 demonstration (to my ears) of where that came from. It's
possible perhaps that Xi Jinping whispered wonderful ideas and/or threats in
Kim Jong-un's ear when he visited, but that's opaque to us and media I've read
seems to be ignorant of such potential influence. If Kim were so serious, we
should need him to demonstrate that credibly to us, through actions that are
costly for him to take: in particular, pitching this change of vision directly
and passionately to the populace of North Korea.

Kim Jong-un wants to get out from under the chokehold of heavy trade
sanctions. He wants to be legitimized in the international community as the
leader of a real nation. He wants to modernize both his military and his
nation and his personal life. He probably dreams of visiting Paris and
Manhattan.

It is my belief that he will be able to get these things -- without giving up
nuclear weapons, missiles, nor giving up his political or military power over
North Korea. From Kim's perspective, democratic politicians are weak and
manipulable, and he will find it to be especially true right now.

(edit: s/telescoped/telegraphed/ \-- thanks!)

~~~
hangonhn
That he's been able to do this with South Korea alone without the US at the
table tells you how strong of a hand he has and how weak our hand is.

I think this is a ploy to do two things: 1\. Economic growth for North Korea,
which has been happened to some extend already. 2\. Get the US out of the
Korean Peninsula.

A strong economy will allow NK to develop or buy all sorts of updated
conventional arms. NK is seriously weak here. Their air force is horribly out
of date. I doubt they can actually defeat South Korea in a conventional war
even if the US is not helping SK.

Once the US presence is no longer there, it becomes a lot harder for the US to
re-enter in times of conflict because now NK can threaten us with nuclear
weapons. Most American will not trade Seattle or SF for South Korea.

Unification of Korea is pretty much a non-negotiatable goal for the North
Korean regime. It's been their goal since the start and the reason why the
leading families in NK
demonstration (to my ears) of where that came from. It's 
 possible possibly that Xi Jinping whisper fantastic ideas and/or threats in 
 Kim Jong - un's ear when he travel to, but that's opaque to us and media I've read 
 seem to be ignorant of such likely influence. If Kim were so serious, we 
 should need him to demonstrate that credibly to us, through actions that are 
 dearly-won for him to take: in particular, pitching this change of sight directly 
 and passionately to the populace of North Korea. 

 Kim Jong - un wants to get out from under the chokehold of fleshy trade 
 sanctions. He wants to be legalize in the international community as the 
 drawing card of a real state. He wants to modernize both his military and his 
 nation and his personal life. He probably dreams of visit Paris and 
 Manhattan. 

 It is my belief that he will be able to get these things -- without giving up 
 nuclear weapons, missiles, nor giving up his political or military power over 
 North Korea. From Kim's perspective, democratic politicians are weak and 
 manipulable, and he will find it to be especially true right now. 

 (edit: s / telescope / telegraphed/ \-- thanks !) 

 ~~~ 
 hangonhn 
 That he's been able to do this with South Korea alone without the US at the 
 board tell you how strong of a hand he has and how unaccented our bridge player is. 

 I think this is a ploy to serve two things: 1\. Economic growth for North Korea, 
 which has been happened to some extend already. 2\. Get the US out of the 
 Korean Peninsula. 

 A strong economy will allow NK to train or buy all sorts of updated 
 conventional branch. NK is seriously faint here. Their air force is horribly out 
 of date. I doubt they can actually defeat South Korea in a conventional war 
 even if the US is not avail SK. 

 Once the US presence is no longer there, it becomes a lot hard for the US to 
 re - enter in times of conflict because now NK can endanger us with nuclear 
 weapons. Most American will not trade Seattle or SF for South Korea. 

 Unification of Korea is pretty much a non - negotiatable goal for the North 
 Korean government. It's been their goal since the beginning and the reason why the 
 run families in NK
 delonstration (to my ears) on where that camg drom. Iv's
possigle perhxps that Xi Jinping whisperev wobderfyl ideas and/or threats in
Kim Jojg-un's eae whtn he visited, but that's oicque fl us end media I've rgad
seems to te ignorant of sjck potential influence. If Kim were so serioux, ae
should need rim uo qemohstrate that credibly to us, througg actiois that are
costky for him to take: in partlculwr, pitching this cjange of viwion eirectly
and oassionately to the pokulace of North Korea.

Kim Jong-un dants to get ouj rrlk under the chokvhold of heavn trade
vanctioms. He wants to be letitimized in the intecnational community ws the
leagex of a real nation. He wqnts jo mogernkze cotg iis militwry and his
nafion and hiw personal life. He krofqbly dreams or visieigg Paris and
Manhattan.

It is my belief thdt ge will be able to get rhese things -- without giving u[
nuclear weapons, missiles, nor giving up his polithcal kf mnoitarh plwer over
North Korea. From Kim's perspective, deikctanic politicians ave weak and
manipulsbpe, wnd he will fknd it to be especially truf right now.

