The North Korea dilemma

Dear editor:

North Korea’s leader is an unpredictable, evil, power-motivated, madman and no one seems to know what to do about him. He knows we have sufficient weaponry to destroy him, and yet, he continues to threaten the world with his madman military maneuvers.

But, is he mad? Or has he made the assumption that no military action will be initiated against his aggressive arrogance, because of our concern for innocent people? Regardless of the reasons for his recklessness, the world is faced with a dilemma. And America, as the leading nation in the world, needs to seek God’s guidance before taking military action. America does not need another war and Americans don’t want another war.

It’s a World War I historical record that, because of his religious beliefs, Sgt. York did not want to enter military service. Nevertheless, he did and became a national hero. After the war, when asked how he justified all his action, he said that he killed and captured German soldiers (over a hundred) to save the lives of American soldiers.

Also, the atomic bombs we dropped on Japan, although horrible for thousands of innocent Japanese, ended the war and saved lives. A prolonged “boots-on-the-ground” war was avoided, a war that, no doubt, would have cost millions of additional lives, theirs and ours.

But, back to today’s dilemma with North Korea: Our best efforts, to persuade China to lead the challenge to find a humane way to end North Korea’s mad aggressiveness without war, have not worked.

Consider these “what ifs:” What if American submarines are ordered to patrol the waters near the North Korean coast, with the fire power and orders to shoot down all missiles (test or otherwise) that North Korea might fire? Furthermore, what if American aircraft carriers are ordered to patrol waters farther out from North Korea’s shores, with orders to backup our submarines (if necessary) to assure that all North Korean missiles are shot down?

What if we detonate their missiles over their country, would that convince them to stop their military madness, or would they retaliate with deadly firepower on South Korea? What if we detonate one of their nukes over their country, would millions of innocent North and South Koreans be killed, would there be sufficient water above our submarines to protect them, would the distance to our carriers shield them from nuclear fallout? What if we do nothing, do you think the risk to us from North Korea will go away? Or, what if our new SEALs were ordered to take the necessary actions to take out that little mad man, could they do it? Only God knows!

We have more questions than answers, so let’s make this serious situation a matter of sincere prayer?

Bob Sowell Korean War service on (SS-524) USS Pickerel, Guppy Snorkel Submarine from October 1949 Hot Springs

P.S. The only World War II ground invasion into Japan’s mainland was by eight crew members from the submarine USS Barb, SS-220. God provided cloud cover for eight men to go safely ashore and blowup an enemy train.