DPRK Forum

(picture source)

Update 8 (Oct 4): The summit is finally over. There is an 8 prong plan:

1. South and North Korea to actively implement the June 15 [2000] Joint Declaration.

2. South and North Korea to work for mutual respect and trust in order to overcome differences in ideology, system.

3. South and North Korea to ease military tensions, resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiations. The two sides to set up a joint fishing area in the West Sea to avoid accidental armed conflict. The two sides to hold defence ministerial talks in November in Pyongyang to discuss ways of supporting inter-Korean economic cooperation and easing tension.

4. South and North Korea agree on need to end the current armistice and establish permanent peace. The two sides to push for a declaration of the ending of the Korean War in cooperation with neighbouring nations. South and North Korea to make joint efforts for the smooth implementation of the Sept 19 and Feb 13 six-nation nuclear agreements.

5. South and North Korea to expand economic cooperation for balanced development and co-prosperity. The two sides to create a special peace zone around Haeju in North Korea and nearby areas, as well as work towards a joint fishing area, peace waters, special economic zone, and joint development of the estuary of the Han River.

6. South and North Korea to develop cooperation in the history, language, education, technology, culture, sports, and social sectors. The two sides to open direct air route between Seoul and Mount Paekdu to allow South Koreans to visit the mountain in North Korea.

7. South and North Korea to actively push for humanitarian cooperation and expansion of reunion of separated families.

8. South and North Korea to strengthen cooperation for national interest in the international stage and the benefits of Korean residents abroad.

South and North Korea to hold talks between their prime ministers in November in Seoul to implement these agreements. Leaders of the two sides to hold frequent talks in order to consult on pending issues.

OK, an agreement was signed. That does not mean a lot until action is taken.

Update 7 (Oct 3): I apologize for the delay in the updates. There is not a lot regarding the mass games, but I am sure there will be a video posted sooner or later with Roh. I will make sure to post it for you good folks, and if you happen to see it, drop a link and I will post it.

Some unexpected changes happened at the summit, but it seemed to go OK. Kim seems happier now, but nowhere near as happy as the last summit that’s for sure. No matter, Roh cemented his legacy in the history books. Now we wait to see what they agreed to, and most of all, if it happens. In the world of North Korea, actions seem to differ from what they promise. Only time will tell on that one.

President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will announce a joint declaration this morning on the outcome of their three-day summit, according to the delegation accompanying the South Korean head of state.
…
However, it remained unclear until late in the night whether the joint document would address more sensitive issues such as denuclearization and humanitarian measures.

Cheon said the two leaders had substantive and frank discussions. “We regard the talks as productive. President Roh also said he was satisfied with the result of the talks,” he added. “We have presented almost all of our agenda items in the summit talks.”
…
Roh declined to give immediate answer and said he would have to discuss the proposal with his aides.
…
Roh watched the Arirang Festival, a gymnastics performance, as originally planned as the weather eased up just before the scheduled time. However, Kim who was expected to view the show with Roh, did not attend.

This is odd, because Kim seems to attend a lot of these things, but the reasons could be many with no way to know for sure. Another hallmark North Korea reality. Perhaps Roh might know, but that remains to be seen. Either way, the attendance at the mass games is causing a lot of controversy, but not as much as if the more sensitive issues will be discussed or agreed upon such as human rights. However, I do not see Kim Kim releasing any people from the gulags. Until I see that, it is just more talk, just like the summit itself. Until there is action on Kim’s part, it is symbolic and a way to make Roh look better in my opinion. If it is any different, feel free to send me some crow.

Some other interesting reading: Principles Worth Sticking to

Editorial: Inter-Korean Talks

Pictures of the mass games on The DaikyNK:

President Roh Moo Hyun viewed the “Arirang Performance,” which has been receiving criticisms of “maltreatment of children” from international society and human rights organizations, at the “May 1st Stadium” in Daedong River, Leungrado with Kim Young Nam, North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly Chairman at 8pm on the 3rd.
…
In particular, the serious “maltreatment of children” during the process of North Korean children preparing for the performance for many hours has been confirmed. As a result, human rights organizations have unfolded a protest against President Roh’s viewing of the performance.
…
By President Roh enforcing his attendance performance, it is predicted that criticisms of his alignment with maltreatment of children will be evoked after the event, especially from human rights organizations.

