(first published in Oriental Morning Post, Sep.27,07)

This writer was invited to attend the fourth international peace forum, based on the theme of “European experience, north-east Asian peace and flourishing hope”, and the North Korean nuclear issue was naturally a constant issue. The meeting was attended by South Korean president Roh Moo-Hyun, as well as current Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Song Min-Soon, chief nuclear envoy Chun Yung-woo and other notable South Korean political and academic figures. They were joined by political leaders from America, Russia, Japan, China, and other countries, as well as academics and ambassadors based in South Korea.

In a banquet, the American ambassador to South Korea, Alexander Vershbow, divulged to me the hopes of the Bush administration towards the North Korea nuclear issue – it is perhaps more difficult even than the current issues in Iraq and Iran. The three main issues that it hopes can be achieved are for North Korea to close down its nuclear establishments, open its nuclear capabilities to inspection by the international community, and establish diplomatic relations with the United States. When asked about domestic opposition to establishing political relations, and the timeframe for such negotiations, he replied that the Bush administration still has eighteen months, and that it is enough! Nevertheless, the Republican Party government has made a trade-off: at present there is not too much domestic opposition to establishing relations. However, if the Democratic Party assumes the reins of government there could be increased opposition, since they have a weak record of international diplomacy. He hinted that there is confidence on the American side that North Korea will “hop on the last bus” offered by the Bush administration.