world is a world that does not tolerate nuclear proliferation. And circular and immature arguments such as "well the US has them why shouldn't they?" are foolish at best and show the level of misunderstanding most Americans have in regard to geopolitics.

      February 14, 2013 at 2:56 pm | Reply
      • Bill39

        Good statement of the problem. Any suggestions on what to do about it? Any assessments of Mazza's ideas?

        February 17, 2013 at 11:00 am |
    • Estorapi

      Exactlly the US is always saying that they are going to bomb India with Nuclear weapons didn't you see how they threatened Spain and Cambodia and Easter Islan. They give the out like candy to all their friends... you should see the Made in America Plutonium Blankets that the send you guys in North Korea

      February 19, 2013 at 8:52 am | Reply
      • papabeer

        you are highly miss informed on a lot of the statements you make .give us some thing to show where we americans threatened India with a nuke.Im from the US where are you from??

        April 2, 2013 at 9:21 pm |
  7. Patrick

    This article is the most pretentious thing I have read in weeks... these suggestions entail war.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:17 am | Reply
    • sfobear

      Oh and threatening the U.S. with a Nuclear strike on our soil is not?

      February 14, 2013 at 11:35 am | Reply
  8. Pierre Lehu

    Threaten to give S Korea 2 working nukes every time N. Korea tests 1 of theirs. That should make them think twice.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:17 am | Reply
  9. Hahahahahahaha

    I'm saaaaaaaaaailing!!!!!!! I'm saaaaaaaaaaaailing!!!! Hahahahahahahah

    February 14, 2013 at 11:23 am | Reply
  10. Jeff Smith

    A blockade is considered by international law as an act of war. Now how does declaring war on little Un help? A truly absurd commentary.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:23 am | Reply
    • sfobear

      Really? And what would you call testing a nuclear bomb after boasting that they have a missle that could hit the U.S. and promising to do as much?

      February 14, 2013 at 11:34 am | Reply
      • Jeff Smith

        I It is called a "Paper Tiger". They surely know that they would be finished as a nation if they sent us their one or three nuclear weapons.

        February 14, 2013 at 11:59 am |
      • M Ski

        False bravado for the most part. They are trying to perpetuate their regime, asking to have their country turned into a glass parking lot doesn't accomplish that. I think a better analysis of the test would be that it is primarily a domestic political gesture to reinforce the new leadership.

        February 14, 2013 at 12:06 pm |
    • readhistorymuch

      We are still at war, a cease-fire isn't a peace treaty. You are familiar with this, aren't you? Probably not, you Sir, are the absurd one.

      February 15, 2013 at 10:31 am | Reply
    • viaquest

      Jeff, actually we are still at war with North Korea, we are just in a very long cease fire! you should do some reading!

      February 16, 2013 at 6:14 pm | Reply
      • papabeer

        Viaquest you to are wrong we have never been to war with N. Korea it was a conflict .Which is much different.(don't ask how but in black and white it is different).dead is still dead

        April 2, 2013 at 9:27 pm |
  11. quickgamer

    I like all the ideas North Korea has been acting like this for a long time and if we don't stop them or at least act upon there threats who knows what could be in store for the future. There are a lot of lives at risk here and our president needs to see that, we can't keep letting them play with fire and not get burned the time to act, and act rationally is now. Be it by means of show of power or going to war this cannot be left along again.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:26 am | Reply
  12. eric

    The majority of these options will only escalate the problem, and give the North Korean government more propaganda. The main thrust of their propaganda is that we are going to attack, and the North Korean people need to be ready to defend against the invaders. What if we take the opposite approach? End the technical state of war by surrendering. Of course, we’d want to take that last option of broadcasting it over all North Korean airwaves that we surrender, we will not attack. We’ll also need to make it clear that we will protect ourselves and our friends. In order to keep power, they must keep their people in a constant fear of an outside threat. Let’s take it away. We’ve been pushing for so long, and it’s done nothing but keep the status quo.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:27 am | Reply
  13. 2star

    I can't be exact about the correct date .....

    Around 2/3 years ago, when US promised to compensate the North Korean if she is willing to destroy her nuke facilities but when the North Korean did destroyed their facilities the US then did not honor her promise. Not only did US not honoring her deal but she went on to have few military/naval exercise near the North Korean border.

    Sometimes, in life when you always take/took others for granted .... you won't get some good respond in return.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:27 am | Reply
    • Kevin

      So they destroyed their nuke facilities 2 or 3 years ago...then rebuilt them and made a nuclear weapon that quickly? Are you from the NK government or something?

      February 14, 2013 at 11:29 am | Reply
      • Reader

        2Star is obviously posting from NK. Just ignore him (along with NK).

        February 15, 2013 at 7:57 am |
  14. Abba D. Babba

    My own list based on what works most effectively with unbalanced dictators:
    1. Nuke them.
    2. Nuke them.
    3. Nuke them.
    4. Nuke them.
    5. Nuke them.
    6. Nuke them.
    7. Nuke them.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:32 am | Reply
    • bbaa abbab

      Yes Nuke them . I works. But of course we will wait until they launch an attack and try to destroy us killing countless innocent people first.

      February 14, 2013 at 1:33 pm | Reply
    • Gordo

      Could not have said it better. Force requires more force, and it seams to me that they are bringing a gun to a nuke fight.

      February 15, 2013 at 10:36 am | Reply
    • denisisthemenace

      You know what happens now days if you nuke a country ?
      No ?
      Well , my ignorant red neck friend, or jewish excrement what ever you are, here is the answer:"
      You get bombed too.

      February 16, 2013 at 4:25 pm | Reply
    • Jon

      You are talking about civilian human beings. Take out their nuclear weapons, not their people.

      February 18, 2013 at 9:20 pm | Reply
  15. Jose79845

    How about stop sabotaging the desire of the Korean people to unite NK with SK?

    February 14, 2013 at 11:37 am | Reply
    • bbaa abbab

      Just put a super Walmart in the middle.

      February 14, 2013 at 1:35 pm | Reply
    • Green Hedgehogs

      Yes, why don't we let the whole world unite? Then we can be Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia...and war will be peace. I love communism, don't you?

      February 15, 2013 at 12:01 am | Reply
  16. emagowan

    Simple. Give China 30 days to move in and take out the DPRK idiots. If not done, then let China know that the cruise missiles are gonna fly and if they can't accept that then we welcome the consequences. Surgical excision of cancer is always the best option.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:41 am | Reply
    • 2star

      You bugger are talking tru your ass ... some brainless idiot.

      February 14, 2013 at 11:43 am | Reply
  17. Kim John M

    We need to conduct a demonstration of our own. Something that makes a statement. 50 megatons above ground off their coast.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:51 am | Reply
  18. Scott

    We say we are willing to go toward War with Iran, but we do nothing to North Korea, Why would Iran even think of stopping or reverse course. What are we so afraid of with North Korea I am not for war but in this case Action would speak louder then words and Iran will watch how thing play out along with others. Come on we have spent Billion on Billions of dollars and out of those billions we don't know where they keep there bombs It is time to end this Nuclear Nightmare Once and for all.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:52 am | Reply
  19. Tahir

    We should put more pressure on N.Korea so that they make more atom bombs.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:57 am | Reply
    • Green Hedgehogs

      Not at all! We need to let Communism spread, you know.

      February 15, 2013 at 12:02 am | Reply
  20. Matt in KY

    The symbolic 'my ship has come in' photo op. Seems more like NK 'missed the boat' on this opportunity. I'm glad that the world is having an intelligent conversation about the issue–I wish NK would join in–instead of the usual "who has the largest missile" contest that's dominated history for thousands of years. All of the sanctions above have either been attempted, are in place, or would start a war (carrier group). In my quiet place, I like to believe that recon planes and satellites have always been taking pictures and chasing boats full of weapons around the globe (including NK and its ports). Time for KJU to start communicating with the world. Time for China to decide if they are part of the problem, or part of the solution. It is on KJU, not the US or China, to do something positive for his people (and the peninsula). Enough of the games.

    February 14, 2013 at 12:09 pm | Reply
  21. Kevin

    The general public of North Korea would probably welcome an approaching American/Chinese ICBM as a means to not having to live in North Korea anymore.

    February 14, 2013 at 12:11 pm | Reply
  22. Matt in KY

    KJU.....c'mon man, you ticked off the Aussies. How awful is that?

    February 14, 2013 at 12:11 pm | Reply
  23. Matthew Brown

    I think the Blockade would be a good idea, except we shouldn't allow food in either. It doesn't matter if it is seen as an act of war, since we are still technically at war with them, and the food only goes to the soldiers and top party members. This would make North Korean stop forcing their starving farmers to grow opium, and actually grow food.

    February 14, 2013 at 12:13 pm | Reply
    • 2star

      Don't you know that in the past 5 years, China has abundance of food ??? And maybe the North Korean should stop growing opium and starts harvesting grass (marijuana) cause US is currently in the process of legalizing grass. lol.

      February 14, 2013 at 12:41 pm | Reply
      • Matthew Brown

        I concur with the grass growing, and China may have an abumdance of food, but it also has an abundance of people to feed.

        February 15, 2013 at 1:19 pm |
  24. johneutah

    I am former military and i am far more concerned about our own government ruining the world than North Korea.

    February 14, 2013 at 12:16 pm | Reply
    • Ishaq

      Absolutely right!

      February 14, 2013 at 1:22 pm | Reply
    • jokana

      Absolutely.

      February 14, 2013 at 1:31 pm | Reply
    • rightospeak

      I am a vet as well . You are right on ,John. Only people who have never seen war can write foolish articles.

      February 14, 2013 at 4:14 pm | Reply
    • Gordon

      Same. We need a new military service system. Instead of the current one, we should just induct all of these 'war hawks' into the service since they seem to enjoy the prospect of it. Only cowards and hypocrites would advocate for war and killing when they know that they won't be the ones doing it.

      February 18, 2013 at 2:36 pm | Reply
      • papabeer

        I to am x military .And I personally am damn tired of only half way doing the job ,If we do go in lets do it right this time thats all I want and I will be glad to go back

        April 2, 2013 at 9:38 pm |
  25. cpc65

    Oooooh, that kinda serious. I thought they were talking about buying them a diamond ring so they'd put out.

    February 14, 2013 at 12:17 pm | Reply
  26. cpc65

    Love the photo. "I'm on a BOAT! Weeeeeeee!!!!"

    February 14, 2013 at 12:19 pm | Reply
  27. tommariner

    I'm for number 7 - with China on board that if citizens of one of the poorest countries in the world want to join their relatives to their south, that we will help any citizen uprising. But maybe Kim Jong Nutjob has it right - we will react more to nuking San Francisco than he will to everything from nasty notes to turning his country into green shimmering glass. Remember his only goal is that he keep in his life of luxury as the adored, feared, honored leader.

    February 14, 2013 at 12:47 pm | Reply
  28. Pancho

    Reintroduce tactical nuclear weapons into South Korea. This is more a message to China to start getting serious about helping resolve this issue.

    February 14, 2013 at 1:04 pm | Reply
  29. Jim

    Most if not all of what this article suggests has been tried with little to no gain. North Korea continues to be a thorn in the 'Wests' side. I have a better idea. Provide them 24 hours too comply or else...we will target a therm o-nuclear warhead at every major city/port on North Korean soil. I guarantee they will comply very quickly. Not only will they comply Iran will then fully understand their current actions as well. North Korea has had more than enough opportunities and time to comply with the agreements that they have agreed to in the past but have ignored. Waiting anymore only invites the inevitable...North Korea having the ability to launch with nuclear capability.

    February 14, 2013 at 1:19 pm | Reply
    • Tim Rigney

      No, because then China would threaten to nuke us. China MUST not be ignored in this equation!

      February 18, 2013 at 12:23 am | Reply
  30. Badly-Bent

    Make Miss Swan the ambassador to N. Korea!

    February 14, 2013 at 1:27 pm | Reply
  31. Gregory T.

    Blockade a port? Duh ... that's considered an international act of war. You want war with N. Korea? You're nuts!

    February 14, 2013 at 1:39 pm | Reply
  32. Vic

    The USS Pueblo (AGER-2) was illegally seized in Jan 1968 by N. Korea and is currently a museum in N Korea's. It is still on the active US Navy rooster of ships. I say its time to decomission her. Send in the stealth bombers to show N. Korea the US can take out any military item anytime and anyplace. N. Korea no longer could use as a trophy. Thats a message and its our ship not theirs.

    February 14, 2013 at 1:57 pm | Reply
    • Bisonwolf

      That is a great idea!!

      February 14, 2013 at 2:18 pm | Reply
  33. Bisonwolf

    The first fact you need to consider is that KJU and the rest of the “government” care about one thing and one thing only…complete control over the population of NK. They do not care how much their “subjects” suffer, how little they have to eat, if the children are educated or if parents have jobs. In fact it is to the government’s advantage to have an ignorant population. Knowledge is power and KJU sure does not want the average citizen to know how wonderful their lives could be if only given the chance to work towards that end. That is why they have tried so hard keeping out the internet and other means of communicating with the developed world. And until someone smashes him in the face and throws him to the grown will KJU ever stop bullying the great people of North Korea. These people deserve a chance to live a peaceful existence, as does every person on planet Earth. But as long as this ruthless dictator is in power no person anywhere can be assured that he or some other crazed lap dog of his will fire a nuclear warhead. Which means the last view some NKs may see is fire raining from the sky.

    February 14, 2013 at 2:17 pm | Reply
  34. Rob

    Very simply put, DPRK does not behave internally or externally like other nations. It has held fast onto its isolation and its internal rhetoric for so long now (several generations) that it firmly believes and trusts in its own delusions. To them, they are not delusions at all but rather the firm, absolute and final truth. In a psychological, social and perhaps even physical sense, they are on their way to becoming a different human species. To the extent that they do no harm to others, they should be left alone. To the extent that they DO harm to others, they should be stopped by any means necessary. Mr. Mazza's ideas are some of the best, clearest and most sensible that I've seen on the matter. If they want to "play with the big dogs", then the big dogs need to make sure that DPRK understands what that is all about.

    February 14, 2013 at 2:35 pm | Reply
  35. floridasboy

    They left this one out... #8: Covertly poisoning the upper leadership... it worked for the Soviets and Israel, and Chavez is good as dead. Put a little polonium in the champagne they use to celebrate the missile/nuke tests, it would be most appropriate.

    February 14, 2013 at 2:37 pm | Reply
  36. Johan

    Looks like Macarthur was right we should have nuked them in the 50's far too late now.

    February 14, 2013 at 3:49 pm | Reply
  37. BobInDenver

    Drop Adele on them. Problem solved and no nasty nuclear fallout.

    February 14, 2013 at 4:01 pm | Reply
  38. rightospeak

    Because of warmongering like this article suggest we have been at war most of my life. Time to change course before we are all obliterated. War profiteers are insane with greed and have no clue that they may be wishing for their own funeral. Most wars have been caused by BANKSTERS.

    February 14, 2013 at 4:10 pm | Reply
  39. Ronald

    It's not too late to nuke 'em. We paid good money to build our nuclear stockpile. Instead of decomissioning the old nukes, lets use them. We could set up cameras and put on it on Pay per view! BOOM!!!

    February 14, 2013 at 4:10 pm | Reply
    • Bert

      RIGHT ON!!!

      February 14, 2013 at 4:15 pm | Reply
    • Canada

      Just a bright Flash and then signal loss.... yep worth my $12.95

      February 15, 2013 at 2:36 pm | Reply
  40. haves

    It's simply the haves don't want the have nots to get nuclear weapons.

    U.S. doesn't like N. Korea to have it because U.S. already has it. China also doesn't like N. Korea to have it because China already has it, but of course China has to tread carefully in terms of denying nuclear weapons to N. Korea because the ruling party in China is still called a "communist" party, even though its policies really have nothing to do communism after 1980.

    N. Korea also knows it can't really bomb U.S. because it will be finished as a nation if it ever tries. This is simply a claim to get more aid from the Western nations or to stop Western nations from messing with its business (maintaining the party's power). If anyone is seriously worried about a nuclear bomb dropping on U.S. soil from N. Korea, then he's seriously dilusional.

    February 14, 2013 at 4:14 pm | Reply
  41. Kiley

    We should drop a dud missile in front of Kim Jong Un's palace with a letter inside saying "See how easy that was? Better cool it, pal!"

    February 14, 2013 at 4:17 pm | Reply
    • rightospeak

      Why mess around? Just nuke the fat little twerp.

      February 14, 2013 at 4:21 pm | Reply
      • Kiley

        because arrogance is a much better approach. lol

        February 14, 2013 at 4:33 pm |
  42. Bruce Rubin

    More proof its who you know not what you know. China basically pushed the USA of the continent during the Korean war. It took a threat of a nuclear weapon against China to get them to move back to the 38th parallel.if you want to start world war three this would be a good course of action

    February 14, 2013 at 4:38 pm | Reply
    • CJ

      No we fought them back to the 38th parallel to a stale mate. Read a history book much?

      February 14, 2013 at 7:19 pm | Reply
      • readhistorymuch

        It sems a lot of people aren't too keen on their military history...

