Roh Defies Bush on North Korea Policy

The Korea Times

"President Roh Moo-hyun’s appointment of 'doves' on North Korea in his Nov. 1 Cabinet reshuffle is an apparent move to reject the Bush administration’s hard-line policy toward the North, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

The report said the recent reshuffle 'seemed to highlight his determination to keep trying to moderate North Korean behavior through engagement' despite the North’s nuclear test and the widening diplomatic friction between the allies on how to deal with the Stalinist regime.

In particular, the appointment of chief presidential security adviser Song Min-soon as minister of foreign affairs and trade has stirred up controversy. He publicly expressed objections to sanctions against Pyongyang by the international community.

'Our people acknowledge that North Korea cannot be an enemy forever. We will try to maintain amicable relations with North Korea for our freedom and stability,' Roh said." Full story.

What Mr. Roh doesn't seem to understand, and is the simple thinking which defies logic and that the left here and elsewhere fall victim to, which is wishing someone is not your enemy will not make it so; unless you, of course, are willing and prepared to become the victim of subjugation.