Comments on: What’s the Value of a North Korean Disclosure Anyway? http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/ Tue, 22 May 2012 21:47:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: OneFreeKorea » The Unstoppable Self-Destruction of Kim Jong Il http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-55187 OneFreeKorea » The Unstoppable Self-Destruction of Kim Jong Il Sun, 21 Oct 2007 11:39:48 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-55187 [...] What a difficult thing it is to be a friend to Kim Jong Il. Throw him a lifeline and he’ll pull you into the whirlpool.  Consider:  Roh Moo Hyun squandered billions of dollars and his presidency to save him.  George W. Bush squandered much of his support among foreign policy conservatives and key members of his own party.  And only a few accountants in the Forbidden City know how much China has squandered on preserving his misrule.  Kim Jong Il’s dependence on so many outreached hands won’t doom him, but his incomprehensible persistence in biting them could, especially in the hour of his greatest need.  Which, again, is now: According to the study conducted by DailyNK in late September this year, the rice price in the northern part of North Korea increased by 500 North Korean won on average between early July and September. In the market in Sinuiju of North Pyongan Province, the rice price rose from 980 Won/kg to 1,400 Won/kg.  [….] [...] [...] What a difficult thing it is to be a friend to Kim Jong Il. Throw him a lifeline and he’ll pull you into the whirlpool.  Consider:  Roh Moo Hyun squandered billions of dollars and his presidency to save him.  George W. Bush squandered much of his support among foreign policy conservatives and key members of his own party.  And only a few accountants in the Forbidden City know how much China has squandered on preserving his misrule.  Kim Jong Il’s dependence on so many outreached hands won’t doom him, but his incomprehensible persistence in biting them could, especially in the hour of his greatest need.  Which, again, is now: According to the study conducted by DailyNK in late September this year, the rice price in the northern part of North Korea increased by 500 North Korean won on average between early July and September. In the market in Sinuiju of North Pyongan Province, the rice price rose from 980 Won/kg to 1,400 Won/kg.  [….] [...]

]]> By: OneFreeKorea » Who Cares About Politicizing Intelligence Now? http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-54874 OneFreeKorea » Who Cares About Politicizing Intelligence Now? Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:12:10 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-54874 [...] Less clear is whether it would be a flagrant violation of the Bush Administration’s vague new deal with North Korea, a/k/a Agreed Framework 2.0.  Not that it matters.  If this blatant act of proliferation is a violation, it’s just the latest example of “before the ink is even dry” that proves (again) the inescapable truth about dealing with Kim Jong Il.  But if one can say that such an act as this is permissible under AF 2.0 and consistent with its continuation, the deal and the diplomatic process in which it’s being baked are so deathly flawed as to have no value for our nation’s security.  This is the diplomatic equivalent of Willie Horton getting away with raping his parole officer. One U.S. official told ABC’s Martha Raddatz the material was “jaw dropping” because it raised questions as to why U.S. intelligence had not previously picked up on the facility.  Officials said that the facility had likely been there for months if not years.  “Israel tends to be very thorough about its intelligence coverage, particularly when it takes a major military step, so they would not have acted without data from several sources,” said ABC military consultant Tony Cordesman. [...] [...] Less clear is whether it would be a flagrant violation of the Bush Administration’s vague new deal with North Korea, a/k/a Agreed Framework 2.0.  Not that it matters.  If this blatant act of proliferation is a violation, it’s just the latest example of “before the ink is even dry” that proves (again) the inescapable truth about dealing with Kim Jong Il.  But if one can say that such an act as this is permissible under AF 2.0 and consistent with its continuation, the deal and the diplomatic process in which it’s being baked are so deathly flawed as to have no value for our nation’s security.  This is the diplomatic equivalent of Willie Horton getting away with raping his parole officer. One U.S. official told ABC’s Martha Raddatz the material was “jaw dropping” because it raised questions as to why U.S. intelligence had not previously picked up on the facility.  Officials said that the facility had likely been there for months if not years.  “Israel tends to be very thorough about its intelligence coverage, particularly when it takes a major military step, so they would not have acted without data from several sources,” said ABC military consultant Tony Cordesman. [...]

]]> By: OneFreeKorea » Define “All” http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-54853 OneFreeKorea » Define “All” Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:56:52 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-54853 [...] My problem with all of this is a much simpler one than of the devil hiding among details.  My problem is that I can’t suspend my disbelief of anything the North Koreans say.  The word of the North Koreans will never give us any security; we’ll always worry about what they haven’t declared and won’t let us inspect.  Given North Korea’s extensive network of underground facilities, we won’t even know what doors or hatches to knock on.  In America, the debate over this deal is divided into two camps:  those who can’t suspend their disbelief, and those who are determined to find a way in the name of some illusory “greater good.”  Everyone shares the disbelief.  It’s just a question of how far you’re prepared to go to rationalize it away. [...] [...] My problem with all of this is a much simpler one than of the devil hiding among details.  My problem is that I can’t suspend my disbelief of anything the North Koreans say.  The word of the North Koreans will never give us any security; we’ll always worry about what they haven’t declared and won’t let us inspect.  Given North Korea’s extensive network of underground facilities, we won’t even know what doors or hatches to knock on.  In America, the debate over this deal is divided into two camps:  those who can’t suspend their disbelief, and those who are determined to find a way in the name of some illusory “greater good.”  Everyone shares the disbelief.  It’s just a question of how far you’re prepared to go to rationalize it away. [...]