        February 15, 2013 at 10:34 am |
    • viaquest

      completly false statment! ran us off the continent? where did you get your history book?.. oh– wait you must be reading the North Korean edition!

      February 16, 2013 at 6:38 pm | Reply
  43. Gorgon

    We should do a bomber blitz on North Korea. Instead of dropping bombs, drop food and propaganda. Let them taste what the outside world has to offer. Tell them to get more all they need to do is kill that fat little dumpling leader and his equally dopey minions.
    Lil Kim will be dangling from a pole within weeks.

    February 14, 2013 at 4:44 pm | Reply
  44. Che Guevara

    Isolating North Korea makes the situation ten times worse.

    February 14, 2013 at 4:44 pm | Reply
  45. Neil

    I think that the US should mention to the chinese that Taiwan should have the same nuclear capabilities that no. korea does, I'm sure the chinese would jerk kim 'dim sum's' chain in a heartbeat. Problem solved.

    February 14, 2013 at 5:17 pm | Reply
  46. “Nuke them" ?

    For everyone saying “Nuke them”, your and idiot. Do you think dropping a Nuke will do a dam thing? It will guarantee an immediate nuclear strike of South Korea. We have no idea where they keep their nuclear material, or how many complete weapons they have. The only time we know where anything is, is when they tell us ahead of time. Hell they tell us, “We are conducting a Nuclear Test”, and the government still sits their hands. We do not have the capability to Nuke the entire country, above and below ground. I for one am not willing to sacrifice our allies to “Nuke them”. You have a typical Moronic response. We have smart weapons for a reason. Take the head of the snake, when another grows back, take that one too. Don’t stop. Make it so no one would be foolish enough to want to be the leader of North Korea. Everyone stupid enough to wear a uniform for North Korea, take them out. Conduct a simultaneous invasion from all corners of the country. And yes I mean “Invasion”. They will have no idea what to do. You would see the little boy that runs the place beg for his daddy to return and help them on national television. Anything they put up in the air gets immediately shot down. Same as Iraq, take a tank Colum to the capital, supported by aircraft, and don’t stop until you get there. Park aircraft carriers of the coast and respond to every rifle shot with a jdam. “Oh but wait, missiles cost money”, who cares, they are planning on using a Nuke against us. Why are we waiting until they act first. They even told us that they were testing this Nuke to prepare for significant action against the U.S. Its time to step up and wipe this threat of the face of the earth, not just set off a powder keg by “Nuking Them”

    February 14, 2013 at 5:44 pm | Reply
    • cam

      If it was that easy it would be done... The reason Syria is still in a chaotic war is because Russia is backing them, N.Koria is not scared of the U.S alsong as China is backing them. China and Russia would not hesitate to go to war with the U.S. if it was to protect their interests. The same way the U.S. doesn`t hesitate to go to war if it protects their interests.
      Until China stops backing N.Korea or until N.Korea fires a nuke at the U.S. nothing will ever be done other than sanctions. We are all wasting our breath even talking about it.

      February 18, 2013 at 1:46 pm | Reply
    • Endo

      I like what you said!

      February 19, 2013 at 3:51 pm | Reply
  47. more2bits

    No your wrong. Failure to do anything means we will one day mean will have to abandon irradiated cities on the West coast. Your so totally wrong. NK is crazy and will use them–guaranteed.

    February 14, 2013 at 5:52 pm | Reply
    • “Nuke them" ?

      Who are you responding to? Your comment makes no sense.

      February 14, 2013 at 6:01 pm | Reply
  48. Jerry Okamura

    And what happens if all of these recommendation are followed to the "T", and North Korea ignores them and continues to build up their nuclear capability?

    February 14, 2013 at 6:27 pm | Reply
  49. dongsoola

    North Korea can end US.
    North Korea is the only nation in the world who is fully ready for full scale nuclear war.
    북조선은 미국을 끝낼수있다.
    북조선은 세계에서 핵 전면전쟁을 치를수 있도록 완전 준비되있는 오로지 한 나라이다.

    US media and government is hiding this fact from its people.
    미국미디아와 정부는 이것을 국민들에게 알리지 않코 있다.

    Another fact is that North Korea wants an non-aggression pact with US that both parties will never attack each other.
    This will officially end Korean war and leads Koreans into unifications that most Koreans want.
    또하나 사실은 북조선은 미국과 서로 공격하지 않켔다는 불가침조약을 맺는것을 원하고 있다.
    이 평화조약은 한국전쟁을 공식적으로 끝낼껏이며 거의 모든 한국사람들이 원하는 통일을 가져올껏이다.

    US,however, is refusing to sign non-aggression pact.
    Instead, US is continously trying to provoke North Korea by isolating the country economically and politically.
    하지만 미국은 평화조약을 거절하구 있다.
    그대신 미국은 계속 북조선을 경제적 정치적으로 고립하면서 자극하고 있다.

    American public is not anything near ready for nuclear war.
    The only people in US who is going to survive by nuclear war are just few people in missile defences
    and millitary heads who will hide in deep ground protective facility like NORAD.
    미국민들은 핵전쟁에 전혀 준비되어 있지 않타.
    미국민중에 핵전쟁후에 생존할수있는 사람들은 오로지 NORAD같이 땅 깊숙한 시설에 숨을 미사일 방위에 있는 사람들이나
    군상관들이다.

    Any person with right mind should put a stop US government and the media driving us into nuclear ashes.
    정상적인 사람이면 우리를 핵의 재로 몰고 가는 미국정부와 미디아들을 멈추게 해야한다

    February 14, 2013 at 6:37 pm | Reply
    • Alan

      Where to start on this.

      North Korea may believe they are prepared to ride out a nuclear conflict but the simple reality is that there is no way a totalitarian regime can sustain itself should a nuclear attack commence. Consider this. Should North Korea initiate a nuclear war against either one of its neighbors (unlikely, but within reason) or the United States itself (highly unlikely with no method to deliver a warhead) it would face the full brunt of a reply from the USAF Global Strike Command.

      If it is considered that the US would only strike counterforce and legitimate governmental countervalue targets that would indicate a low level nuclear exchange of roughly 150 to 200 warheads in the 10kt to 100kt range on an equal number of DGZ's within the North. This would cripple the North's military and command structure and also cause serious and unrecoverable damage to the south.

      To date no agreement with substance has been tendered to the US Government or the Government of South Korea by the government of the DPRK that does not entail the unification of the Korean nation under the banner of the north. Such a proposal is unacceptable to the US and South Korea alike. The US stands with its allies.

      I suggest you make it a point to understand both the mechanics of making war and the realities of diplomacy.

      February 14, 2013 at 6:51 pm | Reply
    • Frank

      Dong, North Korea does not have the ability to strike the U.S more than once, if that. The U.S. can vaporize the entire country. Stop.

      February 14, 2013 at 8:02 pm | Reply
    • KGBIRS

      Let's nuke Pyongyang.

      February 16, 2013 at 2:32 am | Reply
    • Shawn Irwin

      Funny how everyone who replied to this message ignored the comment about the US refusing to sign a non-agression pact.

      February 16, 2013 at 6:12 am | Reply
    • Just on break

      This is my seven ways
      1. Don't let the little man get into you.
      2. Don't let the little man eat potatoes
      3. Don't let the little man shout at you.
      4. Let let the little man kill you.
      5. Don't let the little man strike first
      .6. Don't let the little man curse you.
      7. Give the little man what he wanted .

      February 16, 2013 at 10:21 am | Reply
    • Tim Rigney

      LISTEN, bud, we have THOUSANDS of nuclear weapons. LITERALLY THOUSANDS. And China wouldn't tolerate it anyway. A nuclear "threat" against the United States from North Korea is literally a non-issue. Literally 0.00000000000000%

      February 18, 2013 at 12:26 am | Reply
    • Rob

      One word for you, STUPID!

      February 18, 2013 at 9:51 am | Reply
    • cam

      HaHA.. N.Korea can`t even win a war against S.Korea and that is proven. Why are you on the internetÉ I thought citizens of N.Korea arent allowed to have communication with the outside world?

      February 18, 2013 at 1:51 pm | Reply
    • Jake

      now this commie kory is out of his mind!!!
      every one knows that the US is more powerful and with its advanced defense systems it'll blast any nukes that comes its way so you kory just lay off the topic and go back to Kimmy and grovel for some mud!!!

      February 18, 2013 at 11:03 pm | Reply
    • Endo

      Dongdrool: Man, you are cuckoo for coco-puffs aren't you?

      February 19, 2013 at 4:03 pm | Reply
    • CogitoErgoSum

      NK havee tiny p3nis and a few tiny yield bombs. We have many big bombs. You-ee go away now. okey dokey?

