Kim Jong Il and Roh Moo-hyun signed a joint statement Thursday that pledges to begin work on a permanent peace agreement that would replace the cease-fire accord signed at the end of the Korean war. Technically North and South Korea have remained at war for the last 54 years.
Maybe I am just a cynic but why the heck is Kim Jong Il signing this now. Have I been missing something in the news lately that maybe the brutal dictator has been growing sweet flowers or something? This guy kills his own people without accord, starves then to death, beats them and brooks no resistance. Any now he wants to play nice? What's up with that? I don't watch TV so perhaps I have missed something lately that plays into this.
North Korea has agreed to disable it's main nuclear reactor and provide a complete declaration of all nuclear activities by the end of the year under the accord.
According to CNN Military Ministers are going to be meeting in Pyongyang on Friday to further discuss the accord and how to implement it.
Hopefully this is a further sign that things are looking up for the region and not just some game that Kim Jonh Il is playing with South Korea. It sounds to me like perhaps China finally put enough pressure on North Korea to actually get something done.
The eight points of the accord that was signed include,
- South and North Korea are to actively implement the June 15 Joint Declaration
- South and North Korea are to work for mutual respect and trust in order to overcome differences in ideology, system.
- South and North Korea are to ease military tensions, resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiations. The two sides are to set up a joint fishing area in the West Sea to avoid accidental armed conflict. The two sides are to hold defense ministerial talks in November in Pyongyang to discuss ways of supporting inter-Korean economic cooperation and easing tension.
- South and North Korea agree on need to end the current armistice and establish permanent peace. The two sides are to push for a declaration of the ending of the Korean War in cooperation with neighboring nations. South and North Korea are to make joint efforts for the smooth implementation of the September 19 and February 13 six-nation nuclear agreements.
- South and North Korea are to expand economic cooperation for balanced development and co-prosperity. The two sides are to create a special peace zone around Haeju in North Korea and nearby areas, as well as work towards a joint fishing area, peace waters, special economic zone, and joint development of the estuary of the Han River.
- South and North Korea are to develop cooperation in the history, language, education, technology, culture, sports, and social sectors. The two sides are to open a direct air route between Seoul and Mount Paekdu to allow South Koreans to visit the mountain in North Korea.
- South and North Korea are to actively push for humanitarian cooperation and expansion of the reunions of separated families.
- South and North Korea are to strengthen cooperation for national interest in the international stage and the benefits of Korean residents abroad.
Next week a U.S. team which will include technical experts is going to head to North Korea to begin disabling it's nuclear weapons facilities according to Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill.
Is this just more empty promises for North Korea to break or is it some kind of diabolical plan for the North Korean leader to unite the two countries under his rule? Don't rule it out. I may be paranoid but this guy could be Adolf Hitler's blood brother.
Trackposted to Perri Nelson's Website, Rosemary's Thoughts, third world county, DeMediacratic Nation, Woman Honor Thyself, Big Dog's Weblog, The Populist, Inside the Northwest Territory, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, Stuck On Stupid, The Bullwinkle Blog, Republican National Convention Blog, Adeline and Hazel, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
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