I need 2 separate replies to each discussion, 100 words each
Erika Leipertz:
Kim Jong-il, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) made the decision in 2009 to walk away from all negotiations regarding denuclearization (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXWith this, Pyongyang fully resumed operations at Yongbyon nuclear complex, converted their inventory of plutonium into weapons, and began testing intercontinental ballistic missiles (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXWith this decision, all inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and all U.S. personnel in DPRK that were helping to disable the reactors were removed from the country (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXAs Kim Jong-il leaned heavily on nuclear weapons, invalidated prior agreements, and continued testing and expanding nuclear capabilities the people of the DPRK continued to suffer (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXAdditional sanctions were added by the Security Council with resolution 1874 to DPRK but Pyongyang continued operations and testing (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXThe public distribution system in DPKA began failing to function forcing many citizens into a barter and trade system and activities outside of state oversight to survive (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXAll of this was occurring as Kim Jong-il’s health was in a steady decline. This decline made way for the Korean People’s Army (KPA) to begin to play a larger role with the public (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXWith the permission of Kim Jong-il, KPA began to have increased visibility in policymaking and power within the government systems in anticipation of an upcoming succession (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXWith an incredibly damaged society and economy, mostly in part to the decisions made by Kim Jong-il to revamp the nuclear program in DPRK, Kim Jong-il made a final, potentially detrimental decision regarding his succession according to the author of “Kim Jong-il’s Clenched Fist” (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXThis decision was giving the power of nuclear weapons to his successor in leadership (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXPollack believed this was a poor decision because the people of North Korea were already suffering due to decades of poor decision making of their leadership, that had already led to no relationships with their neighbors, and a failing economy with no negotiations on the horizon (Pollack, XXXXXXXXXXAs DPRK continues to stockpile their weapons and improve on their technologies, the remainder of the world view continues to grow bleak that they will ever relinquish these powers and enter negotiations (Pollack, 2009).
I agree with Pollack that Kim Jong-il continued to make poor process improvement decisions when it came to leading a country and instead made decisions more inclined toward personal or military gain. Upon falling ill and determining a path for succession, Kim Jong-il had the opportunity to evaluate the current process of the government and the current state of the DPRK to make changes that would help to restore the public distribution system and to slow down the production of nuclear weapons to regain favor with the rest of the world, however this was not the case. Because of Kim Jong-il’s poor decisions and refusal to join the rest of the world with process improvement regarding nuclear technology, the people of North Korea will continue to suffer.
WC: 494
Sources
Pollack, J XXXXXXXXXXKim Jong-il’s Clenched Fist.Washington Quarterly,32(4), 153–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/ XXXXXXXXXX
Savaarres Holloway
wo of the most iconic stores that have served everyone throughout all four seasons, Kmart and Sears have slowly continued to vanish throughout the last couple of years. Billionaire Eddie Lampert was once called a “genius” by fortune(Celarier XXXXXXXXXXBack in 2005, the two companies merged under the new Sears Holdings, which will allow both companies to operate separately. Under the new leadership, projected revenue is expected to draw among $55 Billion. Throughout the years, Kmart and Sears have failed to keep up with the new wave of innovation along with other major competitors such as Target and Wal-Mart. Back in 2015, the corporation raised about $ 2 Billion dollars to offset some of its debt by selling off some of its stores to a Lampert-controlled company Seritage. As of today, the remaining retail stores are down to 700, compared to 3,500 retailers before the merger. Despite the corporation lenders providing funds to keep a small number of stores open for the holidays, there is a small chance the stores will remain open afterward. Most believe that there is no plan to retrieve both stores, which also includes downsizing. There still remains skepticism.
I agree that the decisions made by Eddie Lampert and its corporation are considered to be questionable and poor. I questioned the decision for both chains to merge. Before the merger in 2005, there was no indication of both chains in bankruptcy or failing to meet consumers' needs. I believe both retail chains made a significant gross revenue despite the upcoming of today’s popular chains Target and Walmart. I question the move of the Sears sale of Kenmore to Lampert-controlled company Seritage. I considered that Unethical. In addition, the company sold back some of its merchandise to the apparent Sears Corporation. The leader's actions are poorly based on the lack of innovation. Kmart and Sears stores have just as much merchandise as other retailers. Some prices are lower than others. But competitive. Both stores have Credit Cards aligned with their own cash-back perks like other competitive retailers. The CEO's big business approach has failed
References:
Fickenscher, L. (2018, October 15).Sears has finally gone bankrupt. New York Post. Retrieved May 31, 2022, fromhttps://nypost.com/2018/10/14/sears-is-going-bankrupt/
Celarier, M. (2018, December 4).Eddie Lampert shattered Sears, sullied his reputation, and lost billions of dollars. or did he?Institutional Investor. Retrieved May 31, 2022, fromhttps://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/b1c33fqdnhf21s/Eddie-Lampert-Shattered-Sears-Sullied-His-Reputation-and-Lost-Billions-of-Dollars-Or-Did-He