      Our country hundred times your size. You only kill 2-3 cities. Then we make you go byby forever. NK gone from earth, like Hitler and Saddam.

      You-ee not have enough to bluff with, little fella. Nor will you ever.

      March 4, 2013 at 11:03 am | Reply
  50. cybercmdr

    The easiest way to deal with North Korea would be for China to openly state that it would accept them as a new Chinese province if they dumped their leadership. Half the military and all of the civilians would take that in a heartbeat.

    February 14, 2013 at 7:56 pm | Reply
  51. Frank

    Is this Mazza guy nuts? Blockade?? OK if you want a new Korean war, that would happen in an instant if there was a blockade. Heeelllloooooooo.

    February 14, 2013 at 7:58 pm | Reply
  52. us_1776

    We need to get this guy his own show on MTV.

    .

    February 14, 2013 at 8:54 pm | Reply
  53. Also...

    In short:
    1) Start a war
    2) Start a war
    3) Label China's treasury as a criminal agency (start a war...with China)
    4) Do nothing
    5) Perform a middle-school girl scandal drama (do nothing)
    6) Whine and complain (do nothing)
    7) Continue doing what South Korea is already doing (do nothing)

    In sum, it's exactly as one might expect. Our options for a response are to start a war, or do nothing. Since the U.S. isn't in the mood to start a war right now, the response shall be to do nothing.

    February 14, 2013 at 9:02 pm | Reply
  54. Carl, Secaucus, NJ

    A blockade is an act of war under international law; that's why JFK called it a "quarantine" during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

    February 14, 2013 at 9:10 pm | Reply
  55. Pat

    I don't see my post? Test

    February 14, 2013 at 9:12 pm | Reply
  56. Pat

    Mike, almost all of these suggestions will require China to be on board for these to be effective. But what makes us think that China is going to be on board this time. Because for the past decade each and every time North Korea has conducted a nuclear test or ballistic missile launch or even the warlike actions when the North Korean's sank the Cheonan or the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island, China has offered only lip service to reign in these actions by the North. They are unwilling to even vote in the UN Security Council to impose the strongest sanctions.

    February 14, 2013 at 9:25 pm | Reply
  57. Pat

    You cannot post anything on this board that castsChina in a bad light.

    February 14, 2013 at 9:35 pm | Reply
  58. Pat

    8China will rein in North Korea if the US deploys land based nuclear weapons to both South Korea. As China considers the area around the Korean Peninsula as their own backyard.

    February 14, 2013 at 9:38 pm | Reply
  59. Pat

    OK that was the gist of it!

    February 14, 2013 at 9:40 pm | Reply
  60. Pat

    8. What if the US deploys land based nuclear weapons to South Korea? I say if we do this then China will rein in North Korea. Because China considers the area around the Korean Peninsula as their own backyard, it is my opinion that China would impose the needed pressure on North Korea to end their nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

    February 14, 2013 at 9:49 pm | Reply
  61. karthick amarnath

    The USA must redefine its nuclear policy.it should not consider itself as the authority of this big world .If you attack north Korea like Iraq then you are awaiting a disaster .the world is growing fast than America.
    my suggestion is try peace talk else America will fall certainly.

    February 14, 2013 at 10:19 pm | Reply
    • Pat

      Have you ever heard the expression 'talk is cheap". Well its so cheap that it is a great stalling tactic. Over the past decade the beginning in 2003 there have been many negotiations between the US and North Korea as part of the Six Party Talks: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-party_talks. How effective has this talking been so far? Given past perforamance I think we can just about guarantee the same level of success in future peace talks with North Korea.
      Direct talks between the US and Iran regarding its nuclear program did not occur prior to 2009. These talks are called the "Negotiations Between Iran and the P5+1". Once again there often appears to be numerous things in the way: Iran will agree to talk but on the condition that its nuclear program is not open for negotiations. Other times Iran says that before they will begin to talk about their nuclear program they demand that Israel's nuclear program be investigated. Because there are multiple talking points before Iran will begin to talk, the talks rarely occur.

      February 15, 2013 at 3:37 am | Reply
    • ccsroscoe@gmail.com

      Peace talks in 1950 failed. Peace talks the last 60 years failed.

      Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk lead to nothing.

      February 17, 2013 at 12:27 pm | Reply
  62. Jose

    I would just tell Mr. Kim this: "Launch a nuke at the USA, and we will nuke you." That's about it.
    Jose

    February 14, 2013 at 11:05 pm | Reply
    • pelegrim

      Brilliant, Jose. You are a military genius.

      February 15, 2013 at 3:52 pm | Reply
  63. Brian

    Excellent idea! Negotiate with terrorists and murderous dictators because your progressive friends don't know anything about foreign policy. Absolutely pathetic.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:06 pm | Reply
  64. Larry L

    Interesting we can shoot a hellfire missile from a drone at an American citizen who has joined al Qaeda and poses an "eminent" threat yet we can't make an preemptive strike on N. Korea. I suppose it's about the potential for destruction and death rather than the principle. Still, I'm not in favor of feeding the enemy. They can starve rather than build bombs.

    February 14, 2013 at 11:46 pm | Reply
    • cam

      Lets straighten something out here, what reason would Iran or N.Korea have to give up Nukes? The only reason other countries give these up is if the countries asking them to give up something. Example; maybe iran needs weapons (guns small bombs, etc) maybe N.Korea wanted food or money... well now maybe those countries want more and the UN or U.S has said NO, so now the only way to get more is to build nukes and threaten to build bigger and badder ones.
      See the big picture, who will pay them more to go away or to stop with the nukes? China, Russia, UN, US.. right now China is winning in Syria, Russia is winning and until the US offers Syria more than the Russians why would they stop.

      February 18, 2013 at 2:07 pm | Reply
      • cam

        oooh sorry, my grammer was horrible in that last post..lol

        February 18, 2013 at 2:10 pm |
  65. oscar

    lets just get together and disarm them . they have 1.5 million army . poison there water , kill the million in army . then take out there nuclear programmed once and for all, so that they no longer going to be a threat .

    February 15, 2013 at 12:10 am | Reply
  66. glenn

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    Winning Lottery Number Generation System!

    February 15, 2013 at 12:24 am | Reply
  67. casual

    North Korea is of no consequence to the United States, the sabre rattling is just to make the surrounding countries think that the states are concerned about what nk is doing. Either Russia or China are supplying the nk's with the hardware to pull this stuff off, let them deal with fire they start. America has more pressing matters at home and close to home. No one in the world wants to foot the bill for all these interventions, so screw them. America should just get its own house in order and then if they still want to be the policeman and firefighters of the world, pick the engagements with more thought as to what they want to accomplish. Running around like chickens with their head cut off will not solve a single issue. Everything the United States does in the coming decades should really be done with an efficences on no military personnel, except where they are required to operate American equipment. If countries don't want to pay for assistance then none should be given. The American people shouldn't be the ones to bear the brunt of the worlds problems.

    February 15, 2013 at 12:37 am | Reply
  68. zee

    CASUAL seems like a person that loves dictator and china & russia.

    February 15, 2013 at 1:06 am | Reply
  69. sonny

    All talk

    February 15, 2013 at 10:26 am | Reply
  70. SDW

    Why aren't you Secretary of State?

    February 15, 2013 at 11:10 am | Reply
  71. more2bits

    The 8th way to deal with NK–draw a line in the sane and dare NK to crossover it with the threat of total annihilation if they do. Worked with Russia and the US for over 70 years.

    February 15, 2013 at 11:47 am | Reply
  72. Ol' Lefty

    You can't deal w/ these psychos, nor do we want WWIII. I've been advocating a simple plan. Pretty much tell N. Korea (and by proxy Iran or anyother rogue state seeking nuclear weapons) that any first use by them, or by terrorists supplied by them, will trigger immediate nuclear hell. We don't care who they attack, even countries that we don't like. The only outcome will be destruction.

    February 15, 2013 at 12:36 pm | Reply
  73. yep

    this is another one of those times where s*** like this happens, (most) people agreed drastic action needs taken, and then whine and cry when s*** hits the fan and blame the government for being in unnecessary conflicts. not that that nevers happens, mind you, but I get real tired of hearing this...

    February 15, 2013 at 12:43 pm | Reply
  74. Dean

    8. Quit giving them money.

    February 15, 2013 at 1:32 pm | Reply
  75. Jim Vinsel

    The purpose of a country's military is to defend the people from enemies both external and internal.
    Time for North Korea's military to deal with their internal enemies – the govt. of N. Korea.

    Think Romania 1989.

    February 15, 2013 at 1:53 pm | Reply
  76. Person of Interest

    "3. Designate as a “primary money laundering concern” any bank – including those in China and Europe – providing financial services for the North Korean regime. This worked to great effect with Banco Delta Asia in 2005. Treat North Korea as the criminal enterprise that it is."

