Panelists answered the question: Is North Korea a serious threat to national security?
Richard Place: “No I don’t. I think it’s more of problem for the United Nations who they broke the treaty with. Now if the United Nations would worry more about the problem of Korea and less about trying to change our planning, zoning and gun laws, it would be better for all involved.”
Bill Mifsud: “Yes. you have to take them seriously. It is a nation that suppresses its own people and with nuclear capability it is wise to keep one eye on them always. They also have the world’s fourth largest army in terms of manpower.”
Nants Foley: “Though I think we face more serious national threats, I would never underestimate anyone or anything with nuclear capabilities.”
Marty Richman: “Yes; it’s like living next door to a psychopath who collects hand grenades. We can hope they are not homicidal or suicidal, but here is always the chance they will go off the deep end either intentionally or by miscalculation.”
Ruth Erickson: “North Korea is actually a serious international security threat!”
Mary Zanger: “No. What I do worry about though is the behavior of our own country. We routinely schedule military combat exercises in the East China Sea with the South Korean military. Let’s put the shoe on the other foot. How would we feel if the North Korean military practiced war games in the Gulf of Mexico? Not very friendly and threatening, is it? I think now is the time for our country to give up managing the world and behave like a normal country.”
