Obama announces North Korea to be a “grave threat” to the World as UN tightens sanctions

North Korea threatens the United States after President Barack Obama calls North Korea’s regime, “a grave threat to the world”. The volatile North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il, warned the United States of a “merciless” attack on America.  Jong-Il makes these threats following remarks by Obama that North Korea is violating The UN’s order to discontinue a weapons program. Despite warnings from the United States and The UN, North Korea has continued developing its nuclear program, including enriching uranium and launching two test missiles, with a third test on the way.

South Korea and Russia, countries border North Korea, expressed concerns of an imminent attack on their countries by North Korea.  Russia promised to shoot down any missiles launched by North Korea and defend its country.  On Tuesday at the White House, standing side-by-side with South Korean president Lee Myung-bak, Obama offered America’s support to these neighboring countries by announcing, “Belligerent, provocative behavior that threatens neighbors will be met with significant and serious enforcement of sanctions that are in place”.  Obama further confirmed his position that it would not be in the world’s interest to allow any reward or offer of reward to North Korea in exchange for ceasing its nuclear program after it created crisis with this situation.

Why all of the threats by Jong-Il suddenly?  Political experts consider three theories:

1. The UN’s new order for tougher sanctions on North Korea,

2. The strategy of intimidating countries who might seek to stop North Korea’s nuclear program and

3. Scaring North Korean citizens into supporting Jong-Il’s regime.

Last week, The UN announced even tougher sanctions on North Korea by ordering an arms embargo and ship inspections leaving and arriving in North Korea.  Jong-Il responded to The UN’s new sanctions by warning that any enforcement of these sanctions would be considered an act of war again North Korea.

There is one other matter which might be driving Jong-Il to act with such aggression.  It has been reported that Jong-Il is preparing to hand over his regime to the youngest of his three sons, 26-year-old Kim Jong-Un.  Before handing over the reigns to his youngest son, Jung-Il could be strengthening North Korea’s threat against the world, lest any countries attempt to take advantage of this transition period in North Korea’s government.  After his stroke last August, Jong-Il, who is now 68 years-old, faced the possibility of his death and the resulting chaos that might occur should he fail to prepare a successor.  Jong-Un is said to be the favorite son of his father who has all but turned his back on his other two sons, the eldest for attempting to leave North Korea with a fake passport and the second for his feminine appearance and manner which is reported to be a hormone imbalance.