Sunday May 27, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

N Korea leader's death fuels 'condolences' debate among allies

Politics Dec. 22, 2011 - 11:29AM JST ( 35 )

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People cry for late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il

North Korean People's Army officers cry as they visit the Kumsusan Memorial Palace

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35 Comments

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CVHuanDec. 22, 2011 - 07:03AM JST

My parents told me that those North Koreans have to cry or else...
-3

FarmboyDec. 22, 2011 - 07:08AM JST

I think it’s justified” not to offer condolences over Kim Jong-Il, Snyder said.

I disagree. You offer condolences to people who will miss him. Offering condolences is what civilized people and countries do.

If your Uncle Godfrey dies, and you never liked your uncle, you still offer condolences to your aunt. It's polite. She might actually miss the old geezer.
0

GurukunDec. 22, 2011 - 07:28AM JST

If any country has to offer condolences, how about firing a few missles over NK to show respect.
3

CVHuanDec. 22, 2011 - 07:29AM JST

I disagree. You offer condolences to people who will miss him. Offering condolences is what civilized people and countries do. If your Uncle Godfrey dies, and you never liked your uncle, you still offer condolences to your aunt. It's polite. She might actually miss the old geezer.

@Farmboy. For some people, that's like saying you should offer condolences to Nazi soldiers and families of Nazi soldiers who mourn Adolf Hitler, despite the Holocaust. That's terrible.
-4

FarmboyDec. 22, 2011 - 07:42AM JST

CVHuan,

I don't think that is a good comparison. We are not at war with the North Korean people nor with Kim's family.
-2

some14someDec. 22, 2011 - 07:44AM JST

US helped unfreeze NK's Macau Funds when Kim Jong-Il was the president, US removed NK from Terror List when Kim Jong-Il was the president, how much aid (financial + food) was provided by US during Kim's tenor as President..? And now US is shy of offering condolences to him?
0

CVHuanDec. 22, 2011 - 07:54AM JST

CVHuan, I don't think that is a good comparison. We are not at war with the North Korean people nor with Kim's family.

@Farmboy. Tell that to the families of South Korean victims killed by North Koreans, especially in November of last year as well as the dead sailors of the sunken South Korean warship.
-3

FarmboyDec. 22, 2011 - 08:04AM JST

CVHuan,

The South Koreans ARE still technically at war with the North Koreans, but even so, many in the South would like to reunite with the North. Many of them have family in the North.

But none of that is my point, really. I think there is a way of acting that is responsible and polite, and the USA should be big enough to act that way. We don't have to agree with the North Korean way of government, nor its actions, to behave properly. Condolences should be offered. The North Koreans certainly know we don't like some of their actions.

Small things lead to bigger things, and if we believe there is hope for world peace without blowing everything and everybody up (Isn't that our message to the North Koreans?), we should be willing to lead others in acting correctly.
-2

sfjp330Dec. 22, 2011 - 08:33AM JST

FarmboyDec. 22, 2011 - 08:04AM JST. South Koreans ARE still technically at war with the North Koreans, but even so, many in the South would like to reunite with the North. Many of them have family in the North. But none of that is my point, really. I think there is a way of acting that is responsible and polite,

IWell, same can be said about Japan and Russia. Technically, Japan and Russia is still at war. If you ask the 17,000 people that were evicted from Kuril Island after the WWII, do you think these people will act in responsible and polite manner to Russia?
-2

NetNinjaDec. 22, 2011 - 09:28AM JST

WASHINGTON — North Korean strongman Kim Jong-Il’s death is raising tough questions not only of policy but of protocol, with major world powers divided on whether and how to offer condolences.

Pyongyang: To those wishing to offer their condolences, at this moment the capital has been inundated with flowers. With the winter season fast approaching is difficult to maintain the beauty of these flowers. If you sincerely wish to express your condolences we are accepting enriched uranium and high grade plutonium to honor our fallen leader.

Each person who donates the above items will receive a free pair of Kim Jong il sunglasses and a golf ball used by the legendary golfer.
-1

GWDec. 22, 2011 - 09:42AM JST

just deal with it like a change of head of state, you know which happens every year in Japan.

