Is North Korea America's Problem?

How Does The U.S. Solve A Problem Like North Korea? -- Time Magazine

From Pearl Harbor to the Gulf of Tonkin, the Pacific has a history of naval incidents that have drawn the U.S. into war. That's why the crackling tensions that have followed the sinking of the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan in the Yellow Sea last March have many observers worried. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, whose isolated regime has been blamed for sinking the corvette and killing 46 South Korean sailors, is ailing, and concerns over his succession — and the desperate social conditions in which he keeps his people — create a dangerous tinderbox.

Read more ....

My Comment: The following quote from a former American Ambassador accurately sums up our relationship with North Korea ....

North Korea has followed the mafia model: "If you don't give me some money, I'll throw a brick through your window." I don't think they're going to get any money, but the key question is: do the North Koreans know that?

--Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Tom Schieffer, speculating Pyongyang expects its recent provocations to be rewarded with concessions from other nations. (Hat Tip: Global Security Newswire)

The cupboard is bear, and with the U.S. running trillion dollar plus deficits .... a handout to North Korea is not going to happen. In the end, it will be the Koreans (both South and North) who will settle their differences. Like West and East Germany .... when the walls fell down .... it was Germans (not the Americans or Soviets) who settled and defined their relationship. The same will eventually happen with the Koreans .... it will be the Koreans (not the Chinese, Americans, or Japanese) who will settle their differences. But when that day will come .... that is anyone's guess.