Interested in what others think about North Korea and how what ever happens there could impact us living here if things continue to escalate.

I don't think they will escalate, the North Korean regime is, unfortunately maybe, for all its bizarreness and randomness not completely insane, and they know that if they attacked the south, not even China would support them. They could destroy Seoul and kill millions, sure, but they would ultimately lose, and the US would be compelled to intervene and chrush them. North Korea's army is strong, true, but they're not Iran; they don't have an immense strategic depth, nor any friends whatsoever.

What North Korea is trying to achieve here, according to some analysts, and which seem plausible to me, is to somehow provoke ANY reaction out of the US. The US policy off late has been to ignore them, but North Korea wants to appear scary enough to achieve a peace treaty with the US, so that they, afterwards, can feel secure in their little despotate.

Whatever happens it won't affect us; China won't go to war, especially not one where it stands nothing to gain, and North Korea won't fire missiles at China, as China it it's only friend. People in Japan and South Korea might feel a bit worried, however, but again; I think it's very unlikely that North Korea would escalate the situation much further. The one situatioon I can see happening is if South Korea does something immensely stupid that provokes the North into heedless action, but again, it seems very unlikely.

Compare with Iran, though that regime is much more competent than North Korea's: Iran absolutely do NOT want a war with the US, but they do want nuclear weapons, as nuclear weapons have historically been the best deterrent against war with the US. Iran is therefore sometimes trying to see how much they can escalate tensions in order to get some small benefit out of it. North Korea is the same, just more clumsy and retared.

If a nuclear bomb were to detonate in South Korea, the environmental impact would be devastating. The radiation would travel into China. I'm sure China is not going to let that happen. If it were to happen I don't know what China would require of us foreigners living here to do.

My worry is Kim has backed North Korea into a corner and in an attempt to save face he will do something really stupid. I just do not see the USA reaching out with an olive branch and am afraid this could be a tense situation for a long time. I could however see CHina getting very tough with Kim as this is really putting them further into a no win situation. Last thing China wants to see is a war on there border.

many wars has been declared because of a little event which can increase the tension.

i think by having american navy around does not help a lot.

"provocation" from Usa NAVY (by no meaning and reason to be 50 miles away for the north korea coast and send plane around north korea.

we have to imagine if for exemple chinese army,korea army,iran army will be 50 miles away from Los Angeles.How american people and US NAVY will react ?

China play a key role lets say a balance role in this game.

USA is very happy about North Korean regime,it gives enough "proof" to have many military base in Korea to monitorize China .Usa is very afraid to lose ground in the pacific along the China coast.

we all hope a benign incident won't happen.

I think if the North Koreans keep playing silly buggers and stop the Chinese officials from enjoying their holidays again then there will be hell to pay.

I have seen in the news that China understands the response from the US and doesn't see it as a provocation to fly bombers over South Korea. The Russians are saying the Americans have been very reserved in their reaction to the threat of nuclear attack, echoing the official Chinese response. I haven't read the Chinese talking about US provocation.

China is having very good political and economic relations with South Korea, with a change in North Korean government or reunification then the US bases in South Korea would no longer be needed or justified, this would be to the advantage of China as well.

Definitely Wu Mao's brother.

The problem with threads like this is that they attract nazionalista trolls.

Indeed, China has many good reasons to appreciate a standoff situation continuing indefinitely. A Korea divided but not at war suits it well.

Pee Wee Kim is just plain Qing shin bing, and the world knows it. No worries about them using a nuclear bomb. They are so stupid they wouldn't be able to figure out which end to light.

North Korea won't "REALLY" attack anyone, besides their smaller border clashes and shelling S. Korea out of boredom and propaganda reasons. Which they need to do, to keep the warmongering Generals and hungry people busy. And history has shown how difficult handling hungry people is.
This sort of strategy is similar with China's Japan policy, keeping an artificially enhanced (natural) enemy, (while still receiving investments an know-how) to keep its people hating someone different than their own peers. (Almost) Every autocratic government is running those schemes. And so do "we", at least US & GB.

China appreciates hatred in the peninsula, but not war, as always China is not a big friend of executive decision, except if someone is not-deciding, different than China itself. lol

Plus millions of N. Koreans knocking on the door to China, shouting "gimme eat" will cut their budget for banquets, gambling trips to Vegas and Land Rovers for the hard working servants of the state. As well as it would mean that N.K. would lose the war because Russia and China have to act and they can't for 'Lil UNNY being a naughty boy.

That would jeopardize every step of progress, China and Russia has made in the last few decades. US would have a stronger influence after taking N.K., which is for sure not bringing a smiley face on the Chinese generals.
And I'm glad to see that the US-gov. is just showing the small penis complex, by sending bombers, fighter, ships a tiny (ALMOST) undetectable maritime radar systems.

Last time the US felt manhandled, they started 2 wars in Middle East. Obama is doing a great job, being civil, so far, respect!

That goes to Beijng. too. They are really showing some initiative.

Plus N.K. has a big army but without gas and food. So even if they attack S.K. or US bases they still have to bring up a following invasion or land win.

There is no gain having tanks running out of gas right after crossing the border, no matter if it's one tank or 100,000's. All socialist and ex socialist armies are massive but severely outdated, today wars are not won by masses but (probably being a wet dream of "good 'ol SUNZI") won by smarter measures, than just letting Armies of millions run towards each other with swords drawn.

N.K. will mess about for a bit, shoot a few shells, keep hating Austin, TX. for a bit longer but then go back to the negotiation table. Or being nuked, with green light from BJ and Moscow.Probably becomeing a car park for the growing Chinese car market.

that's my slightly sarcastic idea, that none will care about :)