[December 26, 2017] It has been said that throughout human history when leaders ignore or appease evil it means to invite even more evil. We see this in the schoolyard bully who continues his bad behavior despite the disapproval of but not punished by teachers and administrators. The case of the rogue regime of North Korea is a classic example of political leaders from nations both ignoring and appeasing a regime that strives to be the schoolyard bully acting without consequences.
Much has been written about evil; what it is, what it is not, and the debate over how humans encourage or discourage evil. Philosophers over time have pointed to various military and political leaders who are evil … at least according to our modern standards of behavior. Those like Caligula, Vlad Dracula, Mao Zedong, Ivan the Terrible, are just a few of the more infamous among us humans that show the depravity of man and the lengths they will go to harm and destroy others.
North Korea is no special case. In fact, if we were to look earlier into the 20th Century, nations like the NK were common rather than an exception to the rule like today. While we may brood and wring our hands over the likes of Kim Jong Un, the leader of NK, his leadership methodology was once commonplace among nations. With the exception of nuclear and chemical weapons, 100 years ago he would not have marked a footnote in history texts; given his weaknesses.
For humans, war does solve problems. It is not the preferred method of conflict resolution but when done correctly it is a rather permanent solution that solves big problems and saves lives. A good example of the failure to intervene in evil is how Europe failed to stop Adolf Hitler and his regime until it was too late. European leaders feared the loss of lives if they were to intervene. Later, only war was able to solve that problem and the cost was for more destruction.
North Korea recently called United Nations sanctions an “act of war.” Such talk is simple, over-the-top rhetoric. What will happen tomorrow? No one really knows. If war were to break out on the Korean peninsula, the results may be catastrophic or a dud. Who really knows? No one. What we do know is that the North Korean regime is evil and it must be addressed sooner rather than later; else the loss of life will be greater.
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