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Post by Admin on Jan 22, 2018 2:26:20 GMT
Alex is the administrator this week
Original posts by Thursday at 11:59pm
Two Peers responses by the start of Class on Monday, January 29th
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Post by Alex Aspinall on Jan 22, 2018 13:38:20 GMT
Express.com /www.express.co.uk/news/world/891452/North-Korea-news-World-War-3-Donald-Trump-Kim-Jong-un CNN www.cnn.com/2018/01/17/asia/north-south-korea-olympics-flag-intl/index.htmlNew York Times www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/world/asia/north-south-korea-olympics.htmlLos Angeles Times www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-sp-koreas-olympic-team-20180117-story.html After decades of relative silence North and South Korea have opened up their first diplomatic negotiations. During these discussions North and South Korea agreed to compete under the same flag in this years winter olympics, in South Korea. The Korean ski team will also be training in North Korea, despite members being South Korean. Do you think this is one of the first steps towards a unified Korea? Or do you think this could be a North Korean plot? How do you think athletes on both sides will be received by their counterparts? Do you think other competing nations will protest the participation of North Korea? How do you think Russia will react, as they are barred from competing under their own flag, while North Korea is allowed to enter despite constant nuclear threat. |
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Post by Sarah Shumaker on Jan 24, 2018 15:58:58 GMT
The debates between North and South Korea have been ongoing for decades, what has suddenly changed? I do not think this will be a long term thing as North and South Korea have tried to unify to compete or at least walk together during the Olympics. As stated in the New York Times article, the leader of South Korea was on board for unification, but Kim Jong-un never agreed. Personally, based off my knowledge of this corrupt leader, Kim Jong-un probably has something up his sleeve. He was never on board with unification, so suddenly changing his mind is sketchy. I think the people of North and South Korea will be hesitant at first, but will soon be accepting of their counterparts despite having different views and values. They were once a united country, being united again is probably a common goal among North and South. However, discussions about North Korea coming together with already existing teams and participants may cause some trouble. North Korea is allowed to compete with the already existing hockey team from South Korea, but it may cause problems with who will be allowed in the allotted spots. There is talk, as stated in the New York Times article, that says that there will be a bigger roster allowed so South Korean team members don't have to bow out. Do you think allowing more spaces for competitors from North Korea unfair since now they will have a bigger team?
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Post by Derek on Jan 25, 2018 1:24:09 GMT
As big of a step this is and also as great as a step this is the guard should not be let down by the world of North Korea. I could see this being a plot because North Korea is the weaker nation so somehow someway they could be using this to become more friendly and get close enough to countries like South Korea and the United States to form an attack. The best guess for this sudden change in attitude by North Korea that I read was by former Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono. Kono said "I believe that North Korea wants to buy some time to continue their nuclear and missile programs," Kono said at the meeting. "It's not the time to ease pressure towards North Korea." with the threats North Korea gives out this seems to good to be true so Taro Kono has made the best prediction so far. It makes the most sense because Kim jong urn has to be very angry because Donald Trump has always one upped North Korea’s nuclear threats and especially in a smart disrespectful matter. Donald Trump has numerously called Kim jong un “rocket man”. The only way to tell wat will happen is with time so all we can do is wait and see.
Do you agree with Taro Kong’s quote?
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Post by Wolinski on Jan 25, 2018 23:09:25 GMT
"Both Koreas are primarily utilizing the talks for a limited objective -- arranging the participation of a North Korean delegation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics”
This quote seems to sum up the situation pretty well. The Olympics appear to be creating a false sense of good feelings between the two nations and as a result, will create an even bigger problem once they are over. While it may appear as though the two Koreas are actively trying to find a solution for the building tensions on the peninsula, it really is just a rouse. As the CNN article pointed out, no matter how the games or talks go, North Korea has no intention of backing down its nuclear program. This doesn't make much sense to me though. If the point of bringing North and South Korea together in the Olympics was to lessen threats of nuclear war, then why are we still bothering when they obviously aren't going to change? It’s almost like when people get into a relationship knowing it won’t turn out well. South Korea is getting into a relationship with North Korea, yet there is no hope for it to work out the way they want it to.
Another sticking point for me is how the South Korean athletes feel about a joint Olympic team. These individuals have spent their entire lives waiting for a chance to play for their country at the highest level. With the joint team, some athletes will miss out on this opportunity. Personally, if I were to have worked as hard as they have, I would be incredibly upset. There is a line which needs to be drawn in order to satisfy both the needs of athletes and diplomats. To haphazardly make decisions like this without discussing with athletes creates an atmosphere around the teams which is counteractive to their mission.