    Right because when HSBC was laundering billions for the drug cartels we (the US and Europe) did something about it. They were even shown to have intentionally showed the cartels how to do this. I never heard anything about anyone important going to jail...why? Dirty money is money to the greedy and yes, even the US elected officials really like the status quo.

    February 15, 2013 at 2:37 pm | Reply
  77. Lakedave

    I really do not have a specific answer regarding North Korea. Complexities abound when examining each solution. However I feel the hollow threats we have made now seem utterly foolish. First we stated you better not try to explode a nuclear bomb. Now it is what? You better not do it again! Iran has been told the same thing-you better not try to explode a nuclear weapon-we will not tolerate it! I am sure that will follow the same path. You better not do it again. This going on while these countries are trying to develop intercontinental missiles. Comments such as they are years away from building one-will be a pale comment five to tens years from now when they do have the technology. Then the fun begins.

    February 15, 2013 at 3:11 pm | Reply
  78. Daniel B. Boucher Sr

    They need to focus on the openness needed to unearth shortcomings in their present way of seeing the world

    February 15, 2013 at 4:52 pm | Reply
  79. us_1776

    The guy just wants his own show on MTV.

    .

    February 15, 2013 at 6:57 pm | Reply
    • KEVIN

      un, why do we not take the same opinion and evaluation of Iran? Iran is even less of a threat to us then North Korea.

      February 15, 2013 at 9:31 pm | Reply
  80. KEVIN

    Kim Jong un has accomplished his goal. If he pushes this any further, he will be sooo screwed. Now is the BIG TEST: Is Kim Jong un intelligent?

    February 15, 2013 at 8:54 pm | Reply
  81. KEVIN

    Nukes? Who cares about them anymore? Use them = complete anihilation of self by all others who have nukes

    February 15, 2013 at 9:11 pm | Reply
  82. oneSTARman

    What Purpose would it serve to have US Naval Vessels in Chinese waters except to antagonize the Chinese? Likewise with a Blockade. Not only is it meaningless; but again, stupidly counter-productive. Because MOST of what North Korea receives from the outside world; comes overland from China. Right now China believes it is in China's best interest to maintain a Buffer between itself and US Supported South Korea but does NOT want a failed State and refugees on its Border as it FEARS Instability above all else. If Pyongyang becomes TOO much of a Liability the Equation may CHANGE.

    February 15, 2013 at 11:10 pm | Reply
  83. Oscar Pitchfork

    Just find out where that greasy little yellow mother fu–er is and drop a cruise missle on him. What's the big deal? Is China REALLY going to raise that big of a stink? I don't think so...

    February 15, 2013 at 11:51 pm | Reply
  84. Francisco

    Did a Republican write this article?

    So obvious. Complaints come from republicans. But when one becomes President, they put this country down the toilet. Then comes in a democrat Preside to fix things up. And then the republicans complain the president is taking too long to fix the mess made by them, and at the same time they do not want to pass any bills the President wants. This makes no sense.

    And about North Korea, the world has their eye on them. Especially the United States. Trust me, if needed, they will be taken care of.. Same goes for Iran.

    February 16, 2013 at 1:33 am | Reply
  85. Steve

    By nature I'm a peaceful person, but after this wk, I'm at reaching the end of my rope with the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea I would like to take out their nuclear facilities, Yes, I relize what would happen if we did that but enough is enough time to stop North Korea already

    February 16, 2013 at 1:56 am | Reply
  86. KGBIRS

    Slowly, but surely, reduce imports from the People's Dictatorship of China. Put the PRC on notice, that any weapon of mass destruction (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, etc) launched by N. Korea that requires a U.S. response; that the PRC will be considered to be a primary target for failing to keep N. Korea in check.

    If that means Nuking Peking, than so be it. Of course, by then N. Korea will be a glass parking lot.

    February 16, 2013 at 2:31 am | Reply
  87. jcinter

    The nukes (active + reserves) in USA and Russia are enough to destroy ALL cities in the world. In addition, Brits & France and Isarel each has 300+, while China has 500+, India & Pekistan each has 100+ warheads. These nukes can destroy the world twice. We not only need to prevent any more nuke nations, but more importantly, eliminate ALL the existing nukes in US, Russia, China, Brits, France, Isarel and others. Get rid of all nukes.
    I have worked on the nukes before, so don't tell me how we must have them as national defense. Each one of our warhead is destined to kill 100K or more people, so are the foreign nukes.

    February 16, 2013 at 4:15 am | Reply
  88. Shawn Irwin

    With all due respect to the author of this article, his ideas are naive and provocative, and would only provoke the North Koreans. If you are going to do something, half-measures are just plain hopeless at solving the issue. An all-out attack that takes out their capability is what would solve the issue . . . . however . . . . IMHO, I am not surprized that the North Koreans feel the need to defend themselves from the USA . . . . from the perspective of other countries, the USA is the biggest breaker of international laws in the world, it has absolutely no respect whatsoever for the national sovereignty of other nations, and is far to arrogant for its own good. On top of all that, my theory is that the Chinese are colluding with the North Korean leader behind the scenes . . . . which does not bode well for the outcome of an all out attack on this regime, and, that is why an all-out attack has not occurred. It is the only explaination that I can see for the lack of the action to destroy the North Korean capability.

    February 16, 2013 at 6:03 am | Reply
  89. Ferdinand

    It is not only "North Korea", but also "South Korea" is very dangerous, because they share the same non-Western ideas and work hand-in-hand to realize them. We cannot allow naive US politics anymore, because not acting now in the corrent manner, would mean that we cannot survive, cannot win – and that is not acceptable. That's why: stop doing business with "Koreans", no imports of Koreans products, anymore.

    February 16, 2013 at 6:22 am | Reply
  90. dan schmidt

    its clearly north korea is under estimating the U.S. he they think they can continue to do provocativ acts noing china will bail them out in the U.N. well i think its time to flex a little bit and show the world that we do take threts toowards us lets not wait until its to late an this nit wit do somthing stupid we need to show this clown u keep pushing our buttons we will show u and the world its no joking matter anymore. we need to teach yhis dictator a lesson like we did with hussein / gadafi / an the taliban if we want to we can come an get you in so many ways so kim u never no u mite hav to soon keep an EYE to the sky

    February 16, 2013 at 8:11 am | Reply
  91. lou sweet

    i wanna read the OUTCOME of the war between these countries on the internet !

    February 16, 2013 at 11:12 am | Reply
  92. polnick

    Peace in N.Korea will cause the US arms industry to shut down, thousands will lose jobs. Conflicts between nations will be only trade wars. The US and China will continue to be the chief suppliers of goods and services to a struggling world.

    February 16, 2013 at 12:02 pm | Reply
  93. janz

    I believe in the statement: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity. One thing I know in my heart and mind for sure is that they cannot be ignored. Also, scare tactics will not change anything or anyone...not even a naughty child.

    February 16, 2013 at 2:59 pm | Reply
  94. John

    We absolutely cannot Nuke them. Nevermind the fact that South Korea is our ally and Seoul is literally NOT far from the NK borders. If we are going to attack them. We have to do it tactically. Surprise them overnight dropping bombs on what little naval and air defense they have. Locate Jung and drop a couple drone strikes in his general vicinity. Avoid as many civilian casualties as possible. Once we do our part disabling their military. We allow South Korea to march on in and take back the rest of their country. (Of which.. we will benefit from greatly) I am the first person against nation building. But, this is one country that needs to go for EVERYONES interest. But, it has to be done intelligently.

    February 16, 2013 at 3:14 pm | Reply
  95. jcb

    Of course we need new ways, Hillary is not in a position to GIVE THEM A STERN WARNING!

    February 16, 2013 at 3:50 pm | Reply
  96. John Geheran

    Perhaps more than anything else, NK wants to be recognized as a power to be respected within the community of nations. Just as President Reagan's "evil empire" theme contributed to the implosion of the USSR, a sustained and concerted effort by Western nations to expose NK for what it really is – an evil, murderous regime, with no regard for its people – will destroy their credibility not only amongst the nations of the world but within their borders as well. Playing a military card will only enhance their position of defining the US as a hostile threat that requires nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

    February 16, 2013 at 4:58 pm | Reply
  97. denis

    Lets try again ... this article souds like it was written by hittler

    February 16, 2013 at 5:46 pm | Reply
  98. denis

    1 congratulations to KN on their succesfull tests

    February 16, 2013 at 5:47 pm | Reply
  99. denis

    2 Stop being a bunch of hipocrit jews. Israel has a covert nuclear program , where is the outcry for that?
    Where is the presure , where are tha harsh words against that?

