This has reference to the alarming news report that of North Korea’s belligerency toward its neighbor South Korea. The 29-year-old North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has been in power for just about 16 months after his father’s death and should be focused on improving the economic conditions of his people.
Instead he is indulging in unnecessary saber rattling, threatening the peace in the region.
South Korea has transformed itself from being an aid recipient to a donor country within a generation. At the end of the Korean War during 1950-53, between South Korea and North Korea, South Korea’s annual per capita income was a mingy $ 67. Today, South Korea is one of the world’s largest economies with a per capita GDP of around $ 22,000.
South Korea could exceed Japan’s per capita income in future. North Korea’s per capita GDP stagnates at $ 2,000. This is the agenda for Kim Jong-un — improve the economy.
The young man should realize that his belligerency and threats would invite a major reaction from South Korea and its ally, the US, which could cripple North Korea. This is not a schoolboy scuffle. If Kim Jong-un, wants to garner some strength and popularity within his country, he should focus on development. — Rajendra K. Aneja, Dubai
North Korea’s belligerency