Only difference is NK's guy didnt step down, he checked outta this world, sayooooooooooooooooonara!
0

megosaaDec. 22, 2011 - 09:59AM JST

JT should start a poll to see how many are for and against offering condolences!
-1

OssanAmericaDec. 22, 2011 - 10:08AM JST

No need for condolences. The world except for China supports the North Korean people not their oppressive regime or heirs.
0

CVHuanDec. 22, 2011 - 10:14AM JST

No need for condolences. The world except for China supports the North Korean people not their oppressive regime or heirs.

@OssanAmerica. For almost every bad thing that happens in East Asia, you would always single out China.
0

jforceDec. 22, 2011 - 10:33AM JST

Condolences for the people for having to live with no food or heat under the brutal dictatorship of one family/military. Civilized to offer condolences? Polite? I'm afraid it doesn't matter either way. The media there will spin it how they want. Some of you need to be realists about how aid is used with the North, too. It is simply ransom money to appease them. Appeasement is always a failure. What we need to do is further isolate them and cut all aid, while at the same time offer and assist in clear paths for defectors.
-1

BurakuminDesDec. 22, 2011 - 10:43AM JST

My understanding is that Burma (Myanmar), Iran and Russia offered "condolences" - the three being close friends of NK and not exactly being shining lights of freedom. IMO, sympathy is right to be offered to the NK people - not the aristocrats and generals ruling that joint.
0

hoserfellaDec. 22, 2011 - 11:11AM JST

If your Uncle Godfrey dies, and you never liked your uncle, you still offer condolences to your aunt. It's polite. She might actually miss the old geezer.

Farmboy - You don't offer condolences if your Uncle Godfrey killed thousands if not millions of his countrymen.
0

ExportExpertDec. 22, 2011 - 11:12AM JST

Condolences or congratualtions should be by choice, offering the foremost is to show your true colours (communist dictatorial tyrant supporter), offering the latter is the right thing to do.

Congratualtions to the People of North korea on having the pleasure to witness the passing of this terrible beast jong ill, now lets hope you can bask in the freedom and simple pleasures the rest of the world enjoys.
0

NuckinFutzDec. 22, 2011 - 11:14AM JST

I'm holding up my middle finger of condolence for Kim Jong Il. My only regret is that he died of a heart attack and not at the hands of those he oppressed!
0

LH10Dec. 22, 2011 - 11:59AM JST

Western nations have studiously avoided the word “condolences”...well no duh the guy was a nutcase freak lol!! happy that thing died. nk should be free now, no more nuke bomb testing and shiz but his son is taking over -_-'
0

BernieKDec. 22, 2011 - 12:08PM JST

foreign governments have been spared an additional dilemma as North Korea has indicated that international leaders will not take part in Kim's December 28 funeral

There's definitely a power struggle from the power vacuum, so that's why no international leaders will not take part in the funeral. No body knows DPRK, really, but when you see a closed family/country funeral you know they're getting the butter knives out and squabbling.
-1

RiffraffDec. 22, 2011 - 12:29PM JST

Well my buddy, Jimmy Carter, offered his condolences...... didn't take him long to show that stripe.
-1

SerranoDec. 22, 2011 - 02:07PM JST

"China quickly showed its grief"

Chinese Foreign Ministry bureaucrats, not the Chinese people.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright called Kim Jong Il, quote, a pervert.
When Kim Jong Il heard that, he said, "Tell her to say it again slowly while licking her lips." - Conan O'Brien
-2

LoveNotDec. 22, 2011 - 02:12PM JST

It is the USA that created this country. Lol Why are they so indignant against it. It is their monster child.
0

FarmboyDec. 22, 2011 - 02:12PM JST

Farmboy - You don't offer condolences if your Uncle Godfrey killed thousands if not millions of his countrymen. >

Sure i do. The condolences are for my aunt for having had to live with him, or for the pain she feels at his loss despite his misdeeds. Condolences are for the relatives, not for the person who died, who is beyond caring. I see that my view is not popular, but to me, not to offer condolences to someone who is grieving is small- minded and petty.
-1

No CompunctionDec. 22, 2011 - 05:35PM JST

It is the USA that created this country. Lol Why are they so indignant against it. It is their monster child.

