[komitsuki]

Originally Posted by Goku

Ok, so you're one of the many that believes North Korea is as good as its word.

Nope. Just try to ignore North Korea at best. I'm one of those people who thinks "don't not criticize North Korea and do not ever praise North Korea. Try to ignore NK without directly offending it".

On the China subject. China may be one of the few countries around with good relations with the North Koreans, but I think we can safely assume its all about self interest and not any kind of shared ideology (consider the Sino-Soviet relationship or lack thereof during the Cold War).

The Sino-Soviet Split brought very negative impressions to China, the Chinese government and Maoism to North Korea.

Did you know that Kim Il Sung actively persecuted pro-Chinese North Koreans?

China has defended the North Korean regime in the past and mocked any talk of attempts to topple it. In my opinion however, it fears that scenario not because it's an ally, but because it understands what happens to countries, particularly unstable ones, when political systems fail (the fighting in the Balkans, the former Soviet Union, Iraq and a lot of the old European colonies after WWII are good examples). The last thing China wants is a country collapsing on its border and having to deal with refugees and responsibility for stabilising it again (given China's own internal problems).

Why would China defend North Korea whose Juche government undermines Chinese contribution to North Korea?

Of course, China doesn't defend North Korea's regime when it is actually defending itself from a possible crisis by Kim Jong Il.

China may not be a democracy, but its future depends very much on regional stability and continuing economic development, which in turn relies heavily on the import of energy and other resources. It won't be in any hurry to defend North Korea after the excrement has hit the fan. No doubt it would be very vocal beforehand tho.

Forget about Western-style democracy in China. China's approach to a democracy-like public outreach will never be a typical democracy that we are familiar of.

Democracy doesn't work in South Korea btw.

The only reason why China is supporting North Korea is because China do NOT want to deal with North Koreans living illegally. And also the collapse of North Korea will bring bad influence to China and South Korea (SK is China's important trading partner).

Originally Posted by Ronin4hire

I'd hardly call their relationship brotherly...

I merely respond to Tenchu's analogy. Read Tenchu's reply. I wouldn't say the same profanity you used towards me about "learn to read".