Is it just me, or do Kyung Hee University GIP folk have a problem with Michael O’Hanlon? In the Asia Times, David Scofield - lecturer at the GIP and, from what I understand, occasional reader of this blog - takes his turn explaining (much more eloquently than I ever could) why a “Grand Bargain” with North Korea is a pipe dream. It’s long, and you’d better read the piece in its entirety, but here’s a particularly powerful snippet:
The belief that more bargains, even “grand” ones, will lead to anything more than more broken promises, greater regional instability and an increased danger of proliferation of fissile and other materials in the interim is fantasy. A belief in a negotiated settlement with North Korea requires a complete suspension of reality, and will likely leave the United States and its regional allies in an even tougher spot when it eventually fails - as Pyongyang will, with history again as a guide, spend what resources it can usurp from the agreement to fortify its defensive and offensive capabilities further.
Note to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and/or Ministry of Unification: The National Arboretum in Namyangju is rather nice this time of year. Why don’t you guys ride out there, sit down with Mr. Scofield, and listen carefully to what he has to say, because the man speaks more sense than anything I’ve heard coming out of your ministries in the last several years.
(Hat tip to Kevin at IA)
