hankyoreh

When North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appeared at the April 25 Hall of Culture to greet President Roh Moo-hyun on October 2, Kim was expressionless and even looked ill. However, Kim’s expression had brightened considerably the next day, when he was frequently seen smiling broadly. As with the first summit with former President Kim Dae-jung in 2000, he had an easy attitude and revealed a sense of humour from time to time. He was full of vitality. In contrast, his South Korean counterpart appeared somewhat tense.

Kim’s facial color had brightened and he was all smiles as the summit talks proceeded. Arriving at Paekhwawon State Guest House, the venue of the summit talks, at 9:27 a.m. yesterday, Kim smiled as he joyfully greeted Roh. He asked Roh, “Did you sleep well last night?” Kim was energetic as the two leaders shook hands, and smiled while shaking hands with the delegation from the South. As he stepped out of the conference room after finishing the first round of talks in the morning, he appeared to be satisfied. Before resuming the talks in the afternoon, Kim joked and laughed with Roh.

Kim’s blunt attitude from the previous day was nowhere to be seen. While looking at a wall painting in the guest house, he conversed with Roh in a friendly manner.

Chairman Kim’s witty humor was also quite notable. During the first round of summit talks, Roh expressed his appreciation to Kim for coming out to meet him the previous day. In response, Kim said, “As I am not a patient, I don’t have to stay at home,” making everyone present burst into laughter.

Kim’s subdued manner on the opening day of the summit had caused people to speculate, but he looked entirely different yesterday, brushing off any negative impressions he may have left. South Korean broadcasters and newspapers focused on Kim’s lack of expression in reporting the meeting between the two leaders. In particular, reports from the nation’s conservative media, which generally do not look favorably on the summit, made it seem as though something was wrong with Kim’s health.

Kim, however, seemed to act as though he had predicted such reports. Kim reportedly did this during the 2000 summit as well, and appears to now be carefully checking news reports from the South Korean media. When he said, “I am not a patient,” he seems to have intended to dispel any rumors regarding his poor health.

During the first summit, he remarked, “Europeans say that I am living in seclusion but I am now free from seclusion thanks to President Kim’s visit to Pyongyang,” referring to former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. Chairman Kim was apparently aware that foreign countries had made remarks of that nature.

Close watch should be kept on whether prospects for the summit will become as bright as the expression Kim was wearing yesterday.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]