Comments on: North Korea’s test http://blog.aynrandcenter.org/north-koreas-test/ Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:44:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: Chuck http://blog.aynrandcenter.org/north-koreas-test/comment-page-1/#comment-646 Chuck Fri, 29 May 2009 14:21:02 +0000 http://blog.aynrandcenter.org/?p=2209#comment-646 I was watching a Korean drama series recently and came across this scene, between the deposed Korean King, Kumwa, and the usurper, his son, Taeso. It is about appeasing a neighboring state, the Han (China), who are making demands and threats. It is an excellent, succinct statement about what's wrong with appeasement: Kumwa: I heard the Han demanded a hostage. Is that true? Taeso: Yes. Kumwa: What will you do? Taeso: I'm going to send a hostage. Kumwa: Don't you have any pride? Taeso: Why wouldn't I have any? Kumwa: Yet you're going to send a hostage and accept that we're a tributary state? Taeso: We can't afford to talk about pride. The Han is just waiting for a chance to make us pay for the war. I had to marry a woman I don't love just to put an end to it. If one hostage will save thousands of lives, why not? Your Majesty, pride won't stop a war. I'll reap the benefits of not starting one. Kumwa: Give up one thing to avoid a war and the Han will demand something else. You'll use Puyo's peace as an excuse to back out again and again until you're at a dead end. What will you give them then? Will you let them conquer us if they want to? Will you die for them if they ask you to? Can't you see the reality hidden behind the so-called benefits? I was watching a Korean drama series recently and came across this scene, between the deposed Korean King, Kumwa, and the usurper, his son, Taeso. It is about appeasing a neighboring state, the Han (China), who are making demands and threats. It is an excellent, succinct statement about what’s wrong with appeasement:

Kumwa: I heard the Han demanded a hostage. Is that true?

Taeso: Yes.

Kumwa: What will you do?

Taeso: I’m going to send a hostage.

Kumwa: Don’t you have any pride?

Taeso: Why wouldn’t I have any?

Kumwa: Yet you’re going to send a hostage and accept that we’re a tributary state?

Taeso: We can’t afford to talk about pride. The Han is just waiting for a chance to make us pay for the war. I had to marry a woman I don’t love just to put an end to it. If one hostage will save thousands of lives, why not? Your Majesty, pride won’t stop a war. I’ll reap the benefits of not starting one.

Kumwa: Give up one thing to avoid a war and the Han will demand something else. You’ll use Puyo’s peace as an excuse to back out again and again until you’re at a dead end. What will you give them then? Will you let them conquer us if they want to? Will you die for them if they ask you to? Can’t you see the reality hidden behind the so-called benefits?

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