Feed the needy, not nuclear ambitions

"The crucial test for North Korea and the U.S. will be how the tussle over the DPRK's nuclear programme and the supply of food aid are resolved." 

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Feed the needy, not nuclear ambitions: North Korea's statement last Friday that it would launch a satellite into space as part of the celebrations next month on the 100th birth anniversary of Kim Il-Sung has again thrown a spanner into the works.

Just two weeks ago, an agreement had been reached between North Korea and the United States on the resumption of food aid in return for suspension of nuclear activities. The U.S., Britain, Japan and South Korea responded immediately, urging the North not to proceed as it would violate the United Nations ban on nuclear and missile activity.

Kim Jong-il to be embalmed

"Kim Jong-il's body would be embalmed and laid in state next to his father — North Korea's founder, Kim Il-sung — in Pyongyang, the capital."

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Kim Jong-il to be embalmed

In addition, the regime is reportedly in the process of erecting “smiling portraits” of Kim and “towers to his immortality” across the country. The party's central committee has named his birthday on February 16 the Day of the Shining Star.

Kim Jong-il's funeral was epic film-making

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Kim Jong-il's funeral was epic film-making:

"We shouldn't be surprised by the cinematic touches to the Dear Leader's funeral — he did write a book on the art of directing."

The West's misconceptions about North Korea

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : The West's misconceptions about North Korea:

"A reasonably stable transition can be expected in North Korea, says Bruce Cumings of the University of Chicago"

'Instability in N Korea will send shock waves throughout the region'

Q&A 

with Stephen Bosworth, former envoy for North Korean policy and currently dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University

Interview - Q&A

-The Times of India, December 21, 2011

Korea, the mourning after

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article2729550.ece

The leader is dead, long live the leader

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2729532.ece

The sunset of North Korea's ‘risen son'

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2729531.ece