Some Setbacks for ‘Agreed Framework II’

Then again, it seems unfair to blame Chung when his stupidity, however unintentionally, creates opportunities for the Bush Administration to move in a more decisive direction.

The Washington Times thinks that the comments of Vershbow and Lefkowitz are a calculated series of comments that signal a tougher U.S. line. I’m not so sure of that, given the provocation of Chung’s comments, and those of North Korea, before Vershbow spoke up. Either way, Chung’s two cents didn’t buy much love. The result is that South Korea grows less relevant to the events on its northern boundary.

SEOUL — Washington signaled a tougher line with North Korea as U.S. officials here savaged the communist state over its purported human rights abuses and illicit activities. The hawkish rhetoric has ignited fears in South Korea, which seeks stable relations with the North, that hard-liners may be taking control of U.S. policy toward Pyongyang.

At a conference on Pyongyang’s human rights issues sponsored by Freedom House and South Korean nongovernmental groups in Seoul yesterday, the U.S. special envoy on North Korean human rights, Jay Lefkowitz, called the isolated nation “a hidden world of hopelessness and terror.” “Once light begins to shine on authoritarian regimes, the march of democracy cannot be far behind,” he added.

The conference was co-sponsored by the U.S. government, which in April granted Freedom House $1.97 million to create forums on North Korean human rights. Some 20 South Korean civic groups protested the event, saying it could jeopardize Seoul’s already shaky relations with Pyongyang.

Mr. Lefkowitz’s comments followed unequivocal statements by the U.S. ambassador to Seoul, Alexander Vershbow, who was appointed in October.

Mr. Vershbow on Wednesday called North Korea a “criminal regime” and compared its currency counterfeiting operations to attempts made by Adolf Hitler to derail Britain’s wartime economy with fake notes. Mr. Vershbow also blamed Pyongyang for setting “artificial barriers” in nuclear arms talks.

Whether this is a bluff or signals a shift in policy is unclear. One thing is for certain: someone decided to take off Jay Lefkowitz’s muzzle, something for which we should be thankful. Our government is finally engaged in the war of ideas.