Colin's Last Stand, Episode 5: The Rise and (Hopeful) Fall of North Korea

This is my favorite episode so far. I like to hear about current events with an emphasis on their historical significance and background. Keep up the good work!

Nate Earl

Hell yeah. Another awesome video my friend. At the end of the day, I think we move in. It's a complicated issue of course but standing idly by isn't fair to the citizens of such a cruel place

Brandon O'Toole

My favorite episode so far Colin! Fascinating. It's almost like a cult at the scale of a country. I wonder if part of the fall of North Korea will inevitably be, as you mentioned, the population starting to access technology and the "truth" about their "leadership" as well as knowledge about the outside world.

Thanks for watching.

Colin Moriarty

You're very welcome. I got a 5 on that test! =D Good luck.

Colin Moriarty

Love, love, love the flow in this video. Nice and laid back. You seem much more comfortable. Thanks for the history. I've always been curious about how North Korea got to where they are.

Jurobei

Thank you Colin, this was a great episode. I really enjoy these historical videos as I prepare for my AP US History exam in a couple weeks.

Chris Johan

This was an amazingly interesting episode. Thank you. Here is a story about North Korea that had haunted me for years. <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/1923586/did-north-korea-kidnap-american-hiker" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.outsideonline.com/1923586/did-north-korea-kidnap-american-hiker</a>

I loved this, I've always wanted to learn more about North Korea. This may be the catalyst to really get me to dig into it myself. Thanks for sharing your knowledge Colin!

That depends on what you define as danger. The North Koreans are a threat not only to our allies in Japan and South Korea, but also to our own cyber security and that of other nations like Pakistan that are susceptible to hacking of research for their own weapons. The intellectual property of our defense companies and technology is as valuable as our physical security today. Worthy of the debate I think.

The problem is absolutely not if, but when, the world takes action. The North Koreans are going to keep everything rolling unless the government falls, China makes real change, or the West is forced to take action. Words of previous world leaders have done very little. Are the people of right now going to do something, or kick the can down the road? The world is running out of road!

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/18/us-military-shoot-down-north-korea-missile-tests?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/18/us-military-shoot-down-north-korea-missile-tests?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other</a>

Just read that US are thinking about shooting down further missile tests.

Where is this available to watch?

What is the general feeling in Japan? Is it more like stay out of the way or is it more looked at as more actionable.

Actually a pretty interesting read... I guess it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that could be the case. We are either dealing with a magical madman that has little to no common sense, or a military and political genius who knows exactly what he is doing. Not sure what's worse...

I would hope exposing the horrors of communism would enlighten our lunatic fringe left.

Bryan Silva

This turned up today after me watching the latest video last night <a href="http://news.sky.com/story/sky-views-what-if-kim-jong-un-is-not-a-madman-10841778" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://news.sky.com/story/sky-views-what-if-kim-jong-un-is-not-a-madman-10841778</a>

James Schubert

A long-form conversation with my father is in the cards. Stand by.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for watching!

Colin Moriarty

I've said for years that I'd go to North Korea, 100%, if given the opportunity. I think you should go and see it. It's apparently something you have to see to believe.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm really glad you learned something from the video.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for your kind words!

Colin Moriarty

Nothing to Envy is a fantastic place to start, but there are quite a few good books to investigate.

Colin Moriarty

It's really nice to be back in my true comfort zone.

Colin Moriarty

I've seen people suggest Venezuela, and I'm going to look into it. I have to do research; I know little more than what a normal person reading the news would.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for watching!

Colin Moriarty

It's interesting to question whether the MAD doctrine needs to be kept in place by force. It's antithetical to the entire notion, yet it's the only reason we haven't incinerated ourselves and each other. Thank you for watching!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for the kind words, and for your support.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for watching! No plans on Turkey right now, but that may change.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

I'd like to do something on France, but if I do, I'll wait until the runoff.

Colin Moriarty

Like any other occupied territory, to the victors go the spoils, at least when it comes to post-war occupation. The Japanese occupied Korea for some time; to keep the peace between the prevailing Allied powers, Korea was split up into multiple spheres of influence, which then dictated its future course, very similar to Europe.

