February 13, 2008: North Korea has
recently received large shipments of fuel oil, as part of a deal that would
have North Korea dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Not only has North
Korea reneged on its promises, but is apparently using a lot of that oil to
fuel its tanks and warplanes. It's been noted that Winter military maneuvers in
North Korea are using a lot more tanks and jet aircraft than in the past few
years. With North Korea civilians suffering food, fuel and electricity
shortages this Winter, it's discouraging to see fuel burned to train troops
for, what? The North Korea armed forces have been declining for the last
decade, as fuel shortages made it impossible for fighter and bomber pilots to
maintain anything but minimal flying skills. Same for tank crews. Hardly an new
equipment was bought, and current stuff was seen abandoned near barracks,
apparently because there was no money for spare parts.
So now, with the North Korean economy
in desperate need of energy, and refurbishment, the generals are apparently
doing a little morale building for themselves, by burning scarce fuel in a vain
attempt to overcome a decade of lost training.
