Quote:There are a few things to consider here.  If North Korea escalates this into an all out conflict, we are compelled to be involved due to treaty obligations not only with South Korea, but Japan as well.  Also, if it breaks out into a major conflict, there is a very good possibility that not only China but Russia would get involved.

 

Now consider this.  If South Korea and Japan are involved in a conflict that also involves China and Russia, what is that going to do to our current weakened economy?

You're catastrophizing, and your answer seems to assume that China and Russia want World War III to break out. That's really the heart of all of this: just because the USSR is no more doesn't mean that the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction went with them. If a nuclear war were to break out, no one would win. For that reason, any efforts to launch a full-scale attack by one Korea or the other would be swiftly met by a firm slap across the face from their own allies and an order to knock it off or risk losing support.

 

My original point still stands. North and South Korea prodding at each other by lobbing crap across the border is nothing new. It happens, the two sides posture for a couple of days, then everyone goes on about their day. As much as North Korea hates the existence of South Korea (and vice versa), neither side is dumb enough to start World War III.

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