Colin Moriarty

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I'm wishing your family the very best.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for watching, and for supporting its creation!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you so much.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

So glad you hear it.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for the feedback.

Colin Moriarty

When I first found out about this some years back, I was fascinated by it. There's a documentary I watched about them -- and one of the dudes in particular -- though I can't remember the name.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for watching!

Colin Moriarty

This is a good insight I think in the sense of diplomacy your absolutely right, they have no interest in listening. But if China started impacting true trade restrictions it would make a huge impact. <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/world/asia/china-north-korea-trade-coal-nuclear.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/world/asia/china-north-korea-trade-coal-nuclear.html</a> China's trade is clearly funding there developer t

I just watched a great documentary about North Korea called "The Propaganda Game." What I found fascinating was how much the current U.S. "treats" to North Korea are playing right into the narrative that has been ingrained into the minds of North Koreans. They have been told for generations that the U.S. has been the root of all problems currently facing North Koreans and that the U.S. has never stopped attempting to invade and take over DPRK. In a way the propaganda-fueled narrative that has been used to keep people in line, was based on a "lie" that is now possibly turning into reality with potential preemptive strikes to disable DPRK's nuclear threats. The current U.S. political posturing towards DPRK validates everything that North Koreans have been told for decades, making the job of convincing them to calm down and possibly overthrow their leadership infinitely more difficult.

The scariest part to me though is how, unlike a century ago when you still needed a powerful military to stand on the world's stage and make threats; now it just takes one mentally unstable individual with his finger on the button.

Awesome work as always Colin. I've been listening to Dan Carlin's accounts on World War 1 and that mixed with the current day events always reminds me how sharing borders with hostile countries can affect the judgements of its people and government. I can't possibly understand the kind of paranoia that would make someone execute members of their own family, just like how I couldn't understand what type of paranoid ambition drove the German Empire to decide to wage a war on two fronts.

Incredible episode, Colin

Drew Packard

I'm living in Japan now. It's rather eye opening when you realize that any moment, in one mistake or mismanaged policy, Kim could decide to launch a few missiles and kill me, my wife and kids, and all my friends. This is such a crazy problem with so many sides. This episode was a great! An incredibly well structured review and analysis. As to what to do. I would normally support more sanctions, but there are no more sanctions we can really do. Furthermore, if China does cut off all trade that could be even more dangerous. In Japan we have a saying, a cornered mouse will bite a cat. If the Kim regeme feels like it's going to fall either way, it has no reason to not nuke everyone it can...

Great topic and well conveyed. It inspired me to go back and watch Oliver Stone's Untold History of the United States. It is a great watch for those who want to learn more about US and world history beyond what was the required reading in high school/college.

Brian Fuller

Great stuff Colin, really enjoy when you are just riffing on a subject. Keep up the great work!

Bryan Finck

While I personally believe the danger North Korea poses to the United States has been blown way out of proportion, how can you not take a threat seriously? Kim better be careful or he might be down a Twitter account just like Isis last week.

Codename Trigger Thumb

Have loved all of your stuff to date, this is my favorite video so far. Super glad you changed it last minute.

This episode was fantastic! Allowed me to (begin to) tie 'current events with past historical events (including things like societal issues, geography etc) which helps me (personally) to make more logical sense of everything. Amazing how that happens when things are suddenly told in an interesting and engaging way. I could listen to your 'stories' forever. Really. Thank you, Col. 👍🏻😉❤️

BettyAnn Moriarty

Just found this interesting article that adds another layer to the why it may be tough to infiltrate North Korea <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/coldwar/korea_usa_01.shtml" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/coldwar/korea_usa_01.shtml</a> thoughts?

Outstanding video Colin, very informative and thought provoking. Have you ever considered doing some sort of long form conversation or podcast with your father on the channel? You speak very highly of him often and from what I've heard from you over the years he sounds like someone with a wealth of knowledge and interesting opinions and I'd love to hear both of you discuss some current events or specific topics. Or would you not want to expose your father to internet/youtube culture, which would be understandble. Congrats on another excellent video Colin.

Awesome video, Col. Love the historical context to the current events. That was pretty amazing!

