Freshman Guide: The North Korean Missile Crisis

Sep 1

Sep 1 Freshman Guide: The North Korean Missile Crisis

It’s almost time for Wildcat Welcome and you know what that means- time to brush up on the possibility of nuclear conflict within your lifetime before you take shots with your new BFFs and hit up hot cookie bar.

So first thing’s first: North Korea.
What’s even the deal with that?
In 1950 not long after WWII, the Korean War began and the US fought to try and unify all of Korea under one democratic government. Think of that as like two sororities trying to throw a formal together and it was a fine idea but at the end of it, they’re still, like, separate sororities.

Anyway, the US lost, and Korea was divided into two areas with a demilitarized zone acting as a buffer between them. Think of Korea today as like Northwestern’s campus- you have the North part and the South part that are very different and separated. Except in Korea if you’re in the north part and walk into the middle part between the North and South you die.

So what in the world are ICBMs?
ICBM stands for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. It’s a guided ballistic missile designed for nuclear weapons delivery. Think of it as like the postman when your mom sends you a care package but instead of granola bars the care package is an atomic bomb and instead of coming from the Bay Area on a truck it’s whirling through the air at 15000 miles an hour towards you and your loved ones.

Is the US within the Missile’s Range?
Oh yeah. NY, LA, and Chicago. Evanston isn’t technically in Chicago, so we’d probably be safe.

Can China do something?
Not really, apparently. Think of it as like Northwestern’s approach to the Greek system. They could do something to alleviate the situation and put their foot down, but they’re scared and like money, so for now it’s easiest to enact zero change, walk on eggshells, and just take the situation day by day until it most likely comes to a head.

Sounds serious. So what can I do?
Go to the activities fair and put your email down for every single club just in case. Oh, you’re talking about the nuclear warhead? Not much you can do about that. Have a good time during Wildcat Welcome and kiss a bunch of people who will end up being your platonic friends, or something.