Tango01 | 17 Feb 2018 10:21 p.m. PST |
"In the summer of 1950, the Korean People's Army came tantalizingly close to rolling up U.N. forces on the Korean peninsula. Only a heroic defense around Pusan prevented a total victory for North Korea, thus allowing Gen. Douglas MacArthur's war-changing invasion at Inchon. But what if North Korean forces had prevailed? What would Korea — and by extension the rest of Asia — look like today? North Korea could have won the war in one of three ways. First, if the United States had decided not to intervene, the KPA would have rolled up South Korean forces and taken Pusan, likely ending the war. Second, even after the deployment of U.S. and U.N. forces to South Korea, the situation remained touch-and-go…" Main page link Amicalement Armand |
Legion 4 | 17 Feb 2018 11:58 p.m. PST |
It would look just like North Korea does today. But the entire peninsula would be under the Kim family dynasty. Little Rocket Man is not a new player on the Korean block. His daddy was pretty much a copy of his grand daddy. The founder of the whole NoKo commie dictatorship. Served 22 months with a forward deployed 2ID Mech Bn in the ROK, '84-'85. With two tours on the DMZ. The only thing that has really changed, beside the fat kid with the bad haircut replaced his commie dictator daddy with a bad haircut after he died. Is this round in the Korean Peninsula ring is the Nokos are much closer than ever before having deployable nucs. Plus some in the South again think they can talk to Kim 3.0. And actually make some difference in the Kim Dynasty's plans/wishes/desires. Wanting a unified Korea … but under their tyrannical self serving "leadership". From an economic standpoint, the ROK is pretty much a powerhouse in world trade arena. Under the another Kim, they wouldn't be anything close. Many in the South also know, if the South and North somehow were united. It would be similar to what happened with the Germanys after the USSR became Russia, again. The ROK could probably almost go bust, trying to rebuild the North and bring them into the 21st Century. Short answer, nothing good would come from a Korea under the Kims' rule. As I'm sure his sister would be no better than with her fat brother Un. If she were in charge. Regardless what some in the media think who seem to be quite "taken" with Un's "charming" little sis … Plus as a side bar, the UN would look even less effective than it already appears today. If all of Korea was under the Kims' control. |
cosmicbank | 18 Feb 2018 12:13 a.m. PST |
K-Pop would sound way different. KIA's would never had been made, And Japan wouldn't have had to be so ashamed of the Comfort Women (because no one would talk about it) |
Max Schnell | 18 Feb 2018 10:03 a.m. PST |
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USAFpilot | 18 Feb 2018 2:44 p.m. PST |
The question made me think about another Asian country. Substitute Vietnam in place of Korea in the question. What if North Vietnam had prevailed in the Vietnam war? Well, they did. And many people in the South were brutally treated. Vietnam became united under communism and in time became stable under a certain peace. Most of its people live in poverty except for a few elites. Communism is a failed system and they know it. Slowly capitalism is making headway in the county. The question for the future is will the Vietnamese people enjoy personal freedom? |
Tango01 | 18 Feb 2018 2:51 p.m. PST |
Manybe… the visión of "personal freedom" is not the same to a Asian as to Americans/Europeans… Amicalement Armand |
Fatman | 18 Feb 2018 6:40 p.m. PST |
USAFpilot "many people in the South were brutally treated." "Most of its people live in poverty except for a few elites." So no change from how they lived under democratic South Vietnam? Not understanding the social structures of the region was the main reason the US lost in the first place. Vietnam is changing, much slower than it would have if the South had't fallen but it is changing. Fatman |
USAFpilot | 18 Feb 2018 7:35 p.m. PST |
Fatman, yes true. Still poor before and after, but biggest change was that people who supported the US were killed or sent to re-education. In retrospect, Vietnam would be much further along if the war ended sooner and the war would have ended sooner if the US pulled out sooner. Once all foreign powers were out of Vietnam, it could achieve its own destiny. Change is slow, but inevitable if the nation is to thrive. Capitalism takes root in communist regimes, and things change until the commies take over again. Ying and Yang. |
Gennorm | 19 Feb 2018 2:07 p.m. PST |
Had the North won I wouldn't be watching the Winter Olympics in Korea on a Samsung tv while typing this. |
Legion 4 | 20 Feb 2018 9:04 a.m. PST |
Not understanding the social structures of the region was the main reason the US lost in the first place. I wouldn't say the main reason but certainly one of the many. And it is all very complex to try to explain many things about the US War in SE Asia, IMO. As I mentioned on another thread. IMO one of the seminal works about the US/SEATO War in Vietnam was recently aired on US TV. A very good documentary series produced by Ken Burns. Who also did very good documentary series in the '90 about the ACW. Also a seminal work on that topic. Both worth watching, IMO. Vietnam is changing, much slower than it would have if the South had't fallen but it is changing. Indeed, a few years ago, the USA lifted it's decades long arms embargo. More to upset the Chinese that support the Vietnamese. But still … that is big change. However, I have Not seen any shipments of US Helicopters, trucks, Fighter-Bombers, MBTs, IFVs, FA, etc., being sent to Vietnamese military … yet … And Thanks John Snelling … I found the 22 months I spent with the US Army in the ROK, '84-'85 very enlightening, etc. And try to keep up with what is going on in that region.
Plus having been in ROTC, '75-'79 then on active duty with many that served in Vietnam. I learned many good lessons, etc.,. Some I used thru out my time as an Infantry Officer serving in 1 Air Assault Bn and then 3 Mech Bns. |
Fatman | 21 Feb 2018 4:13 a.m. PST |
Legion 4 Yes the Burns series were excellent. However has he ever produced a bad one? One of the biggest causes of change in Vietnam is the "Veteran Dollars" money spent by US veterans and their families visiting the country. Fatman |
Legion 4 | 21 Feb 2018 9:31 a.m. PST |
I agree, AFAIK Burns never produced a bad one ! Vietnam and the US do a bit of business back and forth. With tourism being one of them. E.g. The crutches I got from the Veteran's Admin Clinic were made in Vietnam … There are a number of Vietnam Vets at the VA clinics and hospitals. I have not heard any feedback. But if you need crutches … I know didn't really care who made them at the time ! |
Mithmee | 08 Mar 2018 9:26 p.m. PST |
Well I would be a bit ticked off since how would I have been able to meet my wife of nearly 38 years. Though the North would have never won, so this is mute point. |