Khalil Sadi

Very educating video as always. I feel we need to stay out of foreign wars unless our safety as Americans is in danger. I have lost to many friends who chose to fight being a Senior in high school when 9/11 happened and feel we need to stop being the world police. We have problems in our own nation and debt we need to pay that helping out other countries needs to be on the back burner. I know you are in the process of getting a "studio" but would encourage a more professional looking one like the Rubin Report. I am sharing your videos with friends and some are talking to me not knowing who you are saying it seems like a nicely recorded rants of a man in his house. Keep up the awesome work.

Hi Colin - I, too, share your fascination with North Korea and the history of how it became what it is today. I'm an avid traveler and have backpacked a number of countries. Also, an important note, I'm a US citizen. Recently, I've looked into traveling to North Korea. There are a few state-sponsored companies based out of China that conduct structured tours to Pyongyang. It's fairly pricey, but it gives you a first hand glimpse into North Korean life. I totally understand that because it is state-sponsored, I'm only seeing the side of North Korea that the Kim Dynasty wants me to see. But still, I think it would be fascinated. Now, all of this is happening and I've deeply questioning whether it is safe to travel there or not. But at the same time, I'm hellbent on seeing this country before it falls (which I fully believe will happen in our lifetime). What are your thoughts on this? Thanks, Corey

Corey Adams

I learned a lot from this! I'm adopted from South Korea and I'm glad I now have a slightly better grasp on the situation to the North of my country of birth. I'm a proud American and while I don't really have any major ties to my country of origin I'm still invested in their wellbeing on a deep level. The situation in the North is frightening and unlike anything in the world, so thank you Colin for enlightening so many of us in such an eloquent and thought provoking manner. Keep up the incredible content. Your fan always, Jake.

That would be the easiest and least disruptive most likely. However, the reality is that Russia and China like us distracted by NK. If NK went away that is one less buffer of influence they have against us. So they may well publicly soften on their support for NK. But I don't see them ever committing resources to removing the problem.

Great video Colin. The most troubling part is the capabilities North Korea has to attack, Seoul or Tokyo. Two very populated and densely packed cities were they can do major damage with a chemical attack. However; Kim is unpredictable and yes they have not successfully developed any ICBM as of now, but how much longer until that statement becomes false. I recall the article, you posted about the possible seal team 6 operation, to me that makes the most sense if possible. Get in and cut off the head of the snake before it has a chance to bite. Great community here by the way, was reading the comments and a lot of great insight. Keep up the good work.

Miko Bell

We have run out of patience and sympathy for North Korea. I suspect that they can't be reasoned with, so I imagine the only response is liberate the country from the Kims and give power to another native source. This would mean that NATO would need to work alongside this new government to see it not become the very thing that was just dismantled.

Hey Colin, another good video (as usual)! What books on North Korea would you recommend?

At the end of the day you almost have to go in. The only way they fall on there own is if they execute a preemtive attack on Soeul or Tokyo. At some point it's going to have to be a conversation about risk management. No matter what we do it's naive to believe Kim Jong-Un will act in a rational manner. Someone mentioned an information dump within North KOREA, this would be an interesting start but I would be concerned over the impact it would have on the people. As Colin noted many citizens truly believe in the system. A mass data dump could have an opposite effect. One reasonable option may be to continue preassureing chime to restrict trade with North Korea or at least encourage a large tariff (although it's unlikely they would play ball especially since they have already restricted there purchase of coal).

It's unfortunate that a preemptive invasion on our part would just support the propaganda they've been pushing. My solution would be to have the leaders of SK and Japan sit down together and come up with a definitive course of action or inaction for this issue. If they cannot reach an agreed-upon decision, we should make it. The US would then respect whatever decision they come to as a privileged country not immediately in the blast zone. However, once NK obtains intercontinental nuclear capabilities--and they will--it is then our problem, and we're somewhat more justified in taking executive action on handling the situation (not entirely, but somewhat more). In terms of the aftermath: I have no idea how to handle that. Certainly many people would die trying to get into China. While the situation seems bleak, and the use of chemical and nuclear weapons seems certain, I don't think any more good comes from kicking this problem down the road. People who keep insisting on using diplomacy, in my opinion, are deluded. The NK government doesn't care about sanctions and pleas, and they don't care about the rest of the world. They don't want to play nice with everyone, and they don't care about diplomacy. This conflict is inevitable, and the more we push it along, the worse its going to be when the bombs start dropping as their technology, military, and missile program proliferates. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people living there are starving, being worked to death, and are slaves to the state. I don't respect Trump much at all on anything, but at least he's acknowledging that this is a problem that needs to be dealt with now, not later. The consequences could be devastating, but what good comes from making it the next generation's even larger issue? While these are my opinions, I don't live in Seoul or Tokyo, so my idea for some solution remains to be the first part of my comment.

