WikiLeaks memo complicates picture of North Korea

Fascinating information.

Thank you, WikiLeaks.

Uh. What is so complicated? This article is for people sitting in armchairs in Iowa.

China wants to push NK to reunification. SK wants to pressure NK. The former is a revelation. The latter isn't. Because the policies are hinging on interests and not trickery, Wikileaks will not change them.

The only unwelcome development is Russia. Once finding out what Washington and NK want, leave it to Russia to support NK. "Let's do six party talks." Thanks Russia. Thanks for nothing. As far as I know, that is the only recent "complication" and it is not mentioned in the article.

China is on record as saying that the DPRK will cease to have effective governance within three years. If sanctions continue and if SK gets a little more support, it won't even take that long. If Kim's kid has some early failures, which he will with sanctions and a lukewarm China, then real change will be in the offing.

How desperate will NK get if there is no bailout from outside sources? -really that is the question people need to ask themselves. How much desperation are people willing to deal with? (sort of like Tokyo Park bum picture question)

The WikiLeaks info however true is bizarre when you look at it only from one angle. If all this info was leaked from one source you are viewing it from his view on the subject -so who does his view benefit the most. With all the dates covered over many topics it seems like a Gov generated document since it is highly unlikely that one or even a few would have access to the whole work.

Way to go internet age-wikileaks. More fascinating information leaks and video leaks.

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that WikiLeaks acted illegally in posting the leaked documents online. Officials worldwide say the disclosures jeopardize national security, diplomats, intelligence assets and relationships between foreign governments."

100% baloney. Let's force our leaders to stop playing linguistic hide-and-seek. Say what you mean and then be accountable for it. Finally there is a great equalizer when it comes to information. Now we, the populace, can finally have soom idea about what's going on. To the founder of WikiLeaks, the amount in my checkbook is meager but available should you ever face trial.

That want talks for more oil? Is that like, "We need oil so let's start the talks and make some concessions about our nuclear program" or is it more like, "We need oil so let's start some talks so we can make promises we won't keep while we continue to increase our nuclear capabilities"? To say it's only been the latter.

If they need oil, let them get it from China. Make it more of a burden on them so they have more reason to act and also more leverage over NK.

samwaters: To the founder of WikiLeaks, the amount in my checkbook is meager but available should you ever face trial.

The rape trial? hehehe...just kidding. He's above the law and keeps too much information private to ever be held accountable for his actions.

While speaking that absolute truth and candor is desirable, there will always be differences of opinion where diplomatic niceties are necessary. The contents and opinions expressed in the US documents are no different from those that would be found in documents from any other nation, should they be exposed. Absolute truth can be damaging in relationship. To put it into perspective, just as as you would not say everything that you really feel and think about your coworkers, spouses, or family members to their faces, especially when you are in disagreement or under stress, nations must maintain a level of appearances. Let the person without sin cast the first stone.

And here I was stupid enough to believe that nobody could stop North Korea except China..... How blind was I!

"The rape trial? hehehe...just kidding."

Yes, I should have clarified that!

"To put it into perspective, just as as you would not say everything that you really feel and think about your coworkers, spouses, or family members to their faces, especially when you are in disagreement or under stress, nations must maintain a level of appearances."

True, to a point. But there is a lot of grey in between the white niceties of agreements and the black of disagreement. Certainly an intelligent (and moral) person should be able to finess a disagreement by saying something along the lines of "I need time to consider your proposals" instead of saying one thing in public and then doing a 180 degree turn in private. The latter does far more damage to all relationships. Plus, a quick look at recent history in the US will show how much damage lying in private can do when government officials are given to much secrecy. "Security" is often code for "privilege to lie without recourse."

True, But have you ever listened to people talk in an izakaya? What people share in a small group of friends show that truth and objectivity are not necessarily most important. The objective is build relationships and influence people.

He's above the law and keeps too much information private to ever be held accountable for his actions.

As is the USA.

AuntyAmerican: As is the USA.

I'm sorry Aunty, but I don't think that even a man like Assange will be able to do enough to quell your frustration about America. My guess is that you're just going to have to deal with being angry for the rest of your life.

He can and he does, oddly enough. As did Katherine Gun.

Resistance really is the best way to combat American imperialism and both Assange and Gun have managed to expose the USA for what it really is about.

Personally I feel very satisfied and look forward to further disclosures.

Maybe your satisfaction can bring back Saddam....or maybe it can't. :)

If China really has little influence in NK then Tokyo and SK are pretty much in the gunsites of a paranoid dictator who seems to be willing to stop at nothing to get his way.

Perhaps China ought to gain some influence by invading NK and stabilizing the place while everybody picks up the pieces. Bet they don't have the brass to do it though.