Diplomatic Memo - U.S. Weighs Possibility of North Korea Engagement - NYTimes.com

Diplomatic Memo - U.S. Weighs Possibility of North Korea Engagement - NYTimes.com

To my mind positive change will only come to the DPRK when the more forward looking and less conservative element in the Chinese leadership prevails over the cautious "do nothing" thinking that dominates the current Chinese Korea policy. It seems that the U.S. finally realizes that the unproductive and ineffective 6-Party Talks are a charade by the PRC to ensure U.S. compliance in maintenance of the dismal and deteriorating status quo. But it is possible that once the Chinese have met Kim Jong-un and assess that he is incapable of effective and stable rule, they will realize that with Kim Jong-il so ill with pancreatic cancer, that it would be strongly in China's interest to engage progressive elements in the DPRK military to encourage regime change.  Reconstruction of North Korea can only come by opening up the DPRK to massive Chinese investment through a new "friendship agreement."  Reunification with the ROK is still a long way off.