Why North Korea wants to hold direct talk with US?

[longriver]

North Korea government expressed recently that it must hold talk with the US only before it returns the Six-Party Talks. And the spokesman added that that is a principle and proper.

What' do you think is the reason that N. Korea wants a direct talk with the US rather than just returns to the six-party negotiation?

Source:[Opinion] Why North Korea wants to hold direct talk with US? - Global Times Forum--Discuss China,Discuss the world--The Most Open and Objective Forum in China

If it is not allowed to put links here, the moderator can delete it

[equate]

I suppose this is because it is the decision of the US that matters.

The US in turn wants S Korea, Japan, Russia and China to be there at the six-party talks to make sure these immediate neighbors are happy and not kept in the dark.

[longriver]

But don't you think China can also play an important role in N.Korea's nuclear issue?

[Uplifter]

China is not the country that includes North Korea in the "Axis of Evil".
It is in North Koreas interests to talk to the U.S. so that this 'label' is removed. They already have a good relationship with China.

[Lucas]

Ummm...no, Uplifter, they don't. Sometimes I feel like you just take whatever stance can be seen as most anti-American and take it. I mean you really think they want to talk solely with the US because of what you said? Why didn't Iraq or Iran want to do that? Come on dude, think.

North Korea wants to discuss things only with the US, because the US has very little pressing interests with regards to the DPRK other than that it relates, if not positively, at least not negatively towards the ROK and Japan (and to a much lesser extent Taiwan). Obviously, those two (or three, I guess, but Taiwan is really, really tertiary in this arrangement) will better express their regrets with any deals that are made better than the US can, and their feelings of exposure will be much more genuine and heartfelt than the US could even imagine. There could be something compromised upon, for example, that would be very understandable for Americans that would be unacceptable for the South Koreans of Japanese. Not only would this give an apparent tactical advantage for the North Koreans over whatever party that was, but it would also drive a wedge in between that party and the Americans.

The North Koreans constantly want to talk solely to the Americans for strategic purposes- it's certainly not dumb at all. By the same token, it's not at all something that the evil, imperialistic Americans shoot down for the betterment of the ruling class or something. Like everything else in international relations, it makes perfect sense for the DPRK to push for it and it makes perfect sense for the US to refuse it. You'd think people like Uplifter, ostensibly big fans of multilateralism over American unilateralism, would understand and appreciate the US understanding that it's biggest foothold in East Asia is Japan and South Korea collectively, and understand them wanting to be part of those talks to keep them happy.

It seems though, that somehow he doesn't get that, and is only interested in trying to find points in the US foreign policy to critique. If he works for a government that has a vested interest in doing so- and there are many- than well, played, but I'm still going to correct you. If you don't, though, you should at least try to learn the facts before you blame the problem on the big bad wolf.

[Uplifter]

Originally Posted by Lucas

Ummm...no, Uplifter, they don't. Sometimes I feel like you just take whatever stance can be seen as most anti-American and take it. I mean you really think they want to talk solely with the US because of what you said? Why didn't Iraq or Iran want to do that? Come on dude, think.

I'm sorry if I come across that way. It is not my intention to be anti-american. I just try to point out the hypocrisy of our ruling leaders.

It seems though, that somehow he doesn't get that, and is only interested in trying to find points in the US foreign policy to critique. If he works for a government that has a vested interest in doing so- and there are many- than well, played, but I'm still going to correct you. If you don't, though, you should at least try to learn the facts before you blame the problem on the big bad wolf.

Drop the beef Lucas.

[Uplifter]

BARACK OBAMA ended his first trip to Asia as US president in Seoul yesterday, saying an American envoy would visit North Korea early next month to try and kick-start stalled negotiations about quelling the North’s nuclear ambitions.

He joined South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak in urging the communist state back to nuclear talks, seen as central to ensuring stability in the region.

Tensions have been raised in the north Asian region by a series of nuclear weapon tests and missile launches by North Korea, but in recent months there have been positive signs, including the release of two US journalists convicted of spying after they wandered across the Chinese border into North Korean territory.

Mr Obama will send special envoy Stephen Bosworth to Pyongyang. He will try and convince North Korea to rejoin six-party nuclear disarmament talks which it quit in April, a month before it staged a second atomic weapons test. The delegations include China, the US, Russia, both Koreas and Japan.

“We will be sending ambassador Bosworth to North Korea on December 8th to engage in direct talks with the North Koreans,” Mr Obama said.

Mr Obama was in the Blue House in Seoul meeting his Korean counterpart after a relatively challenging inaugural trip to China. The jury is still out on whether his maiden voyage to Beijing was a success.

In broader terms, Mr Obama’s trip was aimed at breathing new life into US-Asian diplomacy, which had suffered from a kind of inertia in the latter part of the administration of George W Bush.

Mr Obama has been criticised for not being forthright enough with the Chinese, although he appears to have done much to assuage niggling doubts in Japan and South Korea that Washington is keen to nurture close ties with countries other than China, the world’s emerging superpower.

On the one hand, it appeared that Washington was more accommodating than usual to Beijing’s demands on trade issues, but Mr Obama also managed to deliver some key political messages despite the fact that the US is keen not to anger cash-rich China at a time of global financial turmoil.

South Korea is a great ally of the United States, and there are 28,500 US troops stationed there, mostly around the demilitarised zone that divides the Korean peninsula since the Korean War (1950-53), which ended without a peace agreements.

Mr Lee said Mr Obama had backed his “grand bargain” for North Korea – a package of economic assistance and investment in exchange for full nuclear disarmament in a single step rather than the piecemeal approaches that have twice failed over the past two decades.

