Kerry gets dream run in North Korean media

Sunday Times ^ | today | Sunday Times

[soycd]

SEOUL - North Korea's state-controlled media is known for its reverential reporting on Mr Kim Jong-il.

But the Dear Leader is not the only one getting deferential treatment: Mr John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic candidate in the United States, is also getting good play in Pyongyang. Advertisement

His speeches are being broadcast on Radio Pyongyang and reported in glowing terms by the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA).

The apparent enthusiasm for Mr Kerry may reflect little more than a 'better the devil you don't know' mentality among the North Korean apparatchiks.

Rather than dealing with President George W. Bush and his hawkish officials, they seem to hope victory for Mr Kerry would lead to a softening in US policy towards their nuclear weapons programme.

But both Mr Kerry and Mr Bush are committed to North Korean disarmament.

Mr Kerry, however, would renew bilateral negotiations.

Mr Bush has sought to manage the conversation with North Korea through multilateral talks.

Mr Kerry has also been more forthright about setting out the economic rewards for North Korea if it disarms.

The Bush administration appears in no hurry to tackle the North Korea issue before the election, aware that a US compromise with Pyongyang would represent an embarrassing climbdown, while confrontation would risk a bloody - and electorally disastrous - war.

The North Korean media is a constituency Mr Kerry could do without.

[soycd]

Let's get this on cbs, nbc, abc, pbs etc

[writer33]

"Let's get this on cbs, nbc, abc, pbs etc"

I don't see it happening. If they won't publish anything regarding his alleged affair, they won't publish this. This is too denagrating to him and the Democratic party. What would be better is if North Vietnam gave Kerry an endorsement. That would be the best right now. This is damaging in its own way though.

[concerned about politics]

Rather than dealing with President George W. Bush and his hawkish officials, they seem to hope victory for Mr Kerry would lead to a softening in US policy towards their nuclear weapons programme.

Muslims in the U.S. are also voting Kerry. My guess is Communist Red China is slipping in a few dollars on his behalf, too.

Hate the U.S.A.? Vote John Kerry.

[ambrose]

Their pals in Vietnam have told them that Kerry is a man they can trust.


Sickening.

[MegaSilver]

Let's get this on cbs, nbc, abc, pbs etc

I'm calling my best friend--a video editing/filming junkie--right now. I'll write up a script, have him film it, and send it to anyone who might air it.

[Ben Hecks]

Slight typo in the title - they left out the word "wet".

[cabbieguy]

"better the devil you don't know"

I think they know perfectly well that they can trust a Kerry presidency to be communism's best hope.

[Ethyl]

Bumber sticker idea............

Who would Osama vote for? George W. Bush or John Kerry???

[smoothsailing]