    February 16, 2013 at 5:49 pm | Reply
  100. denis

    3 the reports change from source to source , some say the jews have 200 nukes , others 400 , others 600.
    What ever the number , the truth is that they have them and are ready to use them, they have a mandate from the bible to destroy the earth. And we support them ? and we subsidise them? and we protect them ? and we fight their wars ? and we send our children to die in their place , so that they can laugh it out ?

    February 16, 2013 at 5:49 pm | Reply
  101. denis

    Israel is a terrorist state and we suply wmds to it , so where does that leave us when pretending to try and stop other nations from building their own ?

    February 16, 2013 at 5:55 pm | Reply
  102. denis

    ....4

    5 you will not be able to contain NK, at some point they will be in a corner , forced to fight to the death.
    Forcing their hand is not the way to go about things.
    They have being there before and what happened? The us added an unwinable war to the military belt.
    The us , should be really ashamed on that simple base. We cant win over such a country, their idiology and conviction are unwavering. Unlike us , who are encouraged to change our minds as many times we see fit on any issue.

    February 16, 2013 at 5:56 pm | Reply
  103. Daniel

    It may round crazy but i don't see Iran or Iraq as a real danger to the world. They haven't done anything that crazy yet. But north Korea has. They sunk a navy vessel and bombarded an island not long ago. They talk about war everyday while its people Starve to death. Yet nobody especially China has done anything yet. I believe if there were any real conflict to take place in this century it would be triggered by them. So US should find a way to unify Korea for good and stop fooling around with Iran.

    February 16, 2013 at 5:58 pm | Reply
  104. denis

    6 let the two unify , north would win , yes , but would that be so bad , if it means an end to the war ?
    Just what is the us interest there ? naval bases ? not good enough.

    February 16, 2013 at 6:03 pm | Reply
    • Endo

      Denis: Please tell me that you don't plan on breading.

      February 19, 2013 at 4:08 pm | Reply
  105. outspoken

    Did USA ever ask himself why NK hates them ? Never !!

    February 16, 2013 at 6:03 pm | Reply
  106. denis

    7 .... And number 7
    7 NK has the right to build nuclear weapons if they have the know how and the resources.
    They have the right to deffend themselves , specially from countries like our own.
    Would we accept other nations preconditions on our own nuclear programs ?
    no! so stop pretending like we can do so to others. we are the agressors there , we are the invadors there , we are the outsiders there
    Congratulations to NK on their succesfull tests.

    February 16, 2013 at 6:06 pm | Reply
  107. A-1

    I feel like if we were to go through the trouble of 1,2 and 5 we might as well just put an end to the Korean War once and for all

    February 16, 2013 at 6:18 pm | Reply
  108. Ted Ward

    The Dear Leader's regime, if he even controls it and not it him, is the world's metaphor of a dead ender if ever there was one. Patience and the slow unstoppable and gradually accelerating flow of information to the North Korean people will eventually doom his upside down pyramid of a regime. Some Wednesday afternoon some worker pushing his cart full of next to nothing will find his cart has hit a pothole for the ten thousandth time and the wheel is broken and a police guy will demand he move his cart out of the road immediately. The cart guy will explode in anger and exasperation and unleash a verbal tirade of a lifetime of frustration at the symbol of authority, a crowd gathers around the scene, sides with the cart guy and chases the regime's cop en masse all the way back to the station, then they trash the station, take the guns, some cops side with the mob, and it just grows from there. No one stops the mob because no one has anything to lose in a state where nobody has any rights or possessions or reason to defend this abusive regime. Besides, they now pretty much know life is much better elsewhere and their country is an international laughing stock...

    February 16, 2013 at 9:41 pm | Reply
  109. Kevin

    Why not ware away thier money by holding military excercises all around it every few weeks causing them to put thier military on frequent alerts to move them around. They can't keep that up for long before they tire of it finacially and physically.

    February 17, 2013 at 1:30 am | Reply
  110. Kevin

    What a dork, who does he think he's waving to out in the middle of the water.

    February 17, 2013 at 1:34 am | Reply
    • danschmidt

      lol he`s waving to the cleaners to hav his uniform pressed lol

      February 17, 2013 at 9:30 am | Reply
    • Coflyboy

      He's hailing a taxi.

      February 17, 2013 at 7:58 pm | Reply
  111. spockmckoy

    1 properly placed 7mm would go a long way.........all for under $1

    February 17, 2013 at 11:22 am | Reply
  112. ccsroscoe@gmail.com

    8. Trumps all the worthless 7 ideas.

    If President Truman had backed up MacArthur in 1950 we would not have this problem.

    MacArthur's amphibious assault at Inchon went ahead on 15 September. "The success of Inchon was so great and the subsequent prestige of General MacArthur was so overpowering," Collins later recalled, "that the Chiefs hesitated thereafter to question later plans and decisions of the general, which should have been challenged." In response to a rumor that the Eighth Army planned to halt at the 38th parallel and await United Nations authorization to cross, Marshall sent a message to MacArthur informing him that: "We want you to feel unhampered tactically and strategically to proceed north of 38th parallel. Announcement above referred to may precipitate embarrassment in the UN where evident desire is not to be confronted with necessity of a vote on passage, rather to find you have found it militarily necessary to do so."[49] A few days later, MacArthur was instructed not to issue an announcement that his forces had crossed the 38th parallel.[50] On 7 October a United Nations General Assembly Resolution was passed that could be broadly construed as permitting the invasion of North Korea.

    Public statements
    On 1 December 1950, MacArthur was asked by a reporter if the restrictions on operations against Chinese forces on the far side of the Yalu River were "a handicap to effective military operations." He replied that they were indeed "an enormous handicap, unprecedented in military history." On 6 December, Truman issued a directive requiring all military officers and diplomatic officials to clear with the State Department all but routine statements before making them public, "and...refrain from direct communications on military or foreign policy with newspapers, magazines, and other publicity media.

    Thus the hissy fight started and MacArthur was recalled.

    February 17, 2013 at 12:46 pm | Reply
  113. Steve Life

    There is a lot of love for NK in the USA. Obama follows Kim's guidance to rule and not lead.

    February 17, 2013 at 1:54 pm | Reply
  114. dave

    Most of people reading this news is blindsided that's why they're reading it. You guys don't even know any history about Korea war and so forth..

    I don't know why we are so afraid of NK. THey don't even have foods...How can they produce WMD? Think about it folks..

    February 17, 2013 at 6:01 pm | Reply
  115. Andrey

    Good luck with putting more external pressure on a country that made its self-reliance a corner stone of its ideology!
    It seems to me that your master needs external threats like China, Iran, Russia, NK, al-Qaeda, aliens and meteors, whatever to keep Americans in check. Americans obviously can not be relied on to stay in line and keep swallowing the crap they are fed..
    So bonne chance with fighting terrible vicious NK!

    February 17, 2013 at 8:12 pm | Reply
  116. cyg

    Forgot about that little sub fleet of theirs, did we? Rethink that blockade idea...

    February 17, 2013 at 8:43 pm | Reply
    • Brittney

      Completely agree.

      February 18, 2013 at 10:28 am | Reply
  117. Tim Rigney

    I think we should just plain ignore every aggressive move they make. Every nuke test they do, every rocket they fire, every "exercise" near the border – just plain ignore it totally. Why do we keep playing this game their way? If they want a loan for food and other resources, we have embassies and diplomats for that. They can knock at the front door like everyone else.

    February 17, 2013 at 10:30 pm | Reply
  118. Homer10

    Add this one. Shoot down any N.Korea missile tests. Make them know, that we can hit anything they throw at us. Also put 20,000 troops on the DMZ with some real high tech hardware that we have been using in Afghanistan. He may get ornery, but he knows he would loose if actual fighting did break out. South Korea should let China know, that they might not let China use their labor force to make their autos any more unless China starts pulling on N.Korea's leash.

    February 17, 2013 at 11:21 pm | Reply
  119. please transelate and pass to the FBI, CIA AND those who care

    وردنا خبرا مؤكدا مفاده ما يلي :
    المجرم واثق البطاط يتواجد حاليا في مدينة الشعله – في بيت يقع في نهاية شارع (60) بداية منطقة الدوانم مع مجموعه من المجرمين من المليشيات التابعه لفيلق القدس الايراني وينطلق من مدينة الشعله لتنفيذ عمليات الاغتيال في مناطق الغزاليه والسيديه والعامريه وبدعم لوجستي من مكتب القائد العام للقوات المسلحه

    تعليقنا //
    اين مذكرة القاء القبض بحق هذا الارهابي يا مالكي وهو لايبعد عن مقرك في المنطقه الخضراء اكثر من 15 كيلومتر ومليشياتك وجيشك الاجرامي يحاصر احياء الاعظميه والعامريه والسيديه لكي يتحرك هذا المجرم وعصابات فيلق القدس لقتل الابرياء وتصفية المطالبين بحقوقهم المشروعه china , russia , n korea , hizboallah, syrian and iraqi shiia are evil we must deal with them asap......

