Why North Korea Is Rushing To Cozy Up To Clinton

Six months ago, much of the world saw North Korean leader Kim Jong Il as a playboy terrorist. But after two days of cordial talks Oct. 23-25 with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright--the first American official Kim has ever met--the reclusive North Korean is suddenly projecting the image of a man the U.S. can do business with. During Albright's visit to Pyongyang, Kim and Albright spent many hours together--in discussions, at two dinners, and at a bombastic spectacle of 100,000 performers extolling the ideals of the Korean Workers' Party. As her visit ended, Albright suggested that Kim "pick up the phone anytime" he wanted to reach her. Kim responded: "Please give me your e-mail address."

The Secretary of State and the Dear Leader as e-mail pen pals? It's hard to imagine. But the speed with which the two nations are moving to end what Kim termed "50 years of silence" is breathtaking. The Albright visit capped a year of feverish diplomacy by the North Koreans. For both sides, realpolitik is driving the process. With only three months left before President Clinton leaves office, the North Koreans fear the next Administration--whoever is in charge--may not be as accommodating. Making nice to Albright was the best way for Kim to get Clinton to visit before the end of the year, and solidify some of the promises the U.S. President has made to get North Korea to back down on missile proliferation and its nuclear threat. These include steps toward diplomatic normalization and ending the trade embargo, plus more economic aid. As a lame duck, Clinton has nothing to lose politically by locking in agreements that can't be undone by his successor.