Kim Jong Un`s uneasiness

After four-day visit to North Korea at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, Lee Hui-ho, wife of the late President Kim Dae-jung, returned to South Korea without meeting Kim Jong Un in person. Other than a greeting “We welcome Ms. Lee Hui-ho’s visit to Pyongyang” that was delivered by a third person, there was neither a personal meeting nor a hand-written letter delivered to Lee. A slim hope that her visit would be a turning point for the logjam of two Koreas’ relations has been shattered. It is not right that 31-year-old Kim Jong Un didn’t meet in person 93-year-old Lee Hui-ho who had come all the way to Pyongyang during heat wave.

The highest-ranking official whom Ms. Lee met during the visit was Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee Vice Chair Maeng Kyong Il. Although Maeng holds the title under the Korea Asia-Peace Committee, he is in fact vice director of the United Front Department of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, which is equivalent to vice minister of South Korea. Director Kim Yang Gon of the United Front Department who is in charge of North Korean policy against the South didn’t show up to meet Ms. Lee. As wife of the late President Kim Dae-jung who made the June 15 Joint Declaration with Kim Jong Il in 2000, Ms. Lee was not given due respect by Pyongyang. A day before her return to the South, Lee expressed her disappointment by delivering the message, “Give him my message that it is regretful not to meet him in person” to Kim Jong Un. South Korea’s Ministry of Unification said, “Pyongyang was not very active for Lee’s visit from the beginning.”

It is possible Kim Jong Un decided that he didn’t have to show his good faith as the Park Geun-hye administration has defined Lee’s visit as a personal one. He may also have determined that Ms. Lee has nothing to give him in discussing for better relations between the two Koreas. Some analyze that Kim Jong Un was aiming for internal conflict in South Korea. In fact, the opposition party is blaming the Korean government for not making the best use of Lee’s visit to Pyongyang.

It seems that Kim Jong Un is active in such events as military drills but passive in diplomatic occasions. The fact that he rarely goes abroad and meets with foreign delegations shows that he is closed and lacks confidence.

Five days before the 70th anniversary of Korea’s independence, Kim confirmed that he has no interest in bettering the relations with Seoul. In the meantime, Pyongyang is keen on gigantic preparation for the 70th anniversary of its ruling Workers` Party foundation (Oct. 10). Some predict that Pyongyang would try to show off the power by conducting nuclear tests or long-range missile launch. Those provocative acts would further deteriorate the already-negative image of North Korea in the international community.

It may sound empty to discuss unification of the two Koreas when it can’t be expected to better the relationship that has gone sour. It is advised to find ways to change Pyongyang’s attitude while managing the current situation not to lead to another crisis and enhancing the cooperation with the U.S. and China.