You'd be surprise tho. They've been a military country for how many years? In terms of tech, you can't say they are backwards. What's all these nuclear technology then? Why would arm dealers want weapons from them if they are no good?

And the problem is not really about N. Korea invading other countries. It's about them shooting missiles.   faster to push a button than the US/S.Korean/China army to launch an invasive attack to negate the missile launch sites

Good point.

One thing that's always confused me though is why it's in China's strategic interest to continue to support them - or at least not to actively keep them in line.

This thread is slowly becoming a political discussion thread hehe.
The north can only be stopped if China stop supporting its stubborn little neighbour.

Time has passed since the Korean War and China is gradually moving towards its Western counterparts aka ka-ching$$$ and thus the Kim regime has become more a liability to the Chinese.

I believe China knows that N. Korea is a liability. The problem is right now, N. Korea is shooting missiles  because of sanctions. You cut off sanctions, more missiles would follow. Who's going to bear the brunt of that?

If you were held at gun point, and the cops on the speakerphone from the other side of town, still ask you to not give your money to the robber. What would you do?  Not a very good simile, i know, but pls understand the feelings behind it.

hai ya.. malaysia still have many problem. pkir sini dulu la brother.. itu oversea biarlah..

Economy does not depends on one country...

This thread is slowly becoming a political discussion thread hehe.
The north can only be stopped if China stop supporting its stubborn little neighbour.

Time has passed since the Korean War and China is gradually moving towards its Western counterparts aka ka-ching$$$ and thus the Kim regime has become more a liability to the Chinese.

Who knows the 1 party nation will become more democratic and evolves into a 2-party nation like Republicans and Democrats in US in the future?

Regarding syndicate manipulation of stock prices, my remisier mentioned a stockbroking company that supposely has deep links with the syndicates. Darn it, I must open a trading account there and see if I could get some insider info (provided I get the right remisier-lah).  Can't beat the sharks, might as well try to benefit from them ... although I'll probably get eaten up.

Mind to tell us which stockbroking company? We can goreng the counter!

If you were held at gun point, and the cops on the speakerphone from the other side of town, still ask you to not give your money to the robber. What would you do?  Not a very good simile, i know, but pls understand the feelings behind it.

Waw,

The quality of this thread is dropping further.

Now, it becomes Ah Long and War thread, version 28.

I think kim jung il bought heavily at KSE, he buy drop like yip wing thim, then when the date comes he just aim a few missile and now his wealth is tripple. After this he will buy heavily at nikkei then point his missile east and again he make money...so nice.

Seriously, if N.Korea attacks, US will definitely retaliate.

Would be interesting to see some figures. What I know is only from what I've seen and heard. For instance, ad agencies having freeze on any employments, factorie zones near the north very quiet three months ago...

Also employment data would not show true picture. For instance, factories giving the workers 2day-4 day a month furloughs, reduced hours, and bonus cuts thus trimming worker's salary.  And people are beginning to be more budget conscious. Reducing frequency of shopping, eating outside, choose cheaper brands of shampoo, buying clothes and books on warehouse sales, going to old town rather than starbucks for coffee, etc.  It's not just unemployment that could affect an economy...

That for me, is the true, axis of recession esp creating severe reduction of revenue for all manufacturing, retail, consumer sector. Even astute retailers that came up with promos will have to maintain a fine balance between lower margin and volume (ie McDonalds / Parkson).

BTW, have you guys been to carrefour lately? They are selling books at RM5 p/book and RM2 p/classic Penguin books. So nice, I bought 50 books for only RM220. Which is normal cost for 4-5 books for me... MPH and POPULAR just lost one of their most frequent customers.