It Makes a Difference to the Sheep

THE KOREA HERALD ARGUES THAT KEDO SHOULD BE KEPT ALIVE (FOR NOW)

North Korea's proven dishonesty about its nuclear activities aside, this is one important reason why the international consortium needs to make a serious review of the stalled project and reconsider its decision on the eventual nullification of the accord. KEDO said that it would make its final announcement on the project's fate by Nov. 21. This can either be a highly strategic timetable or another unwise step to escalate animosities.

Despite the notorious unreliability of North Koreans as dialogue partners, our view is that this is not the right time for the consortium to withdraw its commitment. Thanks to China's efforts, North Korea has agreed to attend the second round of the six-party conference. The reactor project may be discussed at the talks, deciding whether it should continue or whether an alternative means of energy supply should be sought.

The consortium would do well to allow South Korea a stronger voice in the project. It is not only the largest donor that has accounted for the biggest portion of the $1.4 billion expended so far. Seoul is also faced with the immediate need to continue the construction of an industrial park north of the border, which is scheduled to begin operations as early as next year.

There have been some murmurings around town that whatever one thinks of the benefits or utility of KEDO, the timing of the decision to suspend KEDO cast some serious doubt on the sincerity of the Bush Administration's stated desire for resolving the North Korean issue through negotiation. North Korea's threat of "appropriate countermeasures" (whatever that means) if KEDO is suspended is perhaps proof that the DPRK regards keeping the process limping along as important.

UPDATE: The Marmot has a post on another Korean newspaper's reaction to the news(see the comments section for more).