Not-Very-Hopeful Signs

Here’s just a cutting from a report on the first day of the six-nation talks:

While Kim Gye-gwan, the North’s top envoy to the talks, paid close attention to the opening remarks of his counterparts, throughout the opening ceremony, he seemed purposely to ignore the Japanese delegation. Mr. Kim deliberately looked the other way when Mr. Sasae made his speech and closed his eyes.

Apparently worried the talks might be derailed by the dispute, Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon of South Korea said in a speech, “At this point, it is not appropriate to engage in actions that could take away from the focus of the meeting.” He added, “There is a saying that to a navigator who does not know to which harbor he is heading, a fair wind is of no use.”

What’s so unreasonable about trying to protect your citizens, I wonder? Han Man-Taek could not be reached for comment.