Concern over North Korea in light of new sanctions

North Korea pushes the sanctions limit

Kim+Jong+Un+painted+portrait

Courtesy of thierry ehrmann

Kim Jong Un painted portrait

Nicholas Tirella, Paige Vannarath, Managing Editor/SCC, Reporter/SCC

As hostilities between North Korea and the United States continue to grow, new sanctions on North Korea have been put in place unanimously by the United Nations on September 11 in an attempt to halt the countries’ production of its nuclear arsenal.

The sanctions include restrictions on crude oil and other oil product imports, as well as bans on textile exports and visas given to North Korean citizens working overseas.

Northeast Valley News spoke with Soleka Yeomans, veteran and current Army Reserve Nuclear Specialist, regarding her personal thoughts about the ongoing situation.

“It’s kind of just like a little kid that wants to be recognized, is how I see it,” Yeomans said.

“I hate to say it but I feel like his (Kim Jong-un) aim is more so of just proving a point that’s unnecessary to prove in this day and age.”

When asked about what would ultimately need to happen in order to put an end to Jong-un’s nuclear arsenal and subsequent testing, Yeoman’s wasn’t overly optimistic,

“Well I mean, you can talk to a brick wall and ask it to become putty, it’s not going to do it,” Yeomans said.

Speaking separately from the military, Yeomans uneasily expressed a thought that is quite possibly on the minds of many across the nation as well as the globe.

“War might be inevitable.”

She also pointed out that North Korea looks past the strength of the U.S. and that regardless, the U.S. should never underestimate the power of North Korea even with these sanctions in place.

“There are days that I worry and there are days that I don’t. There are crazy people and I don’t know how crazy people can get but I know that they are out there so it makes me uncomfortable but it also keeps me on alert.” Yeomans said.

Scottsdale Community College Sports Marketing student, Ryan Henne, also shared similar feelings on the country and its leader’s motives.

“We need to understand that even though there are failed tests, they are actually trying to do something. From a certain standpoint, we have to understand that they are not kidding.” Henne said. “I believe that they will not stop him (Jong-un) from making these threats but after all, it’s just an empty threat.”

Henne spoke on his beliefs that while Jong-un’s progress may temporarily be slowed down due to the weapons ban, the leader’s position and feelings regarding hitting the U.S. will stay persistent, no matter the circumstances or sanctions.