General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: RS: North Korea airs purported footage showing 45 saluting one of Kim Jong-un's generals [View all]Victor_c3
(3,557 posts)The general is a very different sort of guy than your average rifleman, but Id be hard pressed to not return a salute if I was trying to negotiate with the other side.
From a low-ranking NK soldier, Id absolutely return the salute. A rifleman had no choice but to be a part of the army and is being told to bear the brunt reality of military service and what war might mean. I can respect a person like that, even if they are on the other side of my rifle.
However returning a salute from a general who most likely got his position of influence through deceit, manipulation, and the betrayal of his country-folk, not so much. A general like that would be sitting in a (relatively) safe and swanky bunker far removed from the front lines of a conflict while directing others to die for his benefit.
All of the above being said, itd be an almost automatic reflex for me to return a salute after my time in the army. Ive been out nearly 11 years and still if Im outside and see someone when Im walking, I automatically move anything I might be carrying out of my right hand in anticipation of a salute. (I was a junior officer and I received and saluted a lot of people when I was in the Army).