North Korea expresses regret at civilian deaths (sorry but not that sorry)

Earth Times ^ | 11/27/10

[AmericanInTokyo]

One would be led to believe Yang stayed behind to do telephone diplomacy with the Russians and the Japanese today, and sent those two other guys instead. Of course, such telephone diplomacy could be done in South Korea, but maybe they were concerned about comsec. Just a guess. They are probably trying to resurrect these pointless and foolish "Six Party Talks" again, under their tutelage. It's all designed to jack around the Free West either way.

Some commentators think the DPRK statement of *regret* today over Yeongpyongdo was in response to pressure from Beijing, but I think it is just Pyongyang using carrots and sticks. They will use a stick one day (rocket attacks), a carrot the next (lukewarm remorse), and then a stick again (launch Scud missiles into the sea of Japan), and then a carrot (propose North/South family reunification meetings). All the short period of a week. Then sit back and watch the stupid Western countries run around in circles confused, and say to them from Pyongyang "well, guys, what do you like better, when we give carrots, or when we give sticks? Well, we will ease up on the sticks if you give >>>> and >>>>> and >>>>> to us." They are most skilled at this game, and I am sure Junior is being trained in it, too.

PS this may sound a bit sexist, inappropriate and off topic, but the new weather "girl" with the attractive hair-do and the little retractable weather map pointer on Korean Central Television evening news, is a real looker. Kinda cute in that two piece brown suit (minus the Kim Jongil badge). That is the only non-offensive part of their whole evening line up in fact).

[gogogodzilla]

Here’s my take:

China’s Foreign Ministry is considered to be second-rate in the Chinese party system. The head of their Foreign Ministry doesn’t even rate a seat at the Chinese Communist party’s Politburo.

So if China cancelled his visit and replaced it with a top official, then they are probably taking it *VERY* seriously. Considering that he’s a member of their Central Committee (of which their Politburo is part of), they’re definitely taking it seriously.