Caleb Greer

Maybe the solo strong arm is not the solution. After all, like you said, the U.S. will not be the ones to suffer. It will be South Korea and Japan who will suffer physical damage. What if the decision was made by those in the area. Yes, that would include the opinions of the Chinese, and Russians after all, they share a border with North Korea. Those four countries, along with the U.S. should have a dialogue and the U.S. should stand behind whatever decision is made.

It's just you talking to the camera with some editing and it's so much fun to watch, I don't know how you are doing it but doing it. I can totally see you beign a history professor 10 years from now ahah As for what should be done in North Korea... it's really difficult to say. I'd start from the main goal every operation should have: avoiding the use of nukes. Then a slow transition could start with the incentives to spread information in the country, funding and helping counteries and organizazions that do this. I don't know how much this could actually change North Korean's opinions or ideas after decades of propaganda but at least showing them there are different points of view and ideas could really fire up a movement, some sort of opposition, something. I would know even less about military options. The requisite for this would be knowing where they keep the nukes (which we know they aren't an absurd number) to prevent strikes on close countries. But it would be esespecially difficult since the intellingence is so hard to gather.

GabrieleEU

I really don't know why our best option wouldn't be a "legal assassination" of Kim using a drone strike should he violate UN laws and mount any sort of attack.

Christopher Lee

The idealistic side of me says the U.S. must gather the allies from a straight humanitarian point of view. If China isn't willing to open up its borders they can at least support with transportation and logistics for refugees. I see US, Canada and many other western countries taking on most of the refugees. My pragmatist says let the citizens be awoken via mass hacking ala Anonymous to gain a homegrown revolution (although generation of brainwashed people may have a hard time getting there). The former feels swiftest and dangerous leaving japan and south korea in the crosshairs. The latter feels another 10-15 years of eventually breaking the ruling family 's hold on North Korea but how many more will have to suffer? Either way blood will be shed. To minimize the casualties we would need inside help. Even a mass hack would cause the Gov to send more off to camps or executions. It will end bad but at least give the country a start to rebuild.

Bryan Silva

Great job on the video! I looked through YouTube comments (surprisingly positive and thorough for YT!) and one thing that I saw pop up there was a comment from a Venezuelan person who fled the country due to the awful situation there and is now in a political and economical crisis. He suggested that you should look at Venezuela and spread the word about the situation in the country and I think that would be actually a very good topic to discuss, especially looking at the history of the region and what is happening there now. Comment in question: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amErCVDjPDA&amp;lc=z12mirlo1xyqehlxt04chz4htpusttbpcj4" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amErCVDjPDA&amp;lc=z12mirlo1xyqehlxt04chz4htpusttbpcj4</a>

Ilya Ryabtsev

This was the best video yet. This is the reason why I pledge to your channel. I am learning more and more every week and you're making it interesting. Keep doing what you're doing, Colin!

There has been speculation that hacking sabotaged launches now and in the past. There are 100 different ways that could happen

Christopher Hopkins

My brother and my best friend were actually discussing the same thing over the weekend only from the catalyst of "what would our response be as a country if NK launched a Nuke at the US and our missile defense system stopped it?" Do we wipe them out? Is that ethical to kill millions of people who didn't have anything to do with that attack on us, does the fact that our defense system stopped it change what our response should be? We didn't come to a concrete conclusion... love the show and I share every episode to encourage discussion and education among my friends from many walks, thanks Colin.

