Why doesn't the US do something to remove Kim Jong Un from power? (generation, regime)

[AwesomeTravel]

I'm pretty ignorant about politics, so bare with me if my question seems stupid. I don't think we should do a military strike on North Korea. That would kill thousands if not millions. I do think we need to do something to target that regime (and kill Kim if necessary). What would the consequences be if that happened?

[Pilot1]

Well first it would create a power vacuum, and like Sadam, and Khaddaffi, the next government, or person may be worse. I wouldn't take him out, and I wouldn't do a first strike. I would continue to pressure the Chinese to reign him in. It has worked before.

[69Charger]

Thanks to the weakening of America, due to liberal policies, no one has the stomach to go in and wipe out Ding Dong Ill and all his little commie cohorts anymore. So here we sit, while they mock us.

[scarabchuck]

As good as that may sound, it would only martyr him and create more hatred towards us.

[Augiec]

Originally Posted by 69Charger

Thanks to the weakening of America, due to liberal policies, no one has the stomach to go in and wipe out Ding Dong Ill and all his little commie cohorts anymore. So here we sit, while they mock us.

I'm going to guess, based on your user name and reference to "commies," that you're one of those cranky, nostalgic for the 50s, boomer-types. If so, please just stop. You and your ilk have made a mess of enough stuff to keep my generation, and those who follow me, busy cleaning up after you for a long, long, long time.

In regards to the OP, going in to "wipe out" the leadership in NK would, as others have mentioned, create a power vacuum. Not to mention, make an enormous humanitarian crisis for our ally, South Korea, and our largest trading partner, China. In short, it's a bad idea.

[Dane_in_LA]

Originally Posted by AwesomeTravel

What would the consequences be if that happened?

Anyone able to predict that should be employed in a national security advisory role.

What would happen? Power vacuum, for sure. Inside of North Korea, members of the privileged class would be getting at each others' throats to see who ends up on top. Some military faction is the most likely to end up on top.

Problem is, who can they align with? Reunification will essentially be South Korea taking over, that's not in the interest of a new North Korean power structure. Also, China would hate having a border on South Korea.

On the other hand, China doesn't want a loose(r) cannon on their border, either. If things get out of hand, China is likely to step in and try to keep the lid on, by installing a suitable puppet.

And on the third hand, North Korea is a seriously toxic asset. The population seems successfully brainwashed, the infrastructure would have to be rebuilt from "tools to make the tools to make the tools" level, it'll be decades of deprogramming before the country is workable. The German reunification will be a cakewalk in comparison.

There's little in North Korea worth having and a huge price tag to get at it.

[Dane_in_LA]

Originally Posted by 69Charger

Thanks to the weakening of America, due to liberal policies, no one has the stomach to go in and wipe out Ding Dong Ill and all his little commie cohorts anymore. So here we sit, while they mock us.

Could you not? We're trying to have an adult conversation here.

[mtl1]

Why doesn't South Korea, Japan, China, Asia and the rest of the world do something about removing Kim Jong UN?

[burdell]

Originally Posted by 69Charger

Thanks to the weakening of America, due to liberal policies, no one has the stomach to go in and wipe out Ding Dong Ill and all his little commie cohorts anymore. So here we sit, while they mock us.

And WHAT are you doing besides sitting?

[burdell]

Originally Posted by AwesomeTravel

I'm pretty ignorant about politics, so bare with me if my question seems stupid. I don't think we should do a military strike on North Korea. That would kill thousands if not millions. I do think we need to do something to target that regime (and kill Kim if necessary). What would the consequences be if that happened?

And the magical plan to take down a closely guarded man in an isolated country without a military strike would be?