I have to agree this is not going to sit well at all. Maybe it was obligatory, but he could have declined just as he declined the extra day, so it was no excuse from where I am sitting. It seems very hypocritical to me.

More opinions about the summit via DailyNK

Update 6 (Oct 3): Two things happened since I looked. Roh was asked to extend his stay another day but declined. Kim was dumbfounded by the lack of power he wields according to this:

The following is a South Korean pool report of part of their conversation:

Kim Jong-il: “It’ll be good to push your schedule today to tomorrow, take your time and sit down, loosen your belt and have lunch tomorrow … Let’s delay your schedule by a day … How about you return in the morning (Friday)?”

Roh Moo-hyun: “There are two places (in the president’s office) which are more powerful than me. I think I have to discuss it with security and protocol.”

Kim: “The president can’t make the decision? All that’s needed is for the president to decide.”

Roh: “I decide on the big things. I can’t decide on the small things.”

Also, the talks were concluded:

I do not see the reports of Roh seeing the Mass Games yet. Perhaps later today.

Update 5 (Oct 2): It is down to buisness today, and what is being talked about is sketchy, but there are some ideas as talked about before. If Roh will talk about human rights abuses or the nuclear program is something I do not know, but I doubt it. Later today, Roh will go see the mass games. This has generated a lot of controversy, and I have to agree it is in bad taste. The chilly reception yesterday is also reported to have warmed up a little bit:

… North Korea’s Kim Jong-il appeared to warm to his South Korean visitor after an initial chilly reception.

Furthermore, it looks like the gift basket is confirmed (along with the cheap watches):

Roh presented gifts to the North Korean leader that included a bookcase full of South Korean DVDs, featuring popular soap operas and films starring Lee Young-ae

Yet his own people are not allowed to watch it. Way to go, Roh (can that be a new bumper sticker?). At any rate, they are talking about the flooding, and what the agenda is later has not been released so far. I will watch for that, or you are free to look. Also, there is speculation on what is behind the seemingly poor reception everything from losing grip on power to poor health. I t may be a combination or none at all. However, looking at the pictures, Kim Jong Il does not look like he is doing well. Thinning, graying hair and looks thinner. I do not see Kim giving up power anytime soon, but as said in previous postings, Kim has not chosen a successor at least publicly, so when he will do it or if it will ever happen is something people will wonder about until the actual event happens. I do not think there is enough time.

An interesting editorial

Update 4 (Oct 2): Some video of the event (Thanks SRS)

S-Korea President Roh Moo-hyun enters North

Roh Moo-Hyun & Kim Jung-Il meet in PyungYang

N-Korea’s citizens & Kim Jung-Il welcome Roh Moo-Hyun

Update 3 (Oct 2) : Wow, what a busy newsday, and I cannot keep up with all of it. Do not worry, I will try my best to cram as much updates for you as possible. Roh seems to be on a sightseeing tour and lunch today (FOX News showed the lunch just now, and Kim Jong Il was not there, oops), but so far, it does not seem like the negotiations have started:

During the luncheon, President Roh praised the beautiful scenery he saw while traveling on the expressway between Gaeseong and Pyongyang.

He also commented on the North’s agriculture, development of natural resources and light manufacturing industries.

That’s so sweet. I guess he saw the model cooperative farm. I doubt he went to the real North Korea. No matter, it seems Roh gave some goodies from the South and Kaesong:

President Roh briefly watched a recorded broadcast of his arrival in Pyongyang on a South Korean-made LCD TV.

I does not say if the North got to keep it, or if it was the LCD TV that was supposed to be given. What was confirmed is a set of watches from Kaesong:

Roh took nine sets of watches manufactured by South Korea’s Romanson company, which has a factory at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea, to Pyongyang, Kim Jung-sup, vice spokesman for Cheong Wa Dae, said.

“The President and first lady were heading to Pyongyang wearing Romanson watches, a symbol of inter-Korean business cooperation,” Kim said at the press center in the Lotte Hotel, central Seoul. “Roh plans to present one set to Chairman Kim and the others to North Korean officials.”

