Mediator

Chosun Ilbo Oct.11,2005
As a senior U.S. State Department official working at the forefront of East Asian affairs, it seems Kathleen Stephens is in Korea not least to cool down overheated speculation about a rift between Seoul and Washington. Stephens is keen to smooth South Korean feathers ruffled by reports that Hill told a closed-door seminar Seoul had been not much help in the last round of the talks. She emphasizes instead that Hill has been saying both publicly and privately that South Korea has played a positive and important role in the development. A successful outcome of the talks, she stresses, hinges on close cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea.

Sounds like Mr. Hill is not taking any bullshit, and no country likes it. Very Good. South Korea must take some of the blame for the plight of North Koreans, as with China.

In an interview with the Chosun Ilbo, Stephens also said Hill has no immediate plans to visit the Stalinist country but is instead talking with all other parties, including with North Korea through its UN mission in New York. Excerpts follow...

I seriously doubt Mrs. Stephens will take the easy way out of this diplomatic mission(i.e the "Madeleine Albright" way).