My only question is do you think this unification mission would have been undertaken had the Olympics not been in South Korea this year?
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Post by Erin Reimers on Jan 26, 2018 3:55:58 GMT
North and South Korea have had strenuous tensions since the split of the peninsula as a result of the Korean War. South Korea has since taken the form of a democratic government and is one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world. In North Korea however they have formed into what one could consider the complete opposite. They have taken a dictatorial approach once the war ended, largely fueled by communism. They boast of having an advanced nuclear program and that their main target is the United States. Talks have been quite rare between the two countries for the past couple of years, if any. Recently however, with the Olympics approaching and South Korea as the host, high ranking officials from both countries have initiated a talk between each other at their border. North Korea has decided to participate in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in just a few weeks. This has stirred great controversy as North Korea was predicted to opt out at the Olympics this year, being that the host was one of their main enemies. Many people believe this decision to be a result from the want of finally unifying the country at last which includes reuniting families that have been torn apart from the war. Others believe however that this was not a step to indeed lessen tensions between the two countries but to instead further develop their nuclear program without scrutinization. This surprising move by North Korea could indeed be because they want to lessen tensions but it can not be ignored that the decision could have been made out of desperation. As the Foreign Minister of Japan states, “It is not the time to ease pressure or to reward North Korea. The fact that North Korea is engaging in dialogue could be interpreted as proof that the sanctions are working.” North Korea has also proposed not only to participate in the Olympics but to also march together with South Korea in the opening ceremony and form a united girls’ hockey team. While most of the reactions have been positive of the prospects of working together in the Olympics, some have criticized that it would be unfair to the South Korean athletes who are much more adept than their counterparts and would not want to be dragged down with them. Despite people’s political stance or nationality, North Korea’s decision should not be viewed by the mainstream perspective but be open to people’s own interpretation as while there are many obvious positives, there are hidden dark motivations.
Do you believe that North Korea’s decision to participate in the Olympics was for the sole purpose of easing tensions with South Korea or is there something more sinister behind their motives?
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Post by Mr. Williams on Jan 26, 2018 3:57:27 GMT
Have you ever made a recipe and it’s one of your favorites so you know how to do it well but as its cooking you remember you forgot a special ingredient? Well this is how I feel about North and South Korea right now. Knowing that South Korea and North Korea came together doesn’t seem like a bad idea but it feels like there has to be something missing. According to Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono he said "I believe that North Korea wants to buy some time to continue their nuclear and missile programs," which if you think about it then it makes sense because North Korea could be using South Korea to get to different countries so they can make a move and attack. Like South Korea and North Korea has been talking about getting together for long time now and all of a sudden they choose now to get close? Ummmmm… there has to be something to this. Also this case about these two countries getting together hasn’t had people thinking about what’s going on but it has affected the lives of professional athletes like Olympians. Like athletes and fans are starting to worry about them coming together because they think there maybe a plan to blow things up so they think their lives are in danger affecting the way some of them may perform.
So in reality is South Korea and North Korea coming together more of a good thing or a bad thing?
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Post by Mr. Williams on Jan 26, 2018 4:04:49 GMT
@derek I do agree with it because its hard for North Korea to get to other countries for instance the US so they need other ways to be able to get closer and I think they are just using South Korea
@chase I don't think so because the Olympics is a reason why South Korea gets close to the US so if they could join forces they could get closer other than that I don't think they would have even thought about joining each other
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Post by Autumn Painter on Jan 26, 2018 4:50:13 GMT
North and South Korea marching under the same flag for this years Olympic games is a questionable but interesting decision. However, I don’t think this is a step towards a unified Korea. It seems as if the negotiations between North and South Korea are solely for entertainment purposes. For example, the CNN article states that, “The two countries have marched under the flag before, in rare shows of unity, first at the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships, and at a number of sporting events since.” All of the efforts of negotiation are for sporting events. They have marched under the same flag before and they still have not grown too much closer to a unified Korea. Therefore, how would this be considered a step towards a unified Korea? Is there anything different about this situation? In a way, competitive sports bring people together. Both North and South Korea bond over sports. Once the Olympics are over, the common territory of sports North and South Korea share will be gone and things will go back to the way they were, as they have before. South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha states, “Despite these overtures to improve relations with the South, North Korea has yet to show any intention to fulfill its international obligations regarding denuclearization.” If even the Foreign Minister of South Korea questions North Korea’s loyalty and motives, why shouldn’t we?
Do you agree with North and South Korea’s method of trying to use sports as an avenue for reconciliation?
