I think someguyinkorea has a key piece right: the South Korean establishment, whether left or right, has an investment in preventing both collapse of the north and unification with the north. The presence of the American troops helps with this policy by enabling financing of the north, increasing the reluctance of the North to attack, and encouraging China to keep the Nork regime going. Roh’s policy may seem a little crazy, but it makes sense to the South Korean establishment, and will continue, with some different gloss, when the Roh government is only in the history books.

The problem for the United States is that this is at odds with the paramount concern of American foreign policy: preventing the jihadis from getting WMDs. But I think American foreign policy wonks are concluding that the Nork regime is just a bunch of gangsters. For all their irrationality, gangsters can be remarkably aristotelian when it comes to their own survival. Everyone knows they’ll take the money: the South just has to outbid the jihadis…

Yes, the policy will continue.

Pity the North Korean people.

As of December, the 386 student council will no longer be running the show.

“Like a good cop/bad cop routine, that is what is necessary to send the proper message to NK.”

I agree, but aren’t the cops involved supposed to coordinate the routine with one another for it to work?

Yes, I think the Budweiser diplomacy would work with North Korea. Budweiser could be the new Hersey Bar. I think the Norks can understand and appreciate the importance of beer. Might not work with Sunni/Shite muslims though…

This statement certainly brought a smile to my face. I can’t detecdt any sarcasm; you actually seem to be conceding that the big bad USA of Bush and his minions might actually come in handy every once in a while.

What about our (US) image in the world, the one that every mainstream media commentor (here in CONUS) seems to constantly fret over? (I assume you’re a US citizen of Korean extraction).

Isn’t it time for us to stop being “mad bombers”, and instead resume our lost-but-mourned-for image as the world’s admired and beneficent “city on a hill”? Not to mention that we sell plenty of good fresh beer, both domestic and imported, at reasonable rates; that counts for a lot, in my book.

I’d actually prefer that; I don’t want my country to ever again be in a position where US-wielded weapons will be the cause of death for one single Korean. For the historical reasons that you so concisely point out, and with which I have to agree.

In the beginning, Chosun was simply a “Hermit Kingdown” minding its own business. Then Japan and some other powers came, messed around, and we have the lovely situation that we have today.

It could be reasonably argued that it was Japan’s fault that Korea is divided in the first place.

Ultimately, it is up to South Korea to try solve a huge, intractable mess which was inflicted upon them by outside powers and the whims of historical forces. And they are doing it even without a huge overpowering military advantage or even a significant diplomatic clout. They are doing it with the one advantage that SK has, which is economic strength.

I think Roh’s essential message is correct. He is saying SK’s policy and US’s policy dont necessary have to be at odds with each other. The US can do what it does best, which is threaten bombing and SK will do what it does best, which is offer economic incentives. Like a good cop/bad cop routine, that is what is necessary to send the proper message to NK.

“The biggest barrier, in fact, is the North Korean state, which is probably incapable of making the kinds of reforms needed to make South Korea’s so-called “investments in the future” pay dividends.”

That is the problem with the “Sunshine Policy” and its iterations; investing in North Korea is a waste of resources. It would be better to save for the day reunification does come.

Bullshit.”

My whole comment was made from the point of view of the Korean government.