The Hankyoreh if you can believe it actually has quite an interesting interview with US Ambassador to Korea, Alexander Vershbow that is definitely worth the time to read.  Of course the Hankyoreh asked the Ambassador about the current US beef issue and I thought he gave a pretty good answer:

OIE is an independent organization and categorizes the U.S. as a controlled-risk country for mad cow disease. This means that, in terms of cattle production, there is nearly no risk of mad cow disease in the U.S., and in fact, in the U.S., not a single person has contracted the human form of mad cow disease by eating American beef. When we say T-bone steak or Kalbi made of American beef are safe, it is not just our judgment but the OIE’s judgment. In addition to the multi-layered safety measures, Korean consumers have the option to pick and buy boneless beef. No one will force them to buy T-bone steaks. 

That is the bottom line, no one in Korea is being forced to eat US beef, just like in America no one is being forced to drive a Hyundai car or buy a Samsung TV.  However, the option to buy the cheaper product should be available to consumers.  Ambassador Vershbow also had plenty to say about the current North Korea nuclear issue as well, but here is the most controversial thing he said in the interview in regards to the Japanese abductee issue:

We share the concerns of the Japanese government and people, and we have pressed North Korea to address this issue. However, we do not see that as a precondition to removing North Korea from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. We have been clear that the prerequisites for North Korea to be removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List are the provision of a complete and correct declaration and disablement of the Yongbyon nuclear facilities in accordance with October 3 agreement.

It has long been suspected that the State Department would screw over the staunch American ally Japan and this just makes it official.  Keep in mind it isn’t just Japanese who have been abducted but hundreds of South Koreans as well.  If former US military defector to North Korea, Robert Jenkins is to be believed there are abducted citizens from other nations as well.  It is amazing that a nation that goes around intentionally kidnapping citizens of other countries for espionage purposes is not considered a big deal by our State Department .

Also keep in mind that North Korea has never paid compensation to the families of Korean Air flight 858 that was bombed by North Korean agents killing all 115 people aboard in order to dissuade people from attending the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988.  When Libya was removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List it had to pay $2.7 billion in compensation money to the families of the 270 victims of  Pan Am flight 103 that was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland. 

There is plenty of other terrorist incidents that North Korea has not been held accountable for but when it comes to accountability when has Kim Jong-il and his thugs ever been held accountable for anything?

Popularity: 8%