I usually don't mention news coming out of North Korea, but (from my point of view) this is worth repeating.

Again?

I believe they suspend their nuclear program the second and fourth Wednesdays of months containing "R." You can look up the dates in your Farmer's Almanac.

IMHO, the most significant part of the above mentioned article is this:


As I noted earlier in this thread, the new leader is worried about not only coups, but general insurrection. He is trying to make sure that the peasantry does not start food riots which could lead to his demise.

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That's a fairly broad strokes statement, which misses some of the subtlety of this move.

The food aid is in a form (biscuits if I recall correctly) which makes it seem aimed mostly at small children, not exactly the revolting classes. For much of the citizenry of Korea, this food aid will have little impact.

But, it is a good political message. Both at home for him, and abroad, Kim Jong Un has, with this maneuver, cost himself little (A nuclear weapon program has few benefits for Korea) and sent a political message that he wants to work with western countries. At the same time, he didn't lose much face at home, because he can point to benefits earned, and possible sanction talks later on.

It's not a revolution stopper, but it is a way to back down from the traditional brinksmanship that characterized his father's rule, allowing him, as well, to set himself apart in the hearts and minds of people both at home and abroad.

In short, it's a really elegant movement. I have to wonder, after seeing this, if Un plays Go.