[Opinion] Beware of Kim Bearing Gifts

“I think the North Korean population has been losing average height and weight over the years and maybe this will be a little diet for Kim Jong Il,” John Bolton, U.S. Ambassador to U.N., said after the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution condemning North Korea`s nuclear test. The resolution calls for a ban on all trade in luxury goods, including expensive cooking ingredients.

Even during the so called “arduous march,” when millions of his people starved to death, North Korean leader Kim enjoyed dainties of all lands and seas with top quality cognac and wine which even absolute monarchs or emperors would have had difficulties in having. Kim even has Japanese, French and Italian cooks who have been preparing dishes like shark`s fin soup everyday for Kim. High-ranking officials of the army and the party have also been apple-polishers of the table. And the cooks often had to go overseas business trips to buy lobsters, Czech beer, Thai papaya, Iranian caviar, Japanese fish, Danish pork and other delicacies.

Kim has been using gifts as a means of maintaining his power and loyalty from his followers. Along with sumptuous feasts, he has been bestowing luxury gifts like Mercedes-Benz sedans and Rolex watches. Rolex watches are regarded more precious than the flag decoration, first class medal awarded after the “hero” title. Most of the watches on which Kim’s name is engraved are given to his close aides. North Korea is a major Rolex watch importer. It has imported some 24 million dollars worth of watches over the past 10 years from Switzerland. 20 to 30 percent of automobiles in Pyongyang are also Mercedes-Benz cars.

At a dinner during the inter-Korean summit in 2000, extravagant local dishes were presented along with Chateau Latour, luxury French Bordeaux wine. Chung Dong-young, former Unification Minister, was treated during his visit last June with a bear foot dish and shark`s fin soup by the Stalinist regime dictator. It may be true that “gifts may even break rocks.” Quite a considerable number of South Korean senior officials who have been treated by Kim’s luxury feasts often say things sweet to the ears of the North’s leader. Would it be one of the reasons why some South Korean top officials are calling for a soft-approach toward North Korea’s nuclear test?

Gwon Sun-taek, Editorial Writer, maypole@donga.com