Clinton Addresses North Korea Succession

Current Event Blog
Matt Northrup
2/20/09
On Hillary Rodham Clinton’s first trip abroad as Secretary of State, she was met with the news that North Korea had threatened to hold long range nuclear weapons tests. This was complicated by the fact that Clinton was meeting with South Korean Leaders. Clinton made headlines by meeting the situation head-on, calling North Korea a “hermit country” and leader Kim Jong-il a “tyrant.” “North Korea is not going to get a different relationship with the United States while insulting and refusing dialogue with the South,” she said. These actions represent a clear divergence from the paths taken by other diplomats when dealing with North Korea. The question is whether or not Clinton’s statements were a positive or negative proceeding.
I believe that only time will be able to tell us whether Clinton’s statements were a positive or negative action. However, it is somewhat comforting to see our Secretary of State take a clear stance on dealings with North Korea. In my opinion, it is probably a good thing to treat North Korea in a firm way, because their government’s behavior is unacceptable. Clinton also addressed the issue of a possible peace between the country and America, offering aid in return for the abolishment of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. As history unfolds, we will see what becomes of North Korea, but for now it’s nice to know where America stands on the issue.