The Border Factor

South Korea and China are the two nations that are against the sanctions that they feel are too tough on North Korea. Although they are for some sanctions against NK they are opposed to the language the United States and Japan submitted. Now why would they do that? You would think that the nations that are closer to North Korea would be more worried about North Korea's nuclear capabilities and therefore would take greater action against them. But in fact it is because of how close they are that they are refraining from taking to harsh of action.

North Korea shares a border with China to the north and South Korea to the south. North Korea is a nation already suffering from famine and poverty. China and South Korea realize that if they apply too harsh of sanctions they would throw North Korea into an even worse state of affairs. China is worried about the refugees that would flee into their country. South Korea is worried about absorbing North Korea into their country making all of their problems part of South Korea. Japan is for harsh sanctions and they are still very close to North Korea, yet they do not share a border. This fact makes all the difference. However, refugees should be the least of their worries, a nuclear North Korea poses a tremendous threat to the world.