Could Intra-Korean relations be any creepier?

The short answer to that is no. They couldn’t.

And the goal reads “World Market.” The ball, meanwhile, reads “Market Economy,” while the fan section reads, “Becoming an Economic Great Power.” The sign carried by the balloons reads, “The North-South economy, towards becoming one and toward the future.” BTW, as KJI passes the ball to Roh, Roh says, “Nice pass.”

Heartwarming, isn’t it? The funny thing is, for all the talk of building up the North, even Roh admitted yesterday following the morning meeting that Kim was very skeptical about economic reform and opening up the country, while at the same time upset about the slow pace of the Kaesong Industrial Park complex. Or to put this another way, Pyongyang expects the tribute to keep flowing North, but don’t expect anything in the way of the systemic economic reform necessary to make any kind of aid to the North bear fruit.

The flag on the goal says “world free market”. The ball says “market competition.” The banner in the stands says something to the effect “Economy (star) great country” then under that “achieved.” The conversation is harder, either “I take it, and Kim Jong Il is saying “pass”, or something to that effect. The far goal sign says “South-North economy”. The banner floating on balloons says “The South-North economy goes to the future as one.” The goalie is giving the equivalent of “oh, no!” I suppose it is true, South Korean investment and factories combined with North Korean slave labor is building the future South-North economic model.

And the last correction, on reflection Robert is correct he does say “nice pass.” Konglish always gets me.

KJI certainly looks more energetic and alive on that soccer field than he did trundling down the red carpet with Roh.