Comments on: More on KJI’s Request for Extension http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/ Korea... in Blog Format Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:47:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Hwarang http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111679 Hwarang Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:04:45 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111679 I agree this could've been a test of sorts. If Roh said yes, then Dear Leader's folks will say Kim has Roh eager to meet with him for as long as possible to receive Kim's guidance. If Roh says no, then that can be interpreted any number of ways, including an unwillingness to work towards concrete progress on (insert issue here). Unfortunately, I think Roh's answer was even worse, and he started digging a hole for himself when he said he'd have to check with his peeps first. In an effort to cover that up he said "The big [issues] I can decide on but the little [issues] I cannot decide." I'm actually surprised KJI didn't scold him with a retort like, "So you don't think meeting with me is an important issue?" or "Yes, and you should check with the Americans, too, to see if it's OK!" Kim's a sneaky, clever guy, and I'm sure he'll find a way to get some propaganda mileage out of that. I agree this could’ve been a test of sorts. If Roh said yes, then Dear Leader’s folks will say Kim has Roh eager to meet with him for as long as possible to receive Kim’s guidance. If Roh says no, then that can be interpreted any number of ways, including an unwillingness to work towards concrete progress on (insert issue here).

Unfortunately, I think Roh’s answer was even worse, and he started digging a hole for himself when he said he’d have to check with his peeps first. In an effort to cover that up he said “The big [issues] I can decide on but the little [issues] I cannot decide.”

I’m actually surprised KJI didn’t scold him with a retort like, “So you don’t think meeting with me is an important issue?” or “Yes, and you should check with the Americans, too, to see if it’s OK!”

Kim’s a sneaky, clever guy, and I’m sure he’ll find a way to get some propaganda mileage out of that.

]]> By: Zonath http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111630 Zonath Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:59:13 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111630 #1, #9 - How long is the drive between Seoul and P'yang? Couldn't they make it on one tank of gas (with enough left over for a trip to Everland)? #1, #9 - How long is the drive between Seoul and P’yang? Couldn’t they make it on one tank of gas (with enough left over for a trip to Everland)?

]]> By: Antti http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111629 Antti Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:53:09 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111629 Hardyandtiny: <blockquote>Did they re-fuel the cars and buses? How much is a liter of gas up there?</blockquote> <a href="http://www.dailynk.com/korean/read.php?cataId=nk01300&num=5141" rel="nofollow">Daily NK tells</A> that a couple of years ago one kilo of gas (they use the weight unit in the north) cost a half month's salary of a worker, that is 1500 won. Most cars run with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas" rel="nofollow">wood gas</A> as was the case during WW2 here in Finland, but I guess Benz drivers in DPRK opt for not installing a wood gas burner in their vehicles. An earlier report by Daily NK from 2001 has it that diesel fuel was 50 won and normal gas 100 won a liter, so there seems to have been quite a rise. Hardyandtiny:

Did they re-fuel the cars and buses? How much is a liter of gas up there?

Daily NK tells that a couple of years ago one kilo of gas (they use the weight unit in the north) cost a half month’s salary of a worker, that is 1500 won.
Most cars run with wood gas as was the case during WW2 here in Finland, but I guess Benz drivers in DPRK opt for not installing a wood gas burner in their vehicles.

An earlier report by Daily NK from 2001 has it that diesel fuel was 50 won and normal gas 100 won a liter, so there seems to have been quite a rise.

]]> By: virtual wonderer http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111605 virtual wonderer Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:39:15 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111605 man... what i would give to find out what goes on in that guy's head... man… what i would give to find out what goes on in that guy’s head…

]]> By: Sonagi http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111582 Sonagi Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:05:27 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111582 Media transcripts of the exchange appear to have edited out KJI's advisor rephrasing Roh's reply, which apparently, KJI didn't understand. Click the third VOD at the following link (Blue House website): http://www.president.go.kr/cwd/kr/archive/archive_view.php?meta_id=inter_korean_summit&id=7efce9d099922d0a0cc1486 Media transcripts of the exchange appear to have edited out KJI’s advisor rephrasing Roh’s reply, which apparently, KJI didn’t understand. Click the third VOD at the following link (Blue House website):

http://www.president.go.kr/cwd.....d0a0cc1486

]]> By: mcnut http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111580 mcnut Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:47:49 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111580 I am sure there are plenty of people wishing they all stayed up there permanently! I am sure there are plenty of people wishing they all stayed up there permanently!

]]> By: mjw http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111578 mjw Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:17:02 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111578 "personally, it looked like KJI was just testing Roh." Wow. That's deep. Anyways, this summit will surely put to the test the notion that more talk is always better than less. I'm normally a proponent of more talk but, in this instance, there is just way too much concern about Roh giving away the store. Better to keep him on as tight a leash as possible and pull him back here before any damage could be done. Another consideration, though: imagining for a second that Roh was not such a fucking loser (I know... big request..), wouldn't it be nice if the leader could break free of the security/protocol diplomatic institution that binds all leaders and do something really daring? Ok, back to reality... “personally, it looked like KJI was just testing Roh.”

Wow. That’s deep.

Anyways, this summit will surely put to the test the notion that more talk is always better than less. I’m normally a proponent of more talk but, in this instance, there is just way too much concern about Roh giving away the store. Better to keep him on as tight a leash as possible and pull him back here before any damage could be done.

Another consideration, though: imagining for a second that Roh was not such a fucking loser (I know… big request..), wouldn’t it be nice if the leader could break free of the security/protocol diplomatic institution that binds all leaders and do something really daring?

Ok, back to reality…

]]> By: judge judy http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111568 judge judy Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:58:55 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111568 <blockquote>I think it’s a good idea if we were to have a leisurely belt buckle releasing lunch.</blockquote> Sounds like he was trying to bugger the great pretender.

I think it’s a good idea if we were to have a leisurely belt buckle releasing lunch.

Sounds like he was trying to bugger the great pretender.

]]> By: Kunsanpcv http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111565 Kunsanpcv Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:29:15 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111565 Maybe all those checks just had not cleared yet? :^) Maybe all those checks just had not cleared yet? :^)

]]> By: Sonagi http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111560 Sonagi Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:33:18 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/10/03/more-on-kjis-request-for-extension/#comment-111560 <blockquote>The above exchange has sent the Korean media scrambling to interpret KJI’s motive behind the request. Personally, it looked like KJI was testing Roh.</blockquote> I wondered if KJI was just too tired to endure a long afternoon meeting. Notice how haggard he looked on the first day. He was smiling and talking more yesterday, but that 2 1/2 hour meeting was probably a strain for him. He really needs his beauty rest.

The above exchange has sent the Korean media scrambling to interpret KJI’s motive behind the request. Personally, it looked like KJI was testing Roh.

I wondered if KJI was just too tired to endure a long afternoon meeting. Notice how haggard he looked on the first day. He was smiling and talking more yesterday, but that 2 1/2 hour meeting was probably a strain for him. He really needs his beauty rest.

]]>