AWSJ, “Solving North Korean Nuclear is Far Off”

The Asian Wall Street Journal criticized, “The price of meeting DPRK leader Kim Jung-il is high,” while commenting on the recent visit of the Chinese head of diplomacy department to North Korea in its editorial, “Bribing Pyeongyang,” yesterday. The following is an abridgement.

Washington has urged the Chinese young leaders to solve North Korea’s nuclear crisis actively. However, Washington also warned that the situation will meet a tragic end if they were to bribe North Korea.

Last week, China’s head of Diplomacy Department Lee had a 90-minute talk in “very amicable” environment with Kim Jong-il and agreed on the opening of the next round of six-way talks. Kim had a reason to smile, however that reason did not include the dismantling of the nuclear program.

Former President Kim Dae-jung paid $186 million to meet with Kim Jong-il. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced to Kim Jong-il that he is willing to provide $50 million dollars unconditionally on his visit to North Korea last autumn.

(The $186 million and $50 million that the Asian Wall Street Journal described as a “bribe” is speculated to mean the Hyundai economic collaborated subsidy and the Chinese government’s support of glass factory building fund respectively.)

Looking at North Korea’s past behavior of demanding money for peace talks, it is expected that this talk will not be accomplished without any compensation. Lee’s North Korea visit and Kim’s bright smile should be interpreted in this way.

With enough compensation by China, a six-way talks working-level group might be formed. However, do not anticipate any success. The minute possibility of the Kim government scrapping its nuclear program has been cancelled with John Kerry’s proposal of a bilateral talk between U.S. and North Korea.

Kerry’s proposal has given an incentive to Kim to not draw back until the November presidential election. Lee should have warned how dangerous it is to be “all-in” to Kerry’s election rather than giving bribes.

Jin Lee leej@donga.com