The volatile situation in Korea

Weekend events and reports showed again that the most unpredictable and dangerous area remains the Korean peninsula. The undependable and often capricious Pyongyang government makes that tense area the most likely source of a new international conflict.

Despite years of effort, it still seems unlikely that North Korea is willing to join the world community as a responsible member. Nowhere else does the cold-war mentality run so deep and appear to be unshakeable. Reports and rumors of internal problems continue to trouble the more peaceable nations and world leaders. Two incidents have brought this lamentable fact home.

The first one involved a U.S. Army helicopter. The observation helicopter was either shot down or crashed inside North Korea while on a training mission along the tense Demilitarized Zone between North and South. Pyongyang then went silent on the incident.

South Korean newsmen reported the two crewmen survived the crash landing and were under interrogation. Later Pyongyang said one of the pilots had died in the crash. U.S. officials said they were in contact with North Korean military officers and diplomats, although the two countries have no official relations.

The second incident was a troubling report printed by South Koreas leading newspaper, Chosun Ilbo. It claimed that a chronic kidney ailment has kept North Koreas apparent leader Kim Jong-il from officially taking over his country's government.

It is now five months since the death of Mr. Kims father, the great leader Kim Il Sung. No new president has been named.

Predictions of official takeover by the younger Mr. Kim have been wrong.

The Pyongyang regime, although it seems to continue to function, is at least officially without a leader.

The Seoul report of Mr. Kim's ill health is not the only speculation. Reports of political dissent and internal opposition to the younger Kim, known as 'Dear Leader,' have also surfaced.

In recent years and months, Pyongyang has failed to seize opportunities to emerge from its deep isolation. There can be no doubt it would receive great encouragement in any such move.

Its traditional friends and enemies alike -- from China to the U.S. and South Korea -- all have encouraged North Korea to break free of its old ways.

There are openings galore: the U.S. helicopter problem, the new Seoul government and the unconfirmed reports of illness and in-fighting in Pyongyang are the most recent examples.

North Korea must work to seize such chances, and to capitalize on them.

-- The Bangkok Post