In less than a year, the image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has gone from one of an erratic bon vivant and playboy to that of a wily statesman. But as North Korea braces for yet another winter of starvation and North-South reconciliation grinds to a halt, it may be time to reappraise the "Dear Leader."
Kim's skillful use of the recent European Union mission to Pyongyang offers the latest piece in a growing body of evidence to suggest that Kim is a tactical genius and a strategic fool, qualities that may be a major obstacle to progress in both South Korean and U.S. relations with North Korea.
All three elements of Kim's tactics were revealed in the discussions, as was Kim's pleasure at placing himself on the world stage. He pledged to continue his moratorium on missile testing until 2003 (the year when the two light-water reactors under the Agreed Framework are supposed to be completed). He also told the EU envoys that Pyongyang would continue exporting missiles and missile technology, principally, because he "needs the money." Finally, he gave the delegation a private letter for South Korean President Kim Dae Jung reassuring him that the North-South reconciliation process is not dead.