Korean Ex-Defense Minister Says Crisis "Isn't StarCraft"

John Funk

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Dec 20, 2005
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Korean Ex-Defense Minister Says Crisis "Isn't StarCraft"

When discussing the last week's crisis on the Korean peninsula, the former South Korean Defense Minister chose a rather interesting metaphor to illustrate the gravity of the situation.

Last Tuesday, tensions on the already-tense Korean peninsula reached a near boiling point when North Korea shelled an island on the South Korean side of things, killing two soldiers and two civilians. 13 minutes later, South Korea reportedly fired multiple test shots in response, though claimed that none of them actually fell in North Korean territory.

When a Korean politician asked then-Defense Minister Kim Tae-young - who later resigned over the handling of the conflict [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11838750] - why the South Korean response had been delayed by 13 minutes and had been (relatively) restrained, Kim gave an answer that might sound odd to non-gamers: "This isn't StarCraft."

The remarks were hardly a joke designed to defuse tension - Kim was indeed making a point. In StarCraft, letting an attack go unanswered for 13 minutes is a game-ending mistake. If you don't counterattack swiftly, your base will be overrun with swarming Zerg or marauding Terrans. In real life, though, a forceful retaliation on the part of Kim might have ignited a real-world bloodbath in which thousands could have lost their lives. This wasn't a game; this was a very real situation.

If it sounds strange to hear such a prominent figure compare a deadly real-life scenario to a videogame, consider StarCraft's prominence in Korea as a sport. Is it really so odd to imagine the US President or UK Prime Minister (or leader of your country of choice) answering a question with "this isn't football/baseball/basketball/etc.?" It may still be an odd comparison, but it's not quite so far-fetched.

(Via Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5700983/south-korean-politician-on-korean-crisis-this-isnt-starcraft])

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Celtic_Kerr

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May 21, 2010
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Definately an interesting comparison. I'd like to see how this pans out. I like thet South Korea didn't lose their cool over things though, and showed restraint
 

Shale_Dirk

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Mar 23, 2010
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I've said it before and I'll say it again.

South Korean national Starcraft champs should be brought in for military tactical advising.
 

AugustFall

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May 5, 2009
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Pretty good analogy too. It's true that rushing into decisions in this situation would be foolhardy, these are people's lives not bots.

Edit:
Shale_Dirk said:
I've said it before and I'll say it again.

South Korean national Starcraft champs should be brought in for military tactical advising.
.. Did you read the article? The minister is saying that although it seems like common wisdom to anyone who has played an RTS to counter attack hard; in real life this is not the case. There is diplomacy and the fact that your army is made up of real people to consider.
Starcraft players are impressive but it is a very different skill set to actual military tactics.
 

kajinking

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Aug 12, 2009
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Xzi said:
Clearly what they need to do is Nydus Worm the shit out of N Korea.
What about a thor drop onto the highground?

To get back on topic though I really would like to see Obama make a Halo refrence.
 

Rushview

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Jun 18, 2008
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Press: What is the government doing about the lack of jobs and the current economic failure?

Obama: This isn't Sim City.
 

Jamash

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Jun 25, 2008
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Given it's almost sporting like prominence, maybe "isn't StarCraft" is just the Korean equivalent of the British idiom "isn't Cricket" and the Ex-Defence minister meant the North Korean attack was a bit unfair and un-sporting.

Anyway, it may not be StarCraft, but lets hope it doesn't turn into Homefront.
 

AnAngryMoose

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Nov 12, 2009
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Rushview said:
Press: What is the government doing about the lack of jobs and the current economic failure?

Obama: This isn't Sim City.
That put a much needed smile on my face.

Shale_Dirk said:
I've said it before and I'll say it again.

South Korean national Starcraft champs should be brought in for military tactical advising.
This (wo)man deserves a promotion.
 

Gxas

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Sep 4, 2008
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Thank god that this man is correct in his statement.

Could you imagine war being like this?

 

Danpascooch

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Apr 16, 2009
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Rushview said:
Press: What is the government doing about the lack of jobs and the current economic failure?

Obama: This isn't Sim City.
Oooooo

Seriously though, it's amazing that George Bush drives into this hole and people are complaining more about how Obama is getting us out of it too slowly.

How about the fact that it's getting better? That's lost on most people.
 

Danpascooch

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Apr 16, 2009
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Xzi said:
Clearly what they need to do is Nydus Worm the shit out of N Korea.
Well obviously.

Seriously though, I love this quote just because of how perfectly it fits South Korean stereotypes, it's hilarious.
 

Paksenarrion

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Rushview said:
Press: What is the government doing about the lack of jobs and the current economic failure?

Obama: This isn't Sim City.
Republicans: You can't cut back on funding! You will regret this!