Canada’s Globe and Mail thinks conditions are ripe for conflict on the peninsula in the new year.

“Some Pyongyang watchers expect yet another escalation as the regime of Kim-Jong-un tries to force itself – and its need for cash and food – to the top of the international agenda. Some predict North Korea will stage a spectacular military provocation, perhaps akin to 2010’s deadly shelling of Yeonpyeong Island, to force Seoul and Washington to pay attention to its demands.

And with South Korea’s hawkish mood captured by the presidential election victory of of Park Geun-hye – whose father was a former military ruler and whose mother was assassinated by North Korean agents – there are many who believe Seoul will punch back the next time Pyongyang strikes, sending the peninsula into an unpredictable spiral.”

More at the link.  I do wonder just how much President Park would like to avenge her mother’s murder.  Maybe she’s itching for a little provocation.  But then again, I’ve always been astounded at just how much provocation the people of the ROK have been willing to tolerate in the past, what with sinking of ships and shelling of civilians and all.  Of course, it seems to me the average south Korean just doesn’t seem to give a shit about much outside their own little bubble of the good life.  For example, the general lack of compassion regarding the plight of their northern brothers and sisters has also been incomprehensible to me.

We shall see what we shall see.  Call me a Rascal if you must, but ask me my opinion and my opinion will be, People Got to Be Free.