September 15, 2003

China puts troops on border with North Korea

China has deployed troops along the border with North Korea, it confirmed yesterday, in a sign of growing concern over its neighbour's social and economic breakdown.

A brief statement issued by the foreign ministry in Beijing said the People's Liberation Army had taken over patrolling the north-eastern border zone from the People's Armed Police. Reports from Hong Kong newspapers that 150,000 troops had flooded the area were neither confirmed nor denied.

The deployment is a response not only to the problem of refugees from Pyongyang's Stalinist regime, but to growing reports of crime against local Chinese by North Koreans scavenging for food.
[...]
The move announced yesterday may be an attempt to put pressure on North Korea to co-operate in talks over its nuclear weapons programme.

But it is most likely a preparation for an influx of refugees this winter, when food supplies run low and the River Tumen, which separates the countries, freezes over and is easier to cross.

If it is aimed at soldiers rather than civilians, it may be a confirmation of reports that North Korea's infrastructure has begun to break down, leading to greater isolation for some of its armed forces.

How about choice (d) All of the above?
All of the reports coming out of North Korea can't make the Chinese anything but nervous.
And I got the distinct impression from those jittery talks in Beijing a few weeks ago that the ChiComs were not amused by the Norks' saber rattling at all.
Clueless Captain Den Beste thinks the Chinese may be preparing for an invasion...
Stay tuned.
And may Heaven smile down on the poor, hungry and soon to be cold people of North Korea.
Maybe a Chinese invasion could be the best thing to happen to and for them, 'cause God knows they won't get anything from Kim Jung-Il.