Vietnam to my view was a different kettle of fish ... They were fighting for their independence... First against the Japanese then again the French when they came back, then the Americans after the French gave up ... The communists supported then in their efforts ... NK is a feudal fiefdom supported by the communists ... Gross simplification I know
I agree. Though not all Vietnamese welcomed the Commies. In particular the Montagnard whom the Commies did not trust (with good reason). I admire your grasp of history.
Thank you ... It's a little appreciated fact that the US gave aid to uncle Ho in fighting the Japanese ... I think but don't quote me, there's a pic if Avril Harriman to mark the occasion
Now that you mention it that story does sound familiar. Nevertheless I would not be surprised. Yes I think we did payout big to whoever assisted with the defeat of the Japanese. "An enemy of my enemy is my friend."
To the extent that they would no longer be a threat to their neighbors which directly affect us as allies to the South Korean government. Otherwise I can see no benefit. They have little to no natural resources or anything of importance to the rest of the world, or to us in particular. They would simply be another poor, ignorant, illiterate bunch of social dregs, continuing to beg the world for food and fuel because their decades-long obsession with Communist ideology failed long ago and they've yet to realize it. We get along with Vietnam because they quickly realized that Communism would not advance their society and a market-driven one would go further, faster than a simple socialist one would. At least that's how I understand it.
Unless those people - or more specifically Kim Ill Dung (whatever) - have no desire to "get along". It seems that with him it's "my way or the highway" to the end. And they have the backing of the Chinese, quickly becoming a military superpower if not so already. I agree with Thriftymaid, we stopped too soon. The new-formed UN was of little help in that quagmire or it would be a totally different story today. Perhaps Korea would be united and doing as well as Vietnam.
WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH 