I suppose Russia and China might not be pleased at all. We don't want a 3rd world war, do we. That little moron, Kim wotisname seems a bit childish seeing how far he can push US. Need to get China on the act with trade sanctions against North Korea.
I don't think trade sanctions will work in a country where the leadership is willing to see its people starve and die so that the 'greater good' (in the leaders' eyes) prevail. The elimination of 'The Fat One' by one of his own close personnel or an attack by China from the north seems the best solutions. I hope the US would accept the latter IF China assures them it will withdraw again but create a buffer zone between a new united Korea and itself. This new united Korea would be a far better trading partner for China than is North Korea. The reason this might not happen is the Chinese are worried their people will see liberty being given to those under dictatorship and it might give them ideas.
Interesting point about collateral damage. Lots of high tech companies in South Korea whose products are used by rest of the world.
Making threats = Bravado Not carrying out those threats = Weakness 'The Fat Boy' should try to think first. In his case, carrying out those threats = Gross Stupidity. Perhaps we have just witnessed a weakness.
I work in Korea and none of my staff are worried about the bravado going back and forth, though I do have a friend working in Japan that says folks are tripping a bit there. I personally have no worries. Shawn
It remains to be seen how things will develop from here, but I am not optimistic. The DPRK army chief has announced a plan to fire 4 missiles toward Guam by the middle of August (that's next week). If Kim goes ahead and authorizes that plan, then I believe the USA will be forced to try and shoot those missiles out of the sky, even if the N-Korean intent is to drop them in the ocean around 40 miles from Guam. That will constitute direct military interaction. The North Koreans may regard taking out their missiles as a hostile act, the USA will already regard the firing of those missiles as an act of war, in short, they will keep blaming each other for the almost inevitable military conflict. If you have a God, better start praying, the odds are looking increasingly scary for the people in Korea (North and South). The one hopeful aspect in my view is that China has indicated it will remain neutral if the USA responds to a N-Korean attack. That may stop Kim in his tracks, knowing there will be no support from his old ally.
It also does not help that Kim saw daddy making threats and getting paid off to stop over and over and over again. Not realizing that eventually other countries get tired of your BS and as they change leadership have different ideas about dealing with those threats.