EDITORIAL
North Korea might say that it's better to be six months late than never. That is how long it has taken for Pyongyang to agree that it missed the deadline for declaring all its nuclear programmes. But to the annoyance of its five negotiating partners, North Korea still has not actually presented such details.
The other five participants in the six-party talks have become upset, and not without reason. Japan wants faster progress, and China has at last sent Vice-President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang to move things forward. It is in everyone's interest to encourage the Kim Jong-Il regime to speed things up and become more transparent.
North Korea has long made diplomatic negotiations a frustrating experience. It is rightly called a hermit nation, and is wildly out of sync in a world where openness and clarity has long been accepted. Most countries build confidence by making clear policies to their neighbours. North Korea and a handful of other rogue nations confront the world by withholding their plans. Pyongyang's nuclear programme has caused massive suspicion, but this is not the only place where North Korea would rather hide, obfuscate and stonewall rather than face the problem in honest talks.
One of the most troubling aspects of North Korean policy is its kidnapping of foreign nationals, particularly _ but not only _ Japanese women. This outrageous policy has touched many countries and families, including in Thailand. It is almost certain North Korean thugs kidnapped Anocha Panjoy of Chiang Mai, and several other women from Singapore and Malaysia, in a brutal spy operation in 1978. Last week, Pyongyang finally agreed to discuss 17 similar abduction cases with Japan. For Thailand and other countries: nothing. This is where Mr Kim and his government could say that they acted wrongly in the past, try to account for such a brutal policy, and at least seek peace with Ms Anocha's family. Instead, it remains stubbornly silent.
One hopes Mr Xi can convince North Korea that disclosure and closure are as much in Pyongyang's interest. Mr Kim, the dictator, seems unwilling to provide anything that would benefit others, even information. Yet if he fails to hand over nuclear programme details as promised a year ago, it is North Korea which stands to suffer most consequences.
There is proper concern in this region about the North Korean programmes. Cooperation including the resumption of diplomatic relations has brought attention to the link between Pyongyang and the equally secretive, obstructionist Burmese military junta. With Burma seeking to build a nuclear reactor, and North Korea showing willingness to help, it is vital to shine a light on just what this project entails.
Last week, North Korea indicated that it wants a commitment from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to make an official visit. This is encouraging in that it shows that Pyongyang wants to move forward, and deal realistically with the world, especially the nation it describes as its "number one enemy". But as the heralded and ultimately disappointing North-South Korean summits showed, there must be more to international diplomacy than high-level shows.
There are many countries that want to welcome North Korea into the world community. Mr Kim could move relations forward by addressing the abduction issue directly with the Thai government. He could help his own country by releasing details of his nuclear programme. All governments should encourage and pressure Pyongyang to take these and other steps and show it is capable of living in a more transparent world.
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