Comments on: Lee Will Not Meet Kim Jong-il without Good Reason

By: Teadrinker

Teadrinker — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:49:42 +0000

No, my point is that I wouldn't take everything Lee says at face value.

By: gerry

gerry — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:22:28 +0000

And your point is that Lee is wrong?

By: Teadrinker

Teadrinker — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:37:29 +0000

“A meeting driven by political and tactical motivations without sincerity will be meaningless.”

Yes, because Lee sincerely believed that a canal cutting through South Korea was necessary to boost the local economy despite the facts that South Korea already has one of the most advanced railroad systems in the world, is about the same size as Minnesota…and isn't pre-industrial revolution era France.

By: Adam Cathcart

Adam Cathcart — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:38:22 +0000

GI:
“I have always believed that any South Korean negotiations with the North Koreans should include demands that Kim Jong-il keep the promise that he made to the late Kim Dae-jung that he would reciprocate Kim Dae-jung’s visit to Pyongyang in 2000 with a visit to Seoul himself.”

Absolutely! I wish more attention were paid to this offer of reciprocity. Roh Moo-hyun was too desperate in October 2007 to uphold the condition, and Kim Jong Il took advantage. I can only imagine the KCNA features that would attend such a meeting, though.

By: gerry

gerry — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:06:46 +0000

“A meeting driven by political and tactical motivations without sincerity will be meaningless.”

I think that sums it up fairly well. While the current administration is looking for photo ops, and good publicity, at the expense of any meaningful dialog, it works against president Lee and his hard line stance.

I stand with South Korea on its policy. (tired of the US and its games).

By: Benicio74

Benicio74 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:43:35 +0000

Glad to hear it!

When Dae Jung went up there, we all had hope that it really meant something. Such a huge disappointment that it was all just a huge cash payoff to KJI.

When Moo Hyun went up there, everyone knew it was just a meaningless photo op and no one, except Roh's most ardent supporters, felt it meant anything at all.

LMB keeps making the smart play, for the most part. My students just can't comprehend why I like him. They have been ordered to hate him by their 'seniors'.