Prolonged Stalemate

I found this op-ed in the Korea Times that advances an overall balanced perspective (in my opinion) on the recent US-ROK-DPRK dialogue.

The author appropriately places blame on all three nations for failing to build trust. While it’s no surprise that the North rejects President Lee Myung-bak new strategy, the manner in which it did made matters exponentially counterproductive and calls into question the North’s intentions to seriously work with the South’s new government. At the same time, Mr. Lee has a dilemma on his hands. He has committed to implementing a tougher North Korea policy. But is ready to weather the economic, political, and security implications in sticking to this policy should the KJR become more provocative?
Equally compelling is Lee’s stance at time when the US seems to be reversing course.