A Case for a Humanitarian

Military Intervention
in North Korea
Jon Camp
Niagara College

#4245593
Professor Stortz
COMM1133
Due October 30th

For half a century, North Korea has cast a dark dark and menacing shadow over
southeast Asia. The western powers (South Korea, The United States of America,
Canada, Germany) should pursue a military intervention in North Korea. Being a
recently nuclear-capable rogue state, The Democratic People's Republic of Korea poses
a constant threat to all of southeast Asia. As well, currently the western powers possess
an enormous technological advantage over north korea in every way. Finally, there is an
abundance of evidence and first-hand accounts to show that the DPRK's government is
abusing the rights of its people.
The western powers have known for some time now that North Korea has been
developing nuclear weapons. For example, in 2006 the DPRK launched its first
underground nuclear bomb test. [1] Ever since, North Korea has been testing missles
and warheads. As well, the government of the DPRK has engaged in a game of perilous
nuclear brinkmanship with South Korea and its western allies. North Korea's deadly
nuclear arsenal will only grow with time. Now is the time to strike, before their weapons
stockpile grows too large to safely deal with.
Each major western nation has the training, technology, and numbers to decisively
conquer North Korea single-handedly. North Korea's military, while numerous and
radical, is too poorly fed, inexperienced, and poorly equipped to overcome such an
enormous disadvantage. The DPRK's military hardware consists largely of obsolete
Soviet and Chinese equipment. [1] While modern militaries deal in predator drones and
stealth fighters, North Korea's equipment does not possess the ability to detect, let alone
engage such effective war machines. It is well within the grasp of western powers to
interdict in North Korea and put a stop to what the government is doing to its people.
For decades, North Korea has been committing atrocities on its people while the
civilized world has stood by and watched. Take Shin Dong-Hyuk, for example. He was
born in a North Korean prison camp. He lived in it for his whole life up until his escape
at 23. He was subjected to constant torment by the guards, and forced to watch public
executions. However, As frightening as the executions were, Shin considered them a
break from the monotony of hard labour. [3] Food shortages are very common in North
Korea, to the point that They were so hungry, they ate rats and insects to survive.
Those with the ability to stop and knowledge of this abuse cannot stand idly by and
watch it happen.
North Korea poses a threat to everything around it. Its nuclear arsenal is slowly growing
but their military is trivial compared to that of the western power, and they are abusing
their people. If those in power stand by and watch while the DPRK functions like it
does, when eventually the Koreas are re-unified, future generations will remember those
with the means to stop this as callous fools.

References
[1] Y. Cho, Method to the madness of Chairman Kim: The instrumental
rationality of North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons, International Journal,
vol 69, no. 1, pp. 5, March 2014 [Online]. Available: Galegroup [Accessed: 28,
Sept. 2014]
[2] D. Liang-Fenton, Failing to protect: Food shortages and prison camps in
North Korea Asian Perspective, vol. 31, no.2, pp 47-74, Nov 2007 [Online]
Available: Proquest [Accessed Sept. 28, 2014]
[3]A. Cooper, North Korean prisoner escaped after 23 brutal years
CBSNews.com [Online] Available: CBSNews [Accessed Sept 28, 2014]