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Permalink Reply by vince rubino on December 23, 2011 at 12:30pm

His girth definitely makes him look American, doesn't it?  But his hairstyle looks way more like a Vietnamese gangster.  The look fits his job description.

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Permalink Reply by Martin Fieldhouse on January 6, 2012 at 4:29pm

Respect ma Authoritah!   :-)

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Permalink Reply by Daniel on December 23, 2011 at 10:40am

In my opinion what stands in between the north and south Korea is political philosophy and half a century of brain washing. Otherwise they are one people with one history and philosophy. Asia may look diversified in philosophies and religion, however, they have common roots in their philosophical inquiries. As an ethnic Indian I have traveled all over Asia and what I see is India in its different form. This means Asia is one as Europe but time has separated them into different units. European level unification is impossible in Asia, however, it is possible for a peaceful coexistence.

I do agree with you Mr. Kannan when you explained how you have traveled all over Asia and what... see... India in its different form. ..  India, in my understanding, is the amazing version in the world of tolerance and openmindedness.  Essentially, of beauty.  All major philosophical-theological traditions came from India, from Judaism to Buddhism to the 33 million gods under the one "roof" Hinduism.  However, Korea used India's thoughts on Buddhism and developed along with Confucianism a society built on focus, strength, diligence.  It is a great form of beauty but quite difficult to live in and to want to bring children into.

But the world is not just about tolerance.  It is not just about beauty.  And it certainly is not just about strength.  It is also about being intelligent enough to pull it all together so as to coexist peacefully.  Beauty-intelligent-strength, equal to each other and able to grow freely while also being mindful of the others.  That is what is needed.  NK and SK don't have it.

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Permalink Reply by stephanemot on December 23, 2011 at 11:24am

as expected, polls show that Ahn took a hit vs conservatives in this time of uncertainties. Park Geun-hye gains ground, but I don't think the best message from a model democracy would be to promote another dynasty.

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Permalink Reply by vince rubino on December 27, 2011 at 12:48pm

Here's a recent article with a hopeful insight:

Dead North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's former chef Kenji Fujimoto says Kim's son and heir Jong-un will embrace Chinese-style reforms for the Stalinist country. 

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/12/27/20111227012...

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Permalink Reply by Nobuyuki Nojima on January 3, 2012 at 11:35am

I don't understand the reactions of North Korean people at the death of their oppressor. They are brainwashed into believing in the hypocrisy of their dictator ? They have to wake up from their deception if the reunification is ever to happen. The tone of their newscaster is very forceful and threatening too. I'm scared of what will happen on the peninsula. 

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Permalink Reply by stephanemot on January 3, 2012 at 3:28pm

Remember the recent disastrous monetary reforms up North? They just banned all use of US dollars in North Korea, and this seems the best way to trigger unrests. Suicidal move and timing for Kim Jong-un, who will inevitably pass for an incompetent, 'unruly teenager' from day 1. Maybe that's precisely what his advisors want (either the said advisor is a moron, or he wants to break the dynasty).

Of course, it could be another way of spotting friends and foes across the nation...

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Permalink Reply by Leonid Petrov on January 3, 2012 at 4:48pm

Kim Jeong-Eun is the top leader already. Pyongyang cannot afford giving more freedom to its citizens as long as the Korean War (1950~) is continuing. Don't expect any change in North Korea as long as there is no change in the South. After the sixty years of total separation the unification of Korea is no longer possible due to conflicting identities of North and South Koreans.

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Permalink Reply by stephanemot on January 3, 2012 at 5:18pm

It's not only between North and South Koreans: ending the Sunshine policy turned out to be a gift for China.

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Permalink Reply by Nobuyuki Nojima on January 3, 2012 at 6:13pm

I'm really afraid of North Korea, so I hate to go much deeper into this discussion. But Kim Jong-un seems to have a special advisor in his uncle, so he's the top leader in name only. I think the South Koreans are bravely coping with the North Koreans, so they don't have to change at all. It's the North Koreans that have to change.

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Permalink Reply by stephanemot on January 3, 2012 at 6:27pm

Jang Sung-taek has been in and out of favor under Kim Jong-il, but over the past few years and as Kim Jong-un's chaperone, he seems to have moved closer to China.

I don't think KJI fully trusted JST, I don't know how many people the ailing leader picked around his son... and I certainly don't know what KJU thinks of it.

One thing is sure: nothing is certain!

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Permalink Reply by Nobuyuki Nojima on January 3, 2012 at 7:21pm

Please don't scare me. I want to sleep well tonight. I hope that KJU has a better perception of the world. They say that he's travelled abroad. They also say that China has a great sway over North Korea now.

You say that nothing is certain, but they say that they won't change their maverick policy. If so, we must ensure that they abide by the NPT treaty and KJU properly feed his people.  

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