------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the July 29, 2004 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
EDITORIAL: HANDS OFF KOREA
U.S. imperialism's invasion of Iraq was a world-class crime. To limit its damage, working people here and especially the anti-war movement must learn its lessons and apply them elsewhere. For example, Korea.
U.S. politicians, pundits and media are calling the Democratic People's Republic of Korea--North Korea--a nuclear threat; it is a charter member of Bush's "axis of evil." They also slander and demonize the DPRK's leader, Kim Jong Il. Those who preside over the most destructive arsenal the world has ever seen describe the DPRK's concern over its security as "paranoia" and act shocked when it arms to defend itself.
Sound familiar? Maybe like Iraq in 2002. This alone should put everyone on the alert. It should make people question the authorities here, and look for alternate sources of news every time an avalanche of media attacks falls on the DPRK or its leaders.
Washington keeps over 30,000 troops in South Korea 51 years after a war in which the Pentagon bombed the north flat. Washington has refused to even talk about a peace agreement with the north for all these years. Only a cease-fire exists. Socialist North Korea also faces U.S. economic sanctions.
Right now Bush's Iraq policy is under fire. Genuine opposition to the occupation comes from the grassroots, but leading Democrats criticize how the war was conducted even as they pledge to "stay the course."
In order to still appeal to the military-minded, they are bundling their criticism of Bush's handling of Iraq with warnings that the "real danger" is from North Korea. Bill Clinton was just in the Netherlands promoting his book; he called the DPRK "a bigger threat than Iraq." John Kerry agrees. These pronouncements shouldn't be seen only as bluster. In February 2003, as the Pentagon was preparing to invade Iraq, it also readied 24 long-range B-52 and B-1 bombers targeted on the DPRK. (Sydney Morning Herald, Feb. 5, 2003)
The DPRK has indicated it would fight like hell should the U.S. attack. This seems the only way to keep the rapacious Pentagon off balance, and the anti-war forces here should understand that.
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