    February 18, 2013 at 12:15 am | Reply
    • Rob

      Agreed but that is a very tall task, and I would not like the planet to be reading radiation forever and ever. But you do have all of the "guilty suspects"

      February 18, 2013 at 10:00 am | Reply
    • KEVIN

      please, very brave of you (even though I have no idea what you wrote). It is OK to translate that into english (if you wish). If anyone in the US govt. gives you a hard time, contact me (freedom of speach)

      February 19, 2013 at 2:37 am | Reply
    • skunky123

      English-Arabic translation
      And our response to an announcement confirming the view that:
      Offender confident Battat resides now in the city of flame – in the house located at the end of street (60) beginning area dunums with a group of criminals from militias affiliated to the Qods Force of Iran and stems from the city of the torch to carry out assassinations in areas of Ghazaliya and Saidiya, Ameriyah and logistical support from the Office of the Adjutant General of the Forces armed

      Our comment / /
      Where an arrest warrant against this terrorist O owners, a Aabad مقرك in the Green Zone, more than 15 miles and criminal to Mlisht army besieging neighborhoods of Adhamiya and Amiriya and Saidiya to move this criminal gangs and the Qods Force to kill innocent people and demanding their legitimate rights filtering

      February 19, 2013 at 12:03 pm | Reply
  120. JesterJames

    Or.... just end the state of war with NK. Normalize relations, I know, I know... revolutionary idea of offering peace to get peace. Hey it been known to work before.

    February 18, 2013 at 3:46 am | Reply
  121. Jay Dee

    I expect this guy to continue building nukes until he gets one with a powerful enough load to wipe out a big city, and continue to launch missiles into space like they are conducting routine space maneuvers, all the while preparing for a "Quarterback Sneak" and sending an unsuspected nuclear missile into the USA, while we sit here expecting for it to pass over......until it is too late. This guy is the fox in the hen house.

    February 18, 2013 at 8:19 am | Reply
  122. Rob

    One of CNN's better articles, and like all of the suggestions. Its better than what Obama is doing, which is the typical liberal pacifists, do nothing, and anger nobody cause their so scared to do so. They're so afraid of being criticized war mongering bullies, and afraid of the UN, because we exercise a little pressure to a rouge country that has been able to get away with crimes against its own people and neighboring countries for over 60 years. Another mistake in America's foreign policy that was made in the 50's that still goes against the US today. America is #2 now, where China has become Victorious. Everybody from George HW on, remains at fault for policy towards China.

    February 18, 2013 at 9:45 am | Reply
  123. Brittney

    A blockade will only bring on a war people. How is creating a war going to cause N. Korea to get serious? One thing they will get serious about is answering this as a call for war. Honestly that's not what is needed.

    February 18, 2013 at 10:27 am | Reply
  124. K. Ph-Cambodia

    There are so many comments on this article, good and bad, however, I still want to add one more comment. it's not my idea, it's NorthKorean letter to the wold people: Dear World People:

    For decades, North Korea was threatened by hostile foes with nuclear weapons. With our safety constantly at risk from violent intruders, we asked: How can we possibly defend ourselves? In the immortal words of my dad, the glorious Kim Jong-il: “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke.”

    I sleep safely at night knowing that a loaded nuclear silo is as close as the launch button on my nightstand. And now I understand what Dad, in his genius, instinctively knew: that the world will not be truly safe until every nation has nuclear weapons.

    Perhaps because these weapons are so necessary to our defense, the U.S. government, with its lapdogs at the United Nations, is plotting to take them away from us. But as Dad used to say, “When they come for our nukes….”

    That is why today I am founding the Nuclear Retaliation Association to defend the sovereign right of every nation on the planet to engulf that planet in a hellish inferno. If you join today, we will waive the initiation fee and send you this bumper sticker: “Nuclear weapons don’t kill people. People kill people who don’t have nuclear weapons.”

    Peace out,

    Kim Jong-un

    February 18, 2013 at 10:29 am | Reply
  125. thesaj

    These are ALL flawed and dangerous policies. Only a fool would implement such.

    We need to learn from Cuba. It's been embargoed for 60 years and no change. All the embargo does is let Castros point to evil America for all their problems. Ron Paul was the only politician willing to admit that the embargo is an utter failure. Over half a century and no change.

    Rather, when Fidel passed the torch to his brother, we should have lifted the embargo for 90 days.

    I am of the the opinion, that the way we altered communist China, was with envy and $$$. Same with Russia. People get tired of seeing a world that has, when they have nots.

    So rather that inflicting these embargoes on Cuba and N. Korea. We need to lift them, and allow commodity and luxury goods. When people see what others can and do have, they want for themselves. This increases political pressure.

    Heck, fly over N. Korea and drop some fun luxury goods like old iPhones and Game Boys/Nintendo DS. It'd have far more psychological affect than an embargo.

    February 18, 2013 at 10:31 am | Reply
    • dex

      Now there's some sense. You are absolutely correct in saying it was the money that dragged Russia and China away from Stalinism/Maoism and slowly toward market reform. When this started happening all of the beautiful american goods were showing these people that the west was actually 10 times better then what they'd heard and 5 times better then where they were. I remember a story of a North Korean defecting family recently and they bought with them their very young son. He was obviously far too young too fully understand what was going on and didn't seem to notice all that much difference. Until the reporter shows him angry birds on his Samsung and the kid goes crazy.
      Now that kid I can guarantee you will grow up anti-north.

      February 18, 2013 at 3:27 pm | Reply
  126. DL

    Wonder how we'd react if China had 26,000 troops & an air/naval fleet stationed 100 miles off our shore?
    We were ready to go nuclear w/Russia when they did it in Cuba... yet are amazed by NK's continuing threats & anger towards us.

    February 18, 2013 at 10:32 am | Reply
  127. Chuck,Long Island

    Let them test missles. At the same time we should test 3 of ours. Make sure that we give them the coordinates of where the are going to splash down. The splash down will be about 1/2 mile out side international waters. The missles will be sent from the mid-west. Also let them know the GPS coordinates of thei presidential palaces, military bases and any other places that can be used against us.

    February 18, 2013 at 2:15 pm | Reply
  128. Jd

    It's his great way of making money, those sanctions, bring him more. Beats all the other Don Corleone stuff he does.

    February 18, 2013 at 2:16 pm | Reply
  129. Mike

    I sure hope the world is not counting on the U.S. to support them if things hit the fan with North Korea. Our president (the hero to welfare recipients and unemployment) will be crawled up in the fetal position with a big wet stain on his pants.

    February 18, 2013 at 4:46 pm | Reply
  130. medovuxa

    I think they want to be attacked! Look at Iraq. If we attack them, the apologists will make us rebuild their country and bring them into the 21st century.

    February 18, 2013 at 4:53 pm | Reply
    • clinky

      medovuxa, That's a great insight, the BEST comment I've read here. North Korea is playing a losing game by acting the upstart bully. It's like a little kid who acts out because he wants to be scolded and needs discipline. It's a miserable life when you have no morals, and especially if you have no economic well-being either, like North Korea. They WANT to lose. They WANT the good life of the West. They WANT us to MAKE them join the South.

      February 19, 2013 at 1:58 am | Reply
  131. Don

    Agree with all except point #1 and 2. Joint exercises and stationing an aircraft carrier nearby could exacerbate an already hair trigger situation. I say starve North Korea of food, medicine.

    February 18, 2013 at 5:28 pm | Reply
  132. alligator face

    seven ways?.......heres ONE WAY......24 bunker busters with nukes on standby.

    February 18, 2013 at 5:43 pm | Reply
  133. Jon

    8. Execute a surgical strike on all NK nuclear weapons facilities. Minimum deaths – maximum results.

    February 18, 2013 at 9:16 pm | Reply
  134. f. Daniel Gray

    After all the beating of war drums by uninformed people, and the ludicrous assumptions of their posts, a little realpolitik is in order.

    The fantasy claim of the "isolation" of the DPRK is refuted by the undisputed fact that the nation has relations with 164 other countries. It has embassies in 42. And 25, nations have embassies in Pyongyang, the capitol city. Notwithstanding the unsurprising, China, Russia, there are, for example. Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Brazil, Cuba, Bulgaria, The Czech republic, Germany, Poland, Sweden, UK, Romania, Egypt, Syria. I would say that, probably most of those nations do some kind of material goods exchange with the DPRK. Would our naval "blockade" forbid any nation to do so? Would WE demand that the embassies of those nations in Pyongyang be closed? Or those of the DPRK abroad be closed?