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Post by Admin on Jan 26, 2018 13:00:46 GMT
For future reference, this is what a quality Original response looks like. It is from Maya French in period 5/6 responding to their discussion board regarding Iran and Nuclear Weapons.
In one of the discussion questions it asks if the other countries involved in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) should “team up with the US to resolve the flaws in the pact or just let the US leave?” The issue with either of these ideas is that there are, legally, no flaws occuring. BBC news reports that in the deal “Iran's uranium stockpile is set to be reduced by 98% to 300kg (660lbs) for 15 years. It must also keep its level of enrichment at 3.67%.” and that “By January 2016, Iran had drastically reduced the number of centrifuges installed at Natanz and Fordo, and shipped tonnes of low-enriched uranium to Russia.” On every account, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has cleared Iran for operating perfectly within limits set by the JCPOA. So in reality there is no “fixing” that can occur. It seems to me that Trump is using the wrong language when speaking about his plans and wants. He does not want to fix what Iran is breaking, he wants to rewrite the terms within the deal itself to better suot what he deems to be right. When Trump discusses his views, his train of thought is a bit scattered to follow. Beauchamp for Vox quoted Trump as saying “They are not in compliance with the agreement and they certainly are not in the spirit of the agreement in compliance...I think you’ll see some very strong things taking place if they don’t get themselves in compliance”. He appears to be covering his true intent behind poorly stated excuses with no real evidence to support them. Every article pointed out the Trump’s Administration had provided no real evidence to back their claims and that there was, in fact, staggering evidence against them. These concealing actions have the possibility of ending in utter disaster. Michelle Nichols wrote for Town Hall stating “Iran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes and that it will stick to the accord as long as the other signatories respect it, but will "shred" the deal if Washington pulls out.” Iran has made its intentions clear, no strings attached. Many of Trump’s advisors are against his plan to drop out from the JCPOA but he appears to be bullheaded on his choice and there is a slim chance of him backing down from his claims. The other countries, any of which are allies, who are also in the JCPOA will lose their trusting relationship with the US if Trump continues on the path of destruction. In a world that has been pushed towards war for the last few decades, this could be the beginning of the end. The globs eyes are on the actions of one, stubborn, selfish man who is speaking for a country, the majority of which disagrees with his views.
What do you think could be Trump’s ulterior motive?
If you don’t believe there is more to this decision than what meets the eye, argue why Trump is being just in his actions.
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Post by Sarah Shumaker on Jan 26, 2018 13:14:04 GMT
@autumn I like your response and your use of information from the sources, but regarding your question, I do not agree with their method of trying to use sports as an avenue for reconciliation. Like the CNN article says, they have marched together before, so just stepping it up to competing together isn't a way to reunify. They are just trying to look good against other countries, and the unified Korea will most likely split again after the Olympics are complete.
@derek I think Taro Kong's quote is justified and I agree with it. North Korea is not nearly as strong as South Korea especially since it is allies with the United States. A sudden shift of heart from North Korea seems unlikely and with the Olympics coming up, it seems like they are planning something far beneath the surface.
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Post by Derek on Jan 26, 2018 16:59:04 GMT
@erin It seems to good to be true that the North Koreans want to ease tensions. I think over time we will find out that it was just for another reason.
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Post by Derek on Jan 26, 2018 17:00:57 GMT
@wolinski Your question is very good. You would think that with the Olympics being in South Korea had to help North Korea make the decision to participate.
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Post by Autumn Painter on Jan 29, 2018 2:52:17 GMT
@mr.Williams I don't think North and South Korea coming together is a good thing. It seems like there could be a lot of potential consequences. I feel like there is always some sort of hidden agenda for people doing things. For example, North Korea may gain something for joining forces with South Korea which leads to Erin's question..
@erin I don't think North Korea's sole purpose for participating in the Olympics with South Korea is to ease tension. I think North Korea has a hidden agenda. North Korean leader is thirsty for power, and I think he feels the closer he gets to South Korea, the easier it would be to manipulate them. If that were to happen, they would be stronger together and have more power. Although we will never know North Korea's true motives
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Post by Erin Reimers on Jan 29, 2018 4:31:26 GMT
@autumn By North Korea using sports as a reconciliation towards South Korea it begs the question of whether or not they are doing this out of sincerity or hidden motives. To the general public it can be seen as a kind move but people should not forget of the tough sanctions being put upon North Korea by the majority of the rest of the globe. North Korea is most likely using the Olympics to either bide time for their nuclear program or to get some relief on the suffocating sanctions.
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