“I think President Lee is exactly right and my administration is taking the same approach,” Mr Obama said.

Pyongyang maintained a combative tone and accused the allies of stoking tensions.

The North has made “sincere” efforts to defuse tensions on the peninsula and improve cross-border relations, Rodong Sinmun, the North’s ruling communist party newspaper, said in a commentary.

There were tensions about a free trade pact which is awaiting ratification by Congress, although Mr Lee appeared willing to make concessions on the deal to help American’s troubled car makers.

Mr Obama also had a tough message for the Iranians, saying the US and its allies were discussing possible new sanctions to put fresh pressure on Tehran for defying international attempts to halt its contested nuclear programme.

US to send envoy to N Korea to get talks restarted - The Irish Times - Fri, Nov 20, 2009

[Uplifter]

(CNN) -- North Korea pressed for direct talks with the United States on Monday, saying the two need to settle their differences before meaningful multilateral nuclear discussions could proceed, state media reported.

If Washington is not ready for a dialogue, North Korea will "go our own way," North Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement to the official KCNA news agency. It did not elaborate on the comment.

"The past six year-long course of the six-party talks proved that no matter how frequently the six parties meet, it is nothing but an armchair argument unless the hostile relations between the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) and the U.S. are settled and confidence is built between them," the foreign ministry said.

North Korea pulled out of talks in April to protest the United Nations' condemnation over its nuclear test and missile launches. The communist nation has accused Washington of violating its sovereignty by singling it out and reporting it to the United Nations Security Council.
Diplomats from the United States and North Korea have huddled in recent weeks.

North Korea Ambassador Ri Gun and Sung Kim, the director of the U.S. State Department's Office of Korean Affairs, met late last month. Ri was invited to New York by U.S. private organizations, the State Department said.

Ri took part in a seminar hosted by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and the Korea Society.

"During his visit, Ambassador Sung Kim took the opportunity to meet with him in New York on October 24 to convey our position on denuclearization and the six-party talks," said Noel Clay, a State Department spokesman.

North Korea's call for direct talks comes amid signs that it might rejoin nuclear talks.

Following a visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to North Korea last month, Pyongyang indicated a willingness to participate in bilateral talks with the United States and to return to six-party talks over its nuclear program.

The communist country expressed similar openness to talks last month after leader Kim Jong-il met with Chinese special envoy Dai Bingguo.The six-party negotiations include the United States, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia.

North Korea calls for direct talks with U.S. - CNN.com

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by Uplifter

I'm sorry if I come across that way. It is not my intention to be anti-american. I just try to point out the hypocrisy of our ruling leaders.

Why, though? That's ruling leaders are in the 20th century, because they need to appeal to an uneducated, idealistic populace. That's like pointing out that Obama has five fingers on each hand- who cares? We know that.

Drop the beef Lucas.

Oh maybe my observation that you always favor the 'little guy' over the US is mistaken. You tell me.

Regardless, your last article was a good example of switching the goalposts. The DPRK likes to act as if the beef is between them and the US. It's not. But, if they do that, not only do they gain the sympathy of those with a strong ethnic pride on the Peninsula, but they also get the sympathy of people like you, who are decrying 'imperialism' at all turns and automatically feeling empathy for the underdog. It's a very good move for North Korea, yes, and they're smart to make it. But it still is what it is- a play at your emotions, hoping you ignore your logic. It's not about the US vs. North Korea and it never has been. If it were, the US would be calling the shots in the ROK, but it's not.

[Uplifter]

Originally Posted by Lucas

Why, though? That's ruling leaders are in the 20th century, because they need to appeal to an uneducated, idealistic populace. That's like pointing out that Obama has five fingers on each hand- who cares? We know that.

Because many people on this board just repeat the lies and inaccuracies that are reported. I'm glad you think you know that, but many on this board do not.

Originally Posted by Lucas

Oh maybe my observation that you always favor the 'little guy' over the US is mistaken. You tell me.

Ok. You are mistaken.

Originally Posted by Lucas

Regardless, your last article was a good example of switching the goalposts. The DPRK likes to act as if the beef is between them and the US.

With all due respect Lucas, how in the hell do you know what the DPRK likes?

Originally Posted by Lucas

It's not. But, if they do that, not only do they gain the sympathy of those with a strong ethnic pride on the Peninsula, but they also get the sympathy of people like you, who are decrying 'imperialism' at all turns and automatically feeling empathy for the underdog. It's a very good move for North Korea, yes, and they're smart to make it. But it still is what it is- a play at your emotions, hoping you ignore your logic. It's not about the US vs. North Korea and it never has been. If it were, the US would be calling the shots in the ROK, but it's not.

Why do you think the U.S. is included in the six-party talks?

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by Uplifter

I'm sorry if I come across that way. It is not my intention to be anti-american. I just try to point out the hypocrisy of our ruling leaders.



Drop the beef Lucas.

Originally Posted by Uplifter

Because many people on this board just repeat the lies and inaccuracies that are reported. I'm glad you think you know that, but many on this board do not.

Don't others like to repeat the lies and inaccuracies that are reported on the other side? Why not just be factual and even-handed? As opposed to making threads when the US does it, but not when...well, the DPRK does it?

Ok. You are mistaken.

Alright, here's to hoping you add some teeth to that statement in the future.

With all due respect Lucas, how in the hell do you know what the DPRK likes?

Because they've been doing it since the partition? Because that's what makes strategic sense and they're not a dumb people? Because I worked in intelligence analysis on the peninsula for nearly two years?

Why do you think the U.S. is included in the six-party talks?

Because it would be toothless without them. South Korea and Japan are going to talk with the US anyway regarding serious decisions, no reason to create a middleman there.