    The only hostilities I recall involving DPRK citizens abroad, involved the members of their women's soccer team at the London Olympics, when they refused to take the field because the flag of South Korea had been raised, even though that team was not scheduled to play. In fact, the team of 51 men and women, won 6 medals. 30 Nations won more. Of those that won any medals at all, over 60 won fewer than 6. for example: Norway, Argentina, Belgium, Finland, Indonesia, Greece, and Portugal. Not too shabby, for a nation, whose population is supposedly all 'starving." and has no knowledge of the "outside" world, no?

    It would be, and is, foolish to underestimate such a nation. Especially so, since its government has managed to persevere for over 60 years. Despite our objection to it doing so. It's not Haiti, Panama, Granada, or Libya. Get it?

    February 18, 2013 at 9:19 pm | Reply
  135. Henry

    what the world should do about North Korea is to leave them alone and not bother them for atleast another 5 decades or more...that way the Regime will have a much broader chance of collapsing in on itself. but as always there should be a contigency plan planned against N. korea should it take military actions before it collapses.
    so for the sake of everyone who is reading this just don't bother with them.....don't give any food aid to N. Korea and don't allow their brightest students to leave the country (hard to tell whos North and whos South coz they speak the same language.) and also just threatning them.
    if you white people have any brains left.....use the old medieval way of "STARVING OUT YOUR ENEMY" that way you'll get good results
    example: food shortages might lead into civil war and might lead to downfall of the North Korean Communist Regime. starving them out might take time but its' bloody damn worth it!

    February 18, 2013 at 10:36 pm | Reply
  136. clinky

    The next time North Korea announces a test launch, give them 24 hours to remove the rocket from the launch area. If they don't comply, fire some missiles to destroy the launch pad and the rocket. That will start to show them we mean business.

    Now, I can already hear the objections. "The North will retaliate and rain down rockets on Seoul." The fact is, North Korea always gets away with moving its nuclear program forward by playing on this fear. Sooner or later, we will have to call their bluff, and sooner is better than later.

    You think North Korea is going to strike Seoul? Seriously? And lose all the little infrastructure they have within a matter of days when we retaliate for hitting our ally? No, I think not. North Korea will kick and scream but do nothing because they can't. They already know they can't. We're the ones who haven't grasped the upper hand we still have left to play. We'll lose it, though, if we let them develop nuclear-tipped rockets of any range.

    February 19, 2013 at 1:24 am | Reply
  137. Frank M.

    Same old responses, same results. I say blockade their ports as mentioned, etc. Screw Russia & China. If we havent figured this dance out yet, oh wait, seems we havent. My bad:)

    February 19, 2013 at 1:34 am | Reply
    • CelestialOne

      Blockading their ports is a declaration of war. I am sure the NK will respond accordingly. Another half-baked idea that will result in an all-out war. The best US can do, stay out of the Korean peninsula. Let the Koreans deal with their own problems. The South Koreans have more than 50 years to prepare for their defense and it is about time the US withdraw their troops from the Korean peninsula.

      February 21, 2013 at 9:56 pm | Reply
  138. KEVIN

    Hi Fareed, how are you doing? CNN is getting boring this weekend. Apparently everybody at CNN took the weekend off. A good political – ideological subject to evaluate is our diff. on how we approach Iran vrs. North Korea on their threats towards the US. Is the World too much fun or what?

    February 19, 2013 at 2:02 am | Reply
  139. Brian

    The UN, or failing that, the US should inform the North Koreans that as their tests are for aggressive not defensive warfare, they must dismantle all facilities under international supervision within 3 months, otherwise they will be destroyed,

    February 19, 2013 at 6:19 am | Reply
    • CelestialOne

      Talking like a child. How is US going to destroy NK? You id!0ts never learn anything from the last Korean War. I cannot blame NK for wanting to testing their nukes especially when there are troublemakers like US in the Korean peninsula.

      February 21, 2013 at 9:48 pm | Reply
  140. kevin

    Rather than doing all those things, how about a different route? Drop all sanctions because they have nuclear technology just like India and Pakistan. Give North Korea a chance to be shielded by Chinese nukes so that they have no need for their own.

    Nowadays we have enough countries with defensive nukes which means no one is willing to use them offensively.

    February 19, 2013 at 6:34 am | Reply
  141. Dan

    Everything costs money, money Obama doesn't have.

    February 21, 2013 at 10:36 pm | Reply
  142. Sarah

    I'm usually not so blunt and undiplomatic but this article and the majority of the responses are written by ignoramuses. The nuclear test is to shore up Kim Jung Un's hold on the country, the upper echelons of the miltary would not be that stupid to actually use nukes against anyone because they know what the response would be. The DPRK has a population of 20 000 000. If it is opened up that one hell of a lot of people that need help – who do you think will take responsibility – South Korea, China?? more likely no one – as the sponsoring country would have to lift most of the country out from pre industrial revolution and 1980s technology (bar the nuclear programme). This isn't a GDR/West Germany situation. As for the various forms of isolating them further etc as listed by the author, the whole ideology is based on self sufficiency, they're not going to care if they are more isolated. The best case scenario is that their natural resources are exploited by China joint ventures and slowly the infrastructure of the country improves, and slowly the North Koreans are exposed to the outside world. Or China offers to make them a province as a previous commentator stated, but as much as there is a "relationship" between the two countries I doubt it'll extend that far. The situation that most North Koreans are in (unknowingly for the most part) is sad and should be dealt with with methods far more sophiscated then blockages and nuclear threats.

    March 3, 2013 at 8:20 am | Reply
  143. Donald

    Warning Warning Warning
    It is a worrisome state – unpredictable yet predictable.

    Q – How many times has North Korea bellowed it threat attack the US? At one point it is shouting wolf – but I believe it will be the wolf and will have to do something really drastic to convince the people he is the man that will now carry out the threat and do it without warning on US and South Korea – This will show his mighty hand – He is dangerously planning another Pearl Harbor but close to his regime where it will be most effective – instead of on us soil. I believe the element of surprise remains on the side of North Korea because he is always threatening and the US are not taking him serious enough. Now with all the cut backs i would not be surprised at all if Korea of some other ally like Iran do some jointly to take advantage of the moment.

    Nothing really has effectively worked with Iran nor North Korea and I fear they call for talks just to gain more time because they both manipulate the US and NATO, United Nations all want to have peace and have delayed the military restraints for so long that Iran probably already have the nukes in place and the military might with North Korea to cause serious damage to any threat from the US, NATO, and the united Nations.

    Beware Beware Beware

    NOT ANOTHER PEARL HARBOR PLEASE -

    Maybe I am just having a bad dream – BUT – Many of my predictions have come true over the years – I am afraid of this one I have seen it several times – North Korea's Warning – Iran's Denial = = The scratch of the match = an astounding surprise and then the aftermath of I told you so – We did not expect it – and the passing of the buck of why a little warning from a comment like this was worth nothing to look at because we on this side of the world – TAKE TOO MUCH FOR GRANTED – and the second Pearl Harbor – repeats itself – Shameful and sad. North Korea and Iran are to countries calling WOLF – BUT THEY MEAN IT – and WE ARE SITTING HERE LIKE DUMMIES THINKING THEY ARE ALL TALK – YET THEY ARE NOT!!!!

    March 3, 2013 at 11:09 pm | Reply
  144. Real politik

    I actually sleep well at night knowing one Trident submarine lurking beneath the surface can wipe out all of North Korea.

    Teddy Roosevelt once said... speak softly but carry a big stick.

    March 12, 2013 at 11:55 pm | Reply
  145. ameriKan

    i plan on leaving ameriKa , aka jewsa will move to north korea, i don't want my social security or pension i paid into after 49 years of working here. do not want my savings account [tens of thousands of dollars] want out want north korea can't stand breathing the air in ameriKa it makes me sick, ggogle joe dresnock my hero and ypo'll understand.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    April 1, 2013 at 4:56 am | Reply
  146. R D Froth

    IMHO the best available solution would be for China to annex,by force, North Korea. After removal of Kim and the top military brass China could install new leadership as they have done in Laos, Hong Kong and Singapore. NK's military to be reduced to a national police force under the control of the Chinese military. I do not advocate Chinese expansion in any manner except for this situation. It would signal the end of any possible Korean reunification which is sad but far better than another, much more devastating, Korean war. I do not see any other reasonable solution.

    April 1, 2013 at 8:07 am | Reply
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    May 12, 2013 at 9:33 pm | Reply

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