Christopher Hopkins

Dude i love your videos man. I am not a history buff and what your doing is awesome and i believe in it. On the side note man i don't know what to do man. It's not a easy question to answer, but something will happen in the future. Like you said i don't think they can keep it up for much longer. To be honest. I always forget we are not the only ones who this could effect there is South Korea and Japan that could pay a huge price depending what happends. There is no easy way out and i feel as if there is no win, win situation. Someone is going to lose something is it them, us or someone else?. I would not be suprsized either if they used weapons on their own people to keep them inline, which is sad to think about. How do you fix the brain washed people?. I'm sure some will come out of it but there will be people who are so far gone that you may not rescue them. What do you do then? just imagine the psychological affect it will have on those. Something major will happen soon its the matter of when and how. It's great you do these kinds of videos because it really makes you take a step back and think critically about the situation. Anyways another great video man keep it up.

Hey great job. The editing of this video was your best yet and particularly liked how you showed images of the articles supporting your statements.

Excellent video. This period of time is quite scary. It feels like North Korea/Syria could be a powder keg for another war between the east and west. It's sad because ultimately I think we should be trying to help the population in North Korea but intervention is hardly ever done successfully. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation for the USA specifically. To me it always seemed that the majority of the world's countries enjoy the protection from having a country like the USA around, but when the USA want's to intervene anywhere or impose sanctions these countries veto the plan and offer no support (look at the recent sanctions against Russia that the UK and USA wanted to push, but they were vetoed by the other G7 countries). Will you be doing a video on the recent referendum in Turkey?

James Ashmore

Great vid man. Really informative information. Keep it up brother!

Cesar Solis

Great video. Enjoyed it once again. Can we expect a video on The French Presidential election this week? Or perhaps one before the inevitable run off in early May?

Samuel

Love this video. Great historical background. My only question after watching this video (I'm going to go look it up now) is why did Korea need to be broken into 2 following WWII? I don't know the history here. I understand that the Soviets and Allies split it, but why? Like I said, I'm going to go look it up now. As for what should we do now? I think if it's possible to do a single strike on nuclear military targets that's coordinated so that the North Koreans don't have the time to retaliate that also spares civilians while crippling their ability to respond, that should be done. I'm sure that's easier said than done. I'm picturing something like desert storm that takes place in a single night by stealth bombers with precise strikes that leave them unable to strike Seoul or Tokyo. Then it's a matter of clean up after that. Like I said, probably not possible or it would have already been done.

Dan Phillips

Fantastic video - great run through on the history of the conflict and I appreciated the context that this sprung up out of a talk with your father. North Korea I believe is one of the more shameful problems in the world because I think it gives us a peak at what the world would have been like had the Nazis or USSR prevailed - a complete culture wrapped up in this false narrative of their own superiority and the superiority of the state. When people ask "how could the world have allowed the Nazi's to do this" when speaking about the death camps, eugenics, etc and they like to think that if only we had known we would have done something sooner (spoiler: we did know, we didn't act sooner) I always think about NK. I'm not trying to sound like a neo-con and eager to see the United States in yet another war but I have to say that I think if the US were to act cost of blood and treasure aside, it would be one of the most altruistic and humanitarian things we could be doing as the world's super power. Granted, I'm thinking this and speaking this from the comfort of being out of range but I do find it shameful that we have death camps, a totalitarian regime, horrific abuses to their citizens, threats and acts of war with so far little to no consequence. Thank you as always for the quality content.

Eric Gee

This is my favorite type of content! Looking forward to the next one.

Tasur Seen

This is fantastic

BurpleMan

Fantastic episode. Interesting and I learned a lot.

Cooper Bibaud

This style of video is exactly what I hoped for when you started Colin! Some historical context on current events! Another solid outing for CLS.

I don't know what your editing capabilities are, but it would be nice to show world maps in videos like this to show where the Korean peninsula is with respect to China and the Soviet Union. This helps explain the Soviet and Chinese sphere of influence when you show the proximity.

Eric

Colin, What are your thoughts on the US military service members who defected to NK: <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americans_in_North_Korea?" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americans_in_North_Korea?</a>

We need a "Keep on learning" t-shirt. - Very interesting that this was the topic. I was just doing some research on North Korea yesterday because I simply don't understand why their missile launches keep failing. They've been trying to launch missiles for years and I just don't understand how they've made little no progress. One person's theory is that we are involved in espionage - do you think this is the case?

Owen

Loved this mix of history and current events. Thanks again for another great episode