Comments on: House Dems Block Bill Demanding Release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, Re-Listing N. Korea as a Terror-Sponsor

By: usinkorea

usinkorea — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:53:41 +0000

But, if the US government is to speak with one voice, Congress will have to be brought along. The president has control over foreign policy and I guess could do things like the banking sanctions through Treasury, but Congress has to have a part to play through legislation the president might want to see done.

That is what makes me pause a moment seeing the Dems in Congress shut this stuff up.

Maybe they want the president and themselves to be the one to craft the bills…?

It is still early since Obama started talking harder, but, we should see the Dems in Congress coming around soon with tough measures against the North.

Otherwise, it starts to look like there is a rift in NK policy between the executive and legislative branches – like we’ve seen before.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:34:45 +0000

Like you say, “There is reason to be cautiously optimistic about the Presidentâ€™s North Korea policy.” The US should speak with one voice on North Korea policy, and that voice should be from the administration. Congress should stay out of it.

“Cha called for the Pentagon to consider moving back the handover of operational control to the Korean military.” I’m not sure this is relevant to the current crisis. The South Koreans have long been against transformation. In fact they have been stonewalling for a long time. This crisis is a perfect time for them to push their agenda.

Monday is the anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration. With this anniversary, the pending UN sanctions, and the meeting between Lee and Obama can we expect an exciting week? I am very disturbed by the near universal indifference the S. Korean’s have towards this crisis. The lack of coverage in Korea and the US press is disappointing.

By: Fred Fry

Fred Fry — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:15:32 +0000

I wonder how much of this has to do with Clinton being in one of the hot seats with everyone around her knowing that her husband failed to change the situation with the North, not to mention Bushâ€™s lack of luck, other than identifying the financial weak-link.

How often has Obama heard â€˜Bill tried thatâ€™ from Hillary in relation to North Koreaâ€¦