“By wearing and presenting the symbol of inter-Korean business cooperation, President Roh is expressing his will to achieve co-prosperity for the two Koreas,” Kim added.

Hm, sounds alright I suppose. I have to agree just how thrilled Kim Jong Il will be with cheap watches considering his champaigne tastes:

It was unclear how Kim, known for luxurious tastes in food and drink, would react to the relatively inexpensive gifts. Kim has presented top military officials in his country with expensive Swiss-made Rolex watches to seal loyalty to his regime, according to North Korean defectors in South Korea.

Looks like Roh is not making Kim happy. That’s too bad. But take heart, there is a stone monument to mark the occasion:

South Korea already has set up a stone monument to commemorate where its president crossed the frontier on foot to head to a summit with the North Korean leader.

So there you have it folks. This looks like to be a lackluster meeting. Hopefully it will get better a little later.

Also, you can read the lunch transcript here.

Update 2 (Oct 2) : It seems I was wrong about the significance of the event. While crossing the line was indeed historic for a South Korean president crossing it, it did not meet as much fanfare as the first summit of 2000. I did not really understand, and according to this report, second summits do not generally meet as much fanfare as a first. That makes some sense. I am also guessing the controversy surrounding it is not helping much either:

South Koreans remain relatively calm this time despite the historical significance of the country’s president passing over the tightly-sealed border on foot for the first time in a symbolic gesture for peace.

“It is not important whether the president walks across the border or not. The results of the summit are more important,” said Lee Jong-sung, who works at an electronics company in Seoul.

Experts pointed out that a second summit usually draws less attention than the first one.

Now I happen to agree it is the outcome and what will be done that will make a difference. We all know with the last fanfare of the 2000 summit, the bomb was tested. While the agenda is there, papers may be signed and lots of chummy behavior will ensue, will Kim keep his promises? I doubt it.

Now it is time to wait for further developments. One interesting aspect is the linkage of phone and Internet access.

Further, it also seems Kim Jong Il greeted Roh but this report (inclusing video) suggests Kim Jong Il did not seem really interested:

The leaders of North and South Korea have met face to face for only the second time in five decades. President Noh Moo-Hyun was greeted on arrival in Pyongyang by his opposite number, Kim Jong-il. It was a heavily-orchestrated moment, broadcast live on television; soldiers standing stiffly to attention, hundreds of onlookers rhythmically chanting their welcome.

That was expected. It is always a huge event when Kim meets anybody or blows his nose. no news there folks.

President Noh (Typo?) reviewed the troops alongside Kim, who, at times, looked almost uninterested. Earlier, President Noh had made a symbolic, low-key entrance to the secretive North, leaving his motorcade and crossing the border on foot, accompanied by his wife, before resuming the road journey to Pyongyang.

Looks like this is going to fizzle. Even North Koreans did not celebrate as loudly as in 2000:

But observers said the response was less rousing than in 2000, when some residents of the tightly controlled communist state broke down in tears of emotion.

“This is a good start as Kim showed up himself to greet Roh. However, the mood appears to be calmer than that of 2000,” said Paik Hak-soon, an analyst at the Seoul-based Sejong Institute.

The personality differences between Mr Kim and Mr Roh were readily apparent as they walked down the red carpet.

I guess Kim Jong Il is not that excited. Nor are a lot of South Koreans. I wonder why Kim Jong Il is not that excited? I mean he is getting all kinds of aid and things seem to be going his way. Could it be something bigger, such as his grip on power is slipping? Who knows.

Also, Kim looks disheveled, old and tired. He does not look like he is on good health at all.

But out of a dark car emerged the surprise: the communist state’s leader Kim Jong-il.

Wearing his trademark brown military-style jumpsuit, his expression austere and his belly protruding, the North Korean leader stood and waited to personally welcome Mr Roh.

It also said it was a surprise because it did not really follow the schedule (and as you North Korea travelers know, schedule is everything) or was changed for some reason:

According to the original schedule, Mr Roh was supposed to be welcomed at another location by Kim Yong-nam alone.

Then the ceremony was switched to the April 25 House of Culture and the surprise guest appeared.

Update (Oct 1) : Roh crosses the DMZ:

Update: See video here.

