korean unification studies

As if anyone in the Korean studies world needed confirmation, the Australian newspaper has it large print:

For South Korea, nothing else matters (Mark Dodd, 9 September 2007)

NO offence to APEC host Australia, but only one issue counted for the South Korean delegation - talks between US President George W Bush and his counterpart Roh Moo-hyun on dismantling North Korea’s nuclear program.

An alleged spat over a South Korean request for a formal clarification from the US on ending the Korean War was the fault of a translator, a senior official close to Mr Roh told The Australian last night.

In a terse exchange on Friday following their meeting, Mr Bush told Mr Roh the US would formally declare an end to hostilities only when North Korea dismantled its nuclear weapons.

But it was all just a misunderstanding caused by a flustered interpreter, according to the South Koreans…

Asked what was the most important aspect of the APEC leaders summit for South Korea, the official who asked not to be named replied: “The meeting with George Bush.”

Discussion at the APEC talks between the two leaders focused on North Korea’s decision to allow inspectors to conduct a comprehensive survey of its nuclear facilities…

Meanwhile at APEC other things were happening such as global environmental declarations, initiation of security dialogues, uranium sales to Russia, Aus-Jap-US security talks… but these things didn’t involve Korean unification!