]]> By: OneFreeKorea » Is North Korea Selling Nukes to Syria? http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-53968 OneFreeKorea » Is North Korea Selling Nukes to Syria? Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:56:42 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-53968 [...] This would be a deal breaker for Agreed Framework 2.0 and Agreed Framework 2.1, so the State Department’s less principled personalities have an incentive to disbelieve the story, and to discourage everyone else from believing it.  In circumstances like those, legitimate questions about this report will be especially difficult to sort out from illegitimate ones, and if this story gets legs in our current political climate, count on plenty of addlebrained conspiracy theories to fog up the image.  [...] [...] This would be a deal breaker for Agreed Framework 2.0 and Agreed Framework 2.1, so the State Department’s less principled personalities have an incentive to disbelieve the story, and to discourage everyone else from believing it.  In circumstances like those, legitimate questions about this report will be especially difficult to sort out from illegitimate ones, and if this story gets legs in our current political climate, count on plenty of addlebrained conspiracy theories to fog up the image.  [...]

]]> By: DPRK Forum » Are happy days ahead for Kim Jong Il? http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-53038 DPRK Forum » Are happy days ahead for Kim Jong Il? Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:47:41 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-53038 [...] Edit: Also see DPRK Studies and One Free Korea’s Update [?] Share This [...] [...] Edit: Also see DPRK Studies and One Free Korea’s Update [?] Share This [...]

]]> By: North Korea off the Terrorist List? Waiting for U.S. Confirmation at DPRK Studies http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-53037 North Korea off the Terrorist List? Waiting for U.S. Confirmation at DPRK Studies Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:24:50 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-53037 [...] What’s the Value of a North Korean Disclosure Anyway? [...] [...] What’s the Value of a North Korean Disclosure Anyway? [...]

]]> By: US to Remove North Korea from State Sponsored Terrorism List? at ROK Drop http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-53015 US to Remove North Korea from State Sponsored Terrorism List? at ROK Drop Mon, 03 Sep 2007 12:01:20 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-53015 [...] Make sure to read OFK’s take on this. [...] [...] Make sure to read OFK’s take on this. [...]

]]> By: DPRK Forum » North Korea to finally disable the nuke program? http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-52927 DPRK Forum » North Korea to finally disable the nuke program? Sun, 02 Sep 2007 17:35:20 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-52927 [...] I have to agree with One Free Korea’s entry about the word of Kim Jong Il: Stated differently, who in his right mind would believe thes guys?  I don’t think anything could possibly convince me that North Korea had disarmed itself of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons as long as the country is led by Kim Jong Il, or whatever junta follows the unexpected broadcast that he’s resting comfortably in a sanitorium until he recovers his health.  You’ve got to be delusional to trust these people.  You have to be ignorant of the regime’s nature and characteristics to underestimate their determination and their ability to conceal. [...] [...] I have to agree with One Free Korea’s entry about the word of Kim Jong Il: Stated differently, who in his right mind would believe thes guys?  I don’t think anything could possibly convince me that North Korea had disarmed itself of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons as long as the country is led by Kim Jong Il, or whatever junta follows the unexpected broadcast that he’s resting comfortably in a sanitorium until he recovers his health.  You’ve got to be delusional to trust these people.  You have to be ignorant of the regime’s nature and characteristics to underestimate their determination and their ability to conceal. [...]

]]> By: Jack http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-52919 Jack Sun, 02 Sep 2007 15:03:22 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-52919 There was an interesting article on Google News: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK30043020070902" rel="nofollow">North Korea tour guide has own recipe for detente</a> and the official line in North Korea is they want the bomb to feel safe from the evil imperialists. It is my feeling the DPRK government not only wants it for the propaganda value but it also guarantees the regime to go on because there is this little habit of the international community giving in while Kim Jong Il remains an asshat. Sure, they shut it down for now, but there are no indications it has been dismantled. They will milk this thing for all it is worth and they will get what they want anyhow. Also, what good did the past summit and deals do anyway? They still tested missiles and bombs even after Kim promised stuff. Yes, Kim Jong Il is not going to change. As much as I want full sanctions and the government to go away to free the people from a very selfish and sadistic man, that wish looks like it is a long way away. There was an interesting article on Google News:
North Korea tour guide has own recipe for detente

and the official line in North Korea is they want the bomb to feel safe from the evil imperialists. It is my feeling the DPRK government not only wants it for the propaganda value but it also guarantees the regime to go on because there is this little habit of the international community giving in while Kim Jong Il remains an asshat.

Sure, they shut it down for now, but there are no indications it has been dismantled. They will milk this thing for all it is worth and they will get what they want anyhow. Also, what good did the past summit and deals do anyway? They still tested missiles and bombs even after Kim promised stuff. Yes, Kim Jong Il is not going to change.

As much as I want full sanctions and the government to go away to free the people from a very selfish and sadistic man, that wish looks like it is a long way away.

]]> By: North Korea Blog » What?s the Value of a North Korean Disclosure Anyway? http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/comment-page-1/#comment-52912 North Korea Blog » What?s the Value of a North Korean Disclosure Anyway? Sun, 02 Sep 2007 13:51:27 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/09/02/whats-the-value-of-a-north-korean-disclosure-anyway/#comment-52912 [...] Read more of this story… [...] [...] Read more of this story… [...]

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