What Is the Meaning Of Kim Jong-Il’s Laughter?

I don’t remember seeing that good-humored smile for a long time. The smile was in a picture of Kim Jong-Il, who invited former president Bill Clinton to Pyongyang.

In order to dispel rumors of his serious medical condition, he may have tried to display his vitality, but he also could have been trying to control his expressiveness.

Though the U.S. government explained that Clinton was sent personally to rescue two female reporters, North Korea’s state-run news reported that the former president expressed his deepest apologies and conveyed Obama’s message of rapprochement.

Clinton neither apologized nor conveyed a message from Obama, but that’s not an issue for Kim Jong-Il. And in showing the North Korean populace how Mr. Clinton was made to stand downwind, he must be proud of his increased influence.

But what is important is not his fleeting increase in clout; it is what this develops into. Though this was a “personal” mission, for the North Koreans this is part of U.S.-North Korea negotiations, involving former State Department officials who were regular members of the Six-Party Talks. The American position may be “no negotiation” on the nuclear issue and other issues, but if Kim Jong-Il was able to suggest something concerning U.S.-North Korean relations, you can say that this is “indirect dialogue.”

Already, Secretary of State Clinton is expressing her desire for “positive” relations.

In the not too distant future, we should keep an eye on the possibility of dialogue between the two governments. Of course, the U.S. would want the dialogue to be “within the framework of the Six-Party Talks.”

The dialogue can be in any format. The problem is whether North Korea will take steps toward complete denuclearization.

The truth is that to America, North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and missile program are a great threat. The only assurance against North Korea developing past its current state and passing its technology onto various countries or terrorist organizations opposing the U.S. is its level of tolerance.

Japan though, being threatened, has no alternative but to pursue North Korea’s “complete disarmament.” This is where North Korea can take advantage.

Until now, the Obama administration has considered Japan’s situation and has avoided any easy compromise. Though I would want Obama to maintain this course, I wonder how North Korea will respond.

Recently, there has been debate in the U.S. about the scenario of a North Korean collapse. There has also been discussion about the possibility of U.S. armed forces searching for and securing nuclear weapons and materials. According to U.S. and Chinese media reports, China has rejected a U.S. proposal for a conference to discuss the event of a collapse. In either case, rumors of Kim Jong-Il’s worsening health remain.

This time, the Great Leader’s display of good health may temper discussions of a North Korean collapse. However, as their troubles continue, there is new news of a large-scale flood disaster. They should lighten up and consider the prospect of giving up nuclear weapons.