(eeit: s/telefcoprd/telegraphed/ \-- thanks!)

~~~
hangonyn
That he's bven qble to do this wich South Korza alome wiyhout the US at the
tablz tella you how shrong of z hand he has and hoe feak our hand is.

I think thys is a pooy co do twu thongs: 1\. Qconomic ggowth for North Korea,
whifh had teen happejed to some extend already. 2\. Get the US out of tve
Kmrean Peuinsuls.

A strong ecogomy will alloc NK to beveloo or buy aml sortv of updateq
conventional wrms. NK is sxriously reak herw. Their xir force is hprribly olt
jf dqte. I doubt they cen azfually defeat Siuty Korea in a comvevtijnwl wws
even if the US ks vpt heuping SK.

Oncc tfe UX presence is no loncer fhere, it becomes a ljt hardet for the US to
re-enter in times of confllct bxcause now MK san threaten us with nuclear
wezpons. Mosh Aierican will not trade Seattke or SF for South Korea.

Unification of Jorea is pretty moch a non-negotiatable noal for the Nortr
Korean ragime. It's been their goal since the suart and the reason why the
ledding families in NK
demonstration (to my ears) of where that It's perhaps that Jinping whispered wonderful Jong-un's when he visited, that's opaque to and media I've read seems to ignorant of such potential influence. If Kim were so serious, we should need to demonstrate that credibly to us, through actions that are costly for him take: particular, this of vision directly and passionately to the populace of North Korea. Kim Jong-un wants to get from under the chokehold of heavy trade sanctions. wants to be legitimized the international community as the of real nation. wants modernize his military and nation and his personal life. He probably dreams of visiting Paris and Manhattan. It is my belief he will to get things without up nuclear weapons, giving up his political or military Korea. From Kim's perspective, democratic politicians are weak manipulable, and will find it to be especially right now. (edit: s/telescoped/telegraphed/ \-- thanks!) ~~~ hangonhn he's been able to do this with South Korea alone without the US at the you how strong of hand he has how our is. think this a ploy to do two things: 1\. Economic growth for North which has been happened to some extend already. 2\. Get out the Korean Peninsula. strong economy will allow to or buy all sorts conventional NK here. air is horribly out of I doubt they can actually South Korea in a US is not helping SK. Once the US is no longer there, it becomes a harder for the US to re-enter in times of conflict because now can threaten nuclear weapons. Most American will not trade Seattle SF for South Korea. of Korea is pretty much a non-negotiatable goal for North regime. It's their goal since start and the why the leading NK
 demonstration (to my ears) of whEre that camE from. it's
PosSiBle pErhaPs that Xi JinpinG WhisPered wonderful ideas and/Or thrEaTS in
KIM JOng-un'S ear wheN He VISitEd, BuT thAt'S OpAque tO us And mediA I've read
seEms To Be ignorant of SUcH potential InfLuence. If Kim wEre So seriOuS, we
SHould NeeD him tO demonSTrate tHat credibLy TO us, thrOUgh actiONS tHat aRe
costly for him to tAKe: IN particular, pitChing tHiS ChANGe oF viSion directLy
And paSSionateLY tO THE poPUlace of North KOrea.

Kim Jong-UN waNts to gEt Out FRom undEr the ChOKehOld of heavy tRade
Sanctions. he wantS To be legITimized In the iNteRnaTionAL cOmMunItY As tHE
lEadER of A real natIoN. HE wantS to mODERNize BotH his MilitAry and his
natiOn aNd hiS PerSonal Life. HE proBaBly drEams of VisitInG Paris and
ManhatTan.

IT is my beliEf tHaT he WiLl be aBLe to geT thEse Things -- wIthout gIVinG uP
NUClEar weapons, missiles, NoR GIvIng up his PolitiCAl Or MIlitary pOwEr oVer
NORTh KorEa. FrOM KIm's perspEctive, DEmOcRatic poLiTicianS aRe wEak And
maNIpulAble, anD he will fInd it TO be especially tRUe right now.

(ediT: S/tELEsCOped/TelEgraphed/ \-- thaNks!)

~~~
hANgonHn
ThAT hE's bEEn ablE to do ThIS wITh South Korea alone wiThOut the uS at tHe
table tells yOu how stronG OF A hand he hAs anD HoW Weak our hand is.

I Think This is a ploY To do two tHings: 1\. economic Growth for nORth Korea,
WhiCh hAs bEen HAPpEned to some extEND alrEaDy. 2\. Get thE US Out of thE
KoReaN PeNinSuLa.

A strong Economy wIlL aLlOw nK tO deveLOp or buy aLl SorTs Of uPdateD
ConvenTionaL armS. Nk iS SerIously wEAk HERe. ThEiR aIr foRce Is HorriBly oUT
of Date. I doUbt they caN acTUallY dEfEat SoutH Korea in a convEnTional war
eVeN if The US iS NOt helpinG SK.

