pyongyang Roh, Kim Jong-il Share Straight, Frank Style
By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
When President Roh Moo-hyun meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, how will the two leaders talk to each other?
Though they differ in political career and outlook, the leaders will probably find common ground due to their straightforward styles.
Among other things, their speaking styles bears much resemblance.
Roh, who is often dubbed as a king of debate, likes to get to the point using blunt words.
One such example is when Roh said he would nail down the pressrooms with ``big nails,'' a shocking metaphor for journalists at home and abroad, alike. He still strongly pursues the closure of pressrooms in the government and the setting up of centralized pressrooms.
During a press briefing with U.S. President George W. Bush in Sydney at the APEC summit last month, Roh said Bush forgot to mention a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula or a declaration to end the Korean War. His remarks spawned various news articles curious about his intention.
Kim's direct and open speech was also confirmed when former President Kim Dae-jung met him at the first inter-Korean summit in June, 2000 in Pyongyang.
``European people think of me as a reclusive man but today President Kim's visit freed me (from the reclusive image),'' Kim Jong-il was quoted as saying to the former President.
Kim Jong-il also used the expression ``North Korea defector,''which the North doesn't'officially use because the term itself can put North Korea in an awkward position.
With their shared frankness, the two leaders are expected to agree on big agenda items, according to observers.
Another striking point to watch is the leaders' characteristic relatively young, smart and aggressive stance.
Roh and Kim are relatively young as far as leaders go at 61 and 65, respectively, and share an aggressive nature combined with intelligence.
In 1996, Roh failed to win the general election at the electoral district of Jongno, Seoul with the Democratic Party. He ran again in Busan in 2000 in vain. His defeat was well expected in Busan as his party was an underdog but he ran fighting against political regionalism.
When the National Election Commission said Roh's political remarks on presidential candidates violated his obligation to be neutral as president, he filed a constitutional complaint.
Kim has also shown his strong behavior by conducting tough campaigns such as the ``70-day Battle.'' Some even call his state management ``crazy tyrannical politics.''
Chung Dong-young, a former unification minister, said last month that Roh and Kim have similar points, as they are open and straight, and may conclude an agreement.
So unexpected agreements may come out during the summit.
Rep. Lee Hwa-young of the United New Democratic Party said last week that Kim will likely declare his abandoning of nuclear weapons at the summit.