Unfortunately this is exactly right…
Whenever I try to talk with South Koreans about it they become defensive and try to change the topic. Maybe afraid to lose face?
Usually it sounds like this:
“But how do you know the situation there is so bad? We have been there (Kaesong, Geumgangsan) and it seemed ok. Have you been there?”
“But we’ve already sent so much money? What else do they want?”
“Don’t read stories about prison camps… they’re American propaganda! Our brothers aren’t capable of cruelty towards other Koreans.”
“We have so many domestic problems and Americans are trying to kill is with their beef; and our president is the Devil (yes, they really call him the DEVIL!LMAO!). We need to concentrate on our country and they need to concentrate on theirs”.

This ALL is a result of a deadly “sunshine” policy and distorted history books, depicting KIS as the “japanese fighter” and KJI as the “chairman”.
And after 2MB’s fiasco with the beef, the number of leftists has even increased.
Probably the number of real leftists in the South is greater than that in the North.

“- The US Military participation in Bosnia hasn’t solved anything after 10+ years.”

The United States deserves credit for stopping the war, which neither Europeans nor the UN could manage to do. Even the UN, for all its shortcomings, managed to mitigate the violence, distribute food aid, assist refugees, etc. Saved tens of thousands of lives. A perfect solution has not been found, but it is far better than the situation was in the early 90s.

“- The 50+ year Financial embargo against Cuba hasn’t replaced the leaders there.”

Neither did the Bay of Pigs invasion, assassination attempts, dropping leaflets, etc. Like it or not, the leadership still has - and always has had - its supporters in Cuba. Once Raul goes - and, interestingly, he seems to be somewhat more reform minded than Fidel - Cuba will change. Kind of like how North Korea will only really change once fatso leaves the building. I just hope that it is Cuban reformers - not Floridians - chart the course for what comes next.

“- The US’ Military and Financial presence in ‘friendly’ places (such as South Korea) isn’t always well-received.”

Comes with the territory. The US takes a lot of shit for playing the role it does. Bad PR doesn’t help matters, but there is always going to be some resentment as long as American military forces are on foreign land, even in allied countries .

I think the only thing the US can do about North Korea, considering the lack of enthusiasm of China (no surprise there), South Korea, and Japan for tougher action (ie. possible war) is to wait for KJI to die. Whether humanitarian aid should be linked to politics is a tough call.

After watching this clip, I hate Kim Dae Jung and North Korea more.

PS, Write your Congressman.

PS, don’t bother writing about candle lights.

PS, You are stupid.