Here is an interesting quote from Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama from yesterday’s YouTube debate:

Obama said he would be willing to meet individually with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea during the first year of his presidency. "The notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them, which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration, is ridiculous," Obama said to applause.

So let me get this right, President Obama would be willing to fly into Pyongyang to negotiate with Kim Jong-il which would be the ultimate propaganda coup for the North Korean government because they can say that the US President has come to Pyongyang to officially apologize for imperialism, starting the Korean War, or whatever propaganda taking point they want to insert for example.  That is why Kim Jong-il will not visit Seoul because it makes him look weak compared to watching President Roh do everything possible to arrange a second inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang. A visit by the American president to Pyongyang only makes him look even more powerful to the people he oppresses.

Plus such a meeting would accomplish nothing because as I have been saying over and over again Kim Jong-il will not turn over the nuclear weapons he currently possesses.  However, the propaganda generated from it would be powerful.  Just imagine if you are the average North Korean and you see not only multiple presidents of South Korea toasting Kim Jong-il and now the US President is toasting him too?  Such a meeting would effectively destroy any domestic opposition to Kim Jong-il.