Locals fear Korean conflict
Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 12, 2003
As evidence seems to suggest North Korea is seeking a conflict with the United States or South Korea, Americans are becoming concerned about another war in Korea
If a war does break out in this region, it could possibly have a major economic impact on the residents of Selma and the surrounding area.
The home base of the Hyundai corporation, which is building an automobile manufacturing plant near Montgomery, is located in South Korea. Some people fear that a war might cause Hyundai to scrap its plans to build here.
Currently, the U.S. is placing more interest in Iraq, deploying several military units to the Persian Gulf area. Military officials have claimed that North Korea is still a long way from creating nuclear bombs and may be using threats to blackmail the U.S. into giving the communist nation incentives.
Jean Martin, city councilwoman, agreed that the U.S. presence would likely keep North Korea from attacking.
Martin also doubted that any future jobs with the plant would be affected by a war.
Mayor James Perkins, Jr. said he was reluctant to discuss international issues.
In early October, North Korea admitted that it created a secret nuclear weapons program. After the International Atomic Energy Agency failed to persuade North Korea to obey a nuclear safeguard agreement, weapons inspectors were forced out of the country.
Some United Nations officials fear North Korea is on the brink of a nuclear war.
However, since there has been no complete evidence that an attack is coming soon, most local officials hope there is little cause for alarm.