Kim Jong Il, who has been troubled by rumors of his ill-health for some time now, used his meeting with former President Bill Clinton on the 4th as a chance to show that he is still in control and in good health, but at the same time managed to betray his basic lack of humanity.
After their three-hour meeting in the reception hall of Baekhwawon, the prestigious guesthouse in Pyongyang where visiting foreign dignitaries are housed, the two went to a dinner party hosted by the National Defense Commission. When all was said and done, Kim ordered a pardon for the two journalists, and Clinton departed for Los Angeles with the two the following morning.
These events were more than enough to display his good condition to domestic and international audiences.
North Korean news media, including the main Chosun Central News Agency (KCNA), reported that Clinton’s visit to Pyongyang and the meeting between the two was a great help in creating a friendly atmosphere.
In photos released by the North Korean media, Kim Jong Il maintained a bright, smiling face while Clinton, famous for his amiable, charming expression in general, kept an expressionless, almost stern demeanor.
During the meeting, the North Korean media was keen to point out, Kim Jong Il smiled and talked actively, utilizing many hand gestures. On the other hand, Clinton behaved stiffly, without any notable expression, since the moment he landed at Sunan Airport until the moment he departed.
His attitude seemed to be trying to convey the idea that his trip was all about business, not for the normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations or other outstanding diplomatic problems, but for the release of two imprisoned journalists.
Only when he was about to leave the airport on the 5th did he smile or wave.
However, Kim Jong Il had different motivations, as he was using the meeting to try and hush up rumors of his health condition which have been circulating around the world for some months.
It was a precaution against rumors, then, notable since the U.S. and South Korea have started examining countermeasures against any emergency coming from the North triggered by his sudden death.
But in terms of both international diplomacy and basic ethical standards, Kim’s behavior was reprehensible. An expert in a South Korean national policy institute was highly critical, “Although North Korea is a country beyond basic common sense; it is ridiculous to release photos showing the leader with a big, victorious smile just after using two young women as political hostages.”
He continued, “Watching this affair play out, the people of the world have seen the incumbent U.S. President and a former President expressing sincere anxiety for two of their citizens imprisoned overseas, and at the same time a North Korean leader who has let as many as three million people starve to death with a smug, self-satisfied look on his face after the success of a hostage operation.”