Err, come again? If it wasn't for North Korea invading the South back in the 50s, you wouldn't have this (fatherless) child of the world community known as North Korea. That and the fact that it was Mao Ze Ding Dong's decision to intervene on behalf of the North to push back the UN-backed forces.

Grow up and grow a pair will you.
-1

anglootakuDec. 22, 2011 - 06:54PM JST

Even when he made the country fall into poverty they still have high respect in patriotism..?
-1

lostrune2Dec. 22, 2011 - 07:28PM JST

The Western nations offered "condolences" to the suffering North Korean people, not to Kim Jong-il himself. That is enough.
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Blair HerronDec. 22, 2011 - 08:11PM JST

According to the research by Toru Tamakawa, USA, SK, China want NK regime to stay as it is. No one wants the collapse of the regime, nor unification of Korea.

For SK, they cannot afford taking all the refugees or unification. At German unification in 1990, WG population was 60million, EG was 16million (4:1). WG GDP was $879billion, EG was $197billion (4:1). SK population is 49million, NK is 23million (2:1), SK GDP $1trillion, NK GDP $19billion (46:1).

China also cannot afford millions of refugees.

USA cannot afford military expansion in SK when war happens between SK and NK, or NK regime collapse and the NK military would outburst.

Humanitarian assistance is necessary for all those starving children, but in reality, those countries cannot afford drastic changes in NK.
-1

hoserfellaDec. 22, 2011 - 10:37PM JST

I see that my view is not popular, but to me, not to offer condolences to someone who is grieving is small- minded and petty.

Farmboy - So sensitive. Brought a tear to my eye..But why don't you go to NK and find out just how many people are really shedding a tear for the Psychopath and get back to me.
0

serendipitousDec. 22, 2011 - 11:35PM JST

After some thought and a few beverages, I'm with farmboy on this one. It won't hurt the US or other countries to offer condolences to those who may be sad Kim has gone. It seems that the vast majority of the population is brainwashed to believe he is the be all and end all so they should be sympathized with. If one day NK becomes more open and reunites with the South, the condolences can always be retracted when the NK people finally learn that not everyone in the world lives like them and realize how tough they have it because of their formerly 'Dear' but now 'Dead' leader.
0

gelendestrasseDec. 23, 2011 - 02:25AM JST

I have to agree that it would take a few beverages to come to the conclusion that anybody would offer condolances regarding the death of a despot like Kim Jong Ill. I think the statement offering support to the Korean people during difficult times is about right. NK has proven that it isn't concerned with international protocols, so why should anybody else care? Plus, why offer any shred of credibility to a regime that starves it's own people while partying hearty themselves? Good riddance, I say.
-1

TrevorPeace1Dec. 23, 2011 - 02:56AM JST

Basically, I see two sides to this argument of offering condolence (as well as a few misspellings), so let's remind ourselves of what condolence is: it's the expression of sympathy with a person who is suffering sorrow, misfortune or grief. Some North Koreans, regardless of whether you call them brainwashed, are sorrowful with their "Dear Leader's" demise. You would be too, if you were indoctrinated with his God-image from the age of two, which is what they do with all young children in North Korean early childhood daycares. That said, I suggest that ALL North Koreans, young and and old, are suffering misfortune for his and his father's demented leadership, so perhaps instead of condolence, we should offer congratulations? But then, that's assuming his son will turn the country ass-over-tea-kettle and introduce true democracy. Alas, pipedreams are only that. And as for the grief part, I'm sure that's limited to his family and privileged cronies, if that.
0

TigermothIIDec. 23, 2011 - 03:31AM JST

Reminds me of the lyrics of a Clash song "if Adolph Hitler flew in today, they'd send a limousine anyway". Ah, Joe Strummer I miss you man.

Why does the west feel need to be so PC? Good bloody riddance. The only issue is that now with the truly loony like this chap and Qaddafi gone, the comic opera types are fewer for ridicule. Maybe a better JT poll would be 'who had the most f'd up hair?'
-1

FarmboyDec. 23, 2011 - 09:25AM JST

It's not about being PC, it's about having some class, and acting like a world leader. The US statement was fine. It was a message of condolence, whether they called it that or not.