South Korea’s president crossed the Cold War’s last frontier on Tuesday in a symbolic walk of reconciliation for talks with his North Korean counterpart.

Exiting his bulletproof black Mercedes, President Roh Moo-hyun walked across the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone on the Korean Peninsula for talks in Pyongyang with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Roh became the first leader from either side to cross the border on foot.

So starts the summit. I forgot about the time difference, so now it is time to watch for further developments. Stay tuned as I look around some more for video and the like.

More news links: hankyoreh link

Prior to the walk across the line shortly after 9 a.m., Roh said that he had mixed emotions standing at the inter-Korean border.

“This is an important day. I’m excited, but I feel complicated.
I can see nothing around here. But this (invisible) border line has been a barrier separating the Korean people for the past half a century,” said the president.

“The Korean people have suffered too much pain because of this border line. I’ll work hard to pave the way for (inter-Korean) peace and prosperity,” said Roh.

Roh’s historic walk was broadcast live around the world.

…and I missed it. I need to find a video stream somewhere. Edit: See link on the top.

Around noon, Roh and his entourage will enter downtown Pyongyang, with a warm welcome expected from a large number of citizens lining the streets, before arriving at the Paekhwawon State Guest House, the official accommodation for the president and the first lady.

Roh will then visit the Mansudae Assembly Hall in the afternoon to hold talks with Kim Yong-nam, North Korea’s titular head of state who holds the post of chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Roh will also visit Pyongyang’s Three-Revolution Exhibition to look around its Heavy Industry Hall before attending the official welcome dinner to be hosted by Kim Yong-nam at the Mokran Restaurant.

Presidential officials said it still remains unclear when and where North Korean leader Kim will show up to greet Roh.

Traditionally, the itinerary and activities of the North’s reclusive leader have been kept strictly confidential.

I would imagine he will show up sooner or later.

The Korea Times

The inter-Korean summit to be held in Pyongyang is a highly significant international event. However, for most reporters, the Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul will be the closest they could get to the North Korean capital.

Ahn Young-bae, vice minister of South Korea’s Government Information Agency, hopes that the latest advancements in telecommunications would keep geography from becoming too much of a factor.

So it looks like no camera crew is going along? I thought I read somewhere that was in the works, but I guess I was wrong.

Herald Tribune

Reuters - The summit agenda

More pictures of the crossing :

“I am now crossing this forbidden line as a president,” a solemn Roh said just before stepping across the world’s last Cold War frontier.

“After I return home, many more people will do likewise. Then this line of division will finally be erased and the barrier will break down.

“This visit will help tear down the wall of division, ease national pain from the division and lead to the path for peace and reconcilation.”

I still do not see where he crossed exactly. Ahh, looks like he went to the Paju checkpoint then crossed over near the truce village, but not over the famous concrete line. Man, I was hoping for that:

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and his wife Kwon Yang-sook cross the borderline, dividing the peninsula near the truce village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas since the Korean War in Paju, north of Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday.

Alright. So you can see a better picture there. So now we wait for more developments. Stay tuned.

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Old post: The 2nd will come sooner than later, and Korea watchers will be standing closely to watch the events unfold. There are many commentaries on how the summit will go, criticisms and supporters. Despite the divide on the issue, it will make history because as stated before, a South Korean president walking across the DMZ at Panmunjom would be a pretty big event. Yes, largely a symbolic move. For better or worse, this will cement Roh in history along with his predecessor. Will it have a big an impact as before? That I cannot say because history will be the judge of that. Either way, whoever trumps whom in the history books, the event will be big nonetheless.

Now will CNN have constant coverage on the event? Not sure, but there seems to be too many other things going on in America eclipsing the DMZ event and the summit in general. However, it may have some coverage because of the six party talks, but most likely, the conclusion of the six party talks will have bigger buzz. I would not place bets on my predictions though.

Anyway, this posting will cover the summit and the events that happen. So watch this space.

Link to one such story on the event:

According to presidential officials, Roh will walk about 30 to 40 meters across the MDL in order to emphasize the historic significance of the first overland cross-border trip by South Korean head of state. The historic sight of Roh’s cross-border walk will be broadcast live around the world, they said, adding the president will unveil a message of peace prior to walking across the border.

(removed video)

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