BY LEONARD ADREON
If it is confirmed by credible intelligence sources that North Korea has developed and can launch intercontinental missiles with nuclear warheads, we have reached a crisis point requiring action. We have wasted too many decades waiting for sanctions and UN resolutions to work. There is no more time to waste.
The best and, possibly, the only hope for a peaceful solution, is through China, which is the only country with the influence and power over Kim Jong-Un to stop the madness that could cause a conflagration of massive proportions. Kim Jong-Un has said he is developing a nuclear program is to assure his country is safe from an attack. China can confirm to Kim Jong-Un that China will protect North Korea from an attack, provided they dismantle their nuclear and missile programs.
It has been stated by the United States that regime change is not our objective. South Korea is in no position to take over North Korea. If China continues to be a trading partner with North Korea and assures their safety against an attack, then Kim Jong-Un has no reason to continue his nuclear ambitions. The severe sanctions can be lifted if verifiable dismantling is agreed to.
It has to be made clear to Kim Jung-Un that he is on a self-destructive path to oblivion. And this is the most feasible avenue to a non-violent solution to this crisis.
If China cannot, or will not, negotiate with North Korea then we must be prepared to take action before Kim Jung-Un can pull the trigger and launch his missiles.
The next and best alternative solution is for Kim Jong-Un to be removed from power from within North Korea by moderate forces, if they exist. This coup effort can and should be fostered by covert actions.
If that is not doable, then a coalition of nations vulnerable to an attack by North Korean intercontinental missiles must stop North Korea by a massive attack from the air on the artillery that threatens Seoul and their missile bases and deployments. We have the air power with missiles, drones, bombers and more to make this happen.
This, of course, is a last resort and is the most dangerous option. However, it a better option than to let the missiles fly toward Japan, Australia, Guam, Hawaii and possibly the United States.
I have a personal interest in seeing that we finally put an end to the threats of the menace who calls the shots in North Korea. In 1951, I was with the 1st Marine Division at the 38th Parallel in Korea. I crawled up the blood soaked hills, fighting against the Chinese army that interceded in the Korean War and sent hundreds of thousands of troop across the Yalu River onto the Korean Peninsula. China’s intrusion in that war heavily contributed to the deaths of 36,000 American servicemen, the 103,000 wounded and the 7,799 who are still listed as missing in action.
We need to make it clear to South Korea that we will not fight another bloody war to save their country again from the North. I believe they need to mobilize and build a military force that is adequate to stop another North Korean invasion. Our 28,000 troops cannot change the outcome against a million-man army from the North. We have been stationed on the peninsula too long. It’s time to plan the withdrawal of our troops and abandon our plans for a multi-billion dollar permanent base in Korea.
We should help South Korea prepare missiles, tanks, planes and whatever armaments are needed, but never again put troops on the ground. Enough blood has been shed, enough pain inflicted. It is distressing and disturbing that we find ourselves in this impossible situation. I implore those in power to find the answer and act now.
