Well, it seems that the DPRK is taking a step towards peace. Earlier today I caught this headline on Yonhap.
Pyongyang calls for peace settlement with Washington . It seems that they are finally looking to settle down and draw a line.. or are they? What is leading the DPRK to this table? Is it the fact that they are trying to seriously open up and let the modern world in, or is it just another negotiating tactic like so many before it?
The truth is it is hard to tell. Lately the nes has been chalk-full of "attempts by Pyongyang" to make some peace. They are letting a US congressman come for a visit and are on their way back to the 6-party talks (albeit with a slightly different format).
But, how far are they willing to go? If they are really interested in peace, for paces sake, then would they not lay all their cards on the table? If they are seriously interested in reform and change, would they not allow inspections of food aide distribution (much less nuclear facilities)? The truth is I believe in a nations sovereignty and in now way does it surprise me when Pyongyang doesn't let inspectors in. But, when out of one side of their mouth they are expressing feelings of peace, and from the other side, mismanaged direction in regards to the DMZ and the like it begs to be asked... what DO they want?
In just one day, the headlines read all across the board. From demands of more electricity in return for the dropping of their nuclear program and denials of defection, to efforts to coordinate fishing rights, setting up fiber optic cable links, and setting up a private phone line between the two Koreas. It often makes me wonder if the is a united consensus in the North. Is there really just one direction the DPRK is wanting to go or is it more akin to different departments jockeying for position/achievement?
4 comments:
I don't think any amount of discussion on "human rights in N. Korea" is going to have any real effect.
At some point someone "rational" at a high level in the N. Korean military is going to have to decide that the country has had enough with it's "divine leadership" and throw the mental case out.
When that occurs N. Korea will get the worldwide assistance it has desperately needed for years...perhaps there will be a reunification with your country similar to the one which took place in Germany 15 years ago and the combine Korean State will assert itself proudly in the family of nations.
Anything is possible, but a few things come to mind.
-Is it more common in history for a "madman" to be thrown out by his own people or to have an outside force oust him?
-Other than a recent RANd study, I really wonder if there are any comprehensive reports outlying the costs of Korean unification. Not only are there greater economic differences when comeparing the DPRK/ROK relationsship (comtrasted to that of Germany), but there are also innumerable cultural factors that I think are often overlooked.
I fear it will be a far harder road than anyone imagines.
There aren't that many recent examples to look to. Idi Amin was overthrown by his own military I think..Hitler was removed by external forces as was Sadaam Hussein. Clemenceau in Rommania was overthrown by his own people and the military resisted until it became clear the citizenry was willing to die to get rid of him.
President Moonbeam or whatever they call him goes to great pains to see that his military is well fed we're told. I wonder if they would protect him if the citizens rose up.
Reunification probably won't be easy and I don't know that much about you country culturally..a lot would depend on how diverse the northern area was from the southern prior to 1931.
Germany's reunification didn't go that smoothly economically..For the first few years the Western part suffered while the standard of living was being raised in the East..but they stuck with it. Of course now they've got a socialist government but Schroeder has recently called for new elections.
"I wonder if they would protect him if the citizens rose up."
The thing is, there is litle chance of that happening. The press in the west always loves a "good over-throw" but the truth is, it rarely comes easy.
All of the North Koreans I have met (however limited a selection), simply adored their leader. Now most reports put his popularity well below that of his father's, but still, the mechanism for popular overthrow are not entirely there.
The truth is the people ARE suffering. But where they lay their blame is soley at the feet of the US and its "capitalism aggression". Most of them simply do not know any other choice is avaliable.
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