The overwrought and exuberant: being realistic about inter-Korean talks



Opinion The overwrought and exuberant: being realistic about inter-Korean talks Seoul is not about to embrace Kim Jong Un, but it must be clearer about what it hopes to achieve Stephan Haggard January 30, 2018 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Ministry of Unification I have been surprised by the negativity of the North Korea watcher community toward Moon Jae In’s Nordpolitik. He is “naïve,” “walking into traps,” and generally being outplayed by Kim Jong Un’s propaganda skills. These assessments are related to a perception that expectations in Seoul about the benefits of North-South contact are being exaggerated, even wildly so. I have been surprised by the negativity of the North Korea watcher community toward Moon Jae In’s Nordpolitik. He is “naïve,” “walking into traps,” and generally being outplayed by Kim Jong Un’s propaganda skills. These assessments are related to a perception that expectations in Seoul about the benefits of North-South contact are being exaggerated, even wildly so. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Opinion

The overwrought and exuberant: being realistic about inter-Korean talks

Seoul is not about to embrace Kim Jong Un, but it must be clearer about what it hopes to achieve

Stephan Haggard January 30, 2018

The overwrought and exuberant: being realistic about inter-Korean talks

Ministry of Unification

I have been surprised by the negativity of the North Korea watcher community toward Moon Jae In’s Nordpolitik. He is “naïve,” “walking into traps,” and generally being outplayed by Kim Jong Un’s propaganda skills.

These assessments are related to a perception that expectations in Seoul about the benefits of North-South contact are being exaggerated, even wildly so.

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Stephan Haggard

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