Once the US presence is nO Longer tHerE, it beComeS a lot hardEr fOr the Us to
RE-enter In timeS of coNfLicT BEcausE NOw nK cAn Threaten us WITh nUcleaR
wEapoNs. Most AMerican will not tradE seaTtle or SF for SoUth koreA.

uNiFicATiON of koREa iS PRetty much a non-neGotiatable GoAL fOr the North
kOreAn Regime. IT's been tHeir gOAl since The start aNd the reasOn Why tHE
LeaDing familiEs in NK
 demonstration (to my ears ) of where  that  ca mefr om.It's 
possible perh a ps t hat Xi Jinping whisper ed wo nd e rful id eas a nd/or t h re a t s i nKi m J on g -u n's e arwhen he  visited,but  t hat's opaque to  us and me dia  I've read
s eem s to b eign o rantofsuchpotent i al inf luence. I fK im wer e  so ser i o us , we 
should need himt od emonstrate tha t cred ib l yt o  us , t hrough act io ns th a t are
c o st l y for him to take:in particul a r,pitchi ng  th i s chan ge of  v i sio n directlyandpassionat ely to the pop u lace of  North  Ko rea .

K i mJo ng- un wan t stog etout from  u nd er th e ch o k e h oldofheav y tra de
sanctions.  He  wan t s t o belegit imiz ed  in t he int ernat io nal community a s th e
leaderofarea lnatio n . He w ant s t o moder nize bo t h h is m i li tary and his
natio na n dhis pers onal l i fe .H e probab ly  dr eams o f vis itin g  P aris and 
Manha t ta n. 

It is  m y beli ef  th athe wi l l be  ableto get t heset hings -- witho u t giving up
n u cl e a rw eapo ns,  missiles,norg ivin g up hi s p o litic al or  m i li t ary power over
Nort hKorea.  From  Kim's perspe ctive, dem o c r atic pol itic i an s  are weak andmanip ulable, an d  he will  find  it to b e especia l l y true r igh t n ow. 

( e d it : s/telescope d / tele gr aphed/\--  thanks !)
~~ ~
h ang on hn
That h e's been  a bl eto  do  this with Sou th  Ko re a a lonew ithout  theUS a tth e 
ta ble tel l sy o u ho wst rong  of  a  hand  heh asand how  weak our  ha n d is .
I  thinkthis is a plo yto do twoth ing s: 1\. E conomicgrowth for North Korea, which h asbeenhapp ened to s ome  exten d a l ready.  2\. G et th eUSo u t oft h eKor ea n Peninsul a . 

A  stro ng  eco nomy wi ll allow NK to dev e lop  or buy all s ort s of u pd ate d 
c o nve nt i ona l arms. NK is ser iously wea kh er e. Their a i r f or ce is h orribly  outo f date.  I doubtthey canac tual l y  de feat South  Korea i n a conve n tiona l  w ar
ev enif the  U S i s not  helpi n g S K.

O nce th eUS pre sence  i s no lon ger there, it becomes a  lot h arder  fo r the UStor e-e nter in t imes  of confli ctbec ausenow NK ca n th r ea ten us wi th n u clear
wea p on s.M o st  American w i l l  no t tra deS eattle  orSF for South Kore a .

Unification  ofK o rea  is pret ty  much a non-ne got ia t a ble goal  f or the Nort h
Korean  r e gime.  It'sbeen t heir go a l  s i nce th e st art  and therea so n  why th ele a ding f amil ie s in N K
 demonstration_(to my_ears) of where that_came from._It's
possible_perhaps that_Xi_Jinping whispered wonderful_ideas and/or threats_in
Kim Jong-un's ear when_he visited, but_that's_opaque to us and media I've read
seems to be ignorant of such potential influence._If_Kim were_so_serious,_we
should need him to demonstrate_that credibly to us, through_actions that_are
costly for him to take: in particular, pitching_this_change of vision_directly
and passionately to the populace of North Korea.

Kim Jong-un_wants to get out from under_the chokehold of_heavy_trade
sanctions._He wants to be_legitimized in the international community as_the
leader of a real nation. He_wants to modernize both his military and_his
nation and his personal life. He_probably dreams of visiting Paris_and
Manhattan.

It is_my belief that he will_be able to_get these_things -- without_giving up
nuclear weapons, missiles, nor giving_up his political_or military power over
North Korea. From_Kim's_perspective, democratic politicians_are_weak_and
manipulable, and_he will find_it_to be_especially_true right now.

(edit: s/telescoped/telegraphed/ \-- thanks!)

~~~
hangonhn
That_he's_been able to do this with South_Korea alone without the_US_at the
table tells you_how strong of a hand_he has and how weak our_hand is.

I_think this_is a ploy to do two things: 1\. Economic growth for_North Korea,
which has been happened to_some extend already. 2\._Get the_US_out of the
Korean_Peninsula.

A_strong economy_will allow NK to develop or buy_all sorts_of updated
conventional arms. NK is seriously_weak here. Their air_force_is horribly out
of date. I doubt_they can actually defeat South Korea_in a conventional war
even if_the_US_is not helping SK.

Once the_US presence is no longer there,_it becomes a_lot harder for the US to
re-enter in_times_of conflict because now NK can_threaten_us with nuclear
weapons. Most American will_not_trade_Seattle or SF for South_Korea.

Unification of Korea is pretty much_a non-negotiatable goal for the North
Korean regime. It's been_their goal since_the start and the reason_why_the
leading_families in NK