North Korea shells South Korea, soldiers injured

Things of this nature have happened before, but dare I say "On like Donkey Kong?"

 

Edged me at the wire, NOLU. Yeah, seems the North just ain't gonna be happy until someone shows them their pimp hand.

 

Of course, I flipped on the TV just now and NONE OF THE NEWS NETWORKS have broken in with live coverage.

 

http://www.livestation.com/channels/3-al_jazeera_english

Live coverage...

South Korean solider killed according to Al Jazeera.

 

Does North Korea really have that many friends to watch its back? It's not like the Middle East where every move has 100 ways for it to go really badly.
I'm thinking the latest moves indicate that NoKor has a new defacto leader and KimIlJung might not be calling the shots anymore and the new guy is trying to show what a badass he is.

 

It's nice to know the 24/7 news cycle takes a break now and then on the cable nets when - you know - some real news happens.

 

More than likely it's the North just using nearby South Korean drills as an excuse to chuck a few rounds at villagers. Two hundred shells does seem excessive though.

Would hate to be working the DMZ on either side about now.

 

It has China in its corner, apparently come hell or high water, and it feels that's enough these days.

There might be some rogue general starting a push for power. More likely, though, is the Appointed Son and his advisers feel the need to show his credentials on the South issue. From what I've read, there are factions in the North's leadership that are not convinced of the leader-in-waiting's leadership ability and may feel compelled to make their move. If memory serves, Kim Jong-il had three or four years during which to consolidate his power, but Kim Jong-un may not have that long.

 

Of course, it might also be a giant hand-waving routine to distract attention from its new nuclear reactor. The North only has so many clubs in its bag, after all.


EDIT: Updates here -- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2010/nov/23/north-korea-fires-south-korea

 

They want to be invaded?

 

Hopefully Obama is on line one with China trying to figure out if they are cool with this.

 

Remember, MSNBC and Fox were showing repeats when the levees broke in New Orleans. All you need to know about their priorities.