North Korea's intentions

Kim Jong-il was appointed leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) by that country's Supreme People's Assembly, or the parliament. The country had been formally (although not effectively) without leadership for almost four years following the death of former President Kim Il-sung. People throughout the world were eager to hear him lay out his policies in a speech to the assembly -- as his father used to do -- but he did not speak.

Does he plan to enhance his prestige by veiling himself in mystery? It is certainly abnormal to have a silent supreme leader in the present-day world.

It is typical of North Korean diplomacy to adeptly alternate strong-arm tactics with smiling entreaties. Kim Jong-il is no doubt taking the lead in this style of diplomacy. It is consistent with this diplomacy that North Korea would make light of the missile-test reactions in South Korea and Japan while making much of negotiations with the United States.

What is the North's real intention? How is it related to the easing of tension in Northwest Asia? To deal with North Korea, we have to find answers to these questions.

-- The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo