Machete - ma SHET ee
Famine - FA min
Demonstrable - de MON sta bo
A weaker person will threaten someone with ... (brute force)
In the same way, Kim is approaching “negotiations” “democratic” countries, with force.
Paradoxically, I think his approach epitomizes his weakness / weak point of his regime.
Many people are living under the poverty line, and suffering from a lack of resources,
residences, jobs, ability to have income, education.
How does his international approach epitomize the domestic situation?
I hear that Kim Jung Un sets himself up as Kim Jung Il who was known to be the
strongest leader in North Korean history.
He suffered sudden, unexpected death, so his son succeeded him
Even though Kim Jung Un was young and immature he had to succeed his father as
leader of DPRK. “ the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”
Without weapons, he could not govern his country effectively.
I think I agree - he’s not demonstrated anything aside from a ruthless ambition
It’s said that weak dogs bark loudest.
I think that’s the case in North Korea now
Nuclear weapons are enough to make people think twice before attacking.
There is a lot of discussion about Trump not being a failure
He’s concerned about his country being taken over by other countries
Even China has recently disowned its alliance with North Korea
In that sense, North Korea is a kind of lone state / they’re on their own in terms of the
political international arena
If it comes to me, I’ll mention it.
That’s the million-dollar question: we understand his motivation
Silver bullets - no easy solution (a reference that comes from Vampire hunting) / no
absolute / guaranteed solution to this Kim situation.
Trump’s gesture is a hollow one - without real progress, only showmanship
Dennis Rodman (former basketball player)
It was very controversial because it seemed like, with the visit of a very prominent
American, that they were condoning/endorsing his regime.
Nothing happened really, the controversy faded and there was no lasting effect on his
relationship with Kim.
If you didn’t say anything,
Domestically in the States, he broadcasted the trip as basketball diplomacy.
The things that politicians cannot do, I can do with my celebrity.
When Rodman returned, he even went as far as to say Kim is a cool guy.
Many people felt these comments were very irresponsible.
Many people viewed his visit as simply charades with the scariest, violent regime in the
world today.
Presidential candidate Biden has more political pedigree/license, experience than
Trump
Biden’s approach to Kim promises to be much more cutthroat / more intense.
Coddling = like a baby
Until now, Trump is trying to treat him like a friend, an ally, to coddle him into
submission. It’s not working. Kim does not need the recognition of the international
community - he’s already demonstrated that he doesn’t care what anybody thinks.
North Korean regime tried to abduct foreigners when they were near the North Korean
border.
I think that were many confirmed and suspected cases from many countries.
The fact that there are human rights violations in North Korea - including abductions - is
confirmed fact.
Even when politicians are visiting and having conferences and summits with NK
leadership, people are suffering.
Visiting NK is somehow sanctioning the country.
Trump is the first president who is trying to have a diplomatic relationship with Kim.
Compared to his father, Kim Jung Un is still a baby.
When you say formidable, I think of Kim Jung Il.
The one who propelled the country into infamy (famous) Kim Jung Il.
Management by intimidation was the best way for Il.
It’s very clever what he’s doing because he knows the attraction firsthand.
What China did that was different from North Korea was 2 things - first, they allowed
capitalism to bloom/ fester like a virus. One reason for this is because Deng recognized
that he was no longer able to successfully contain the influx of Western culture.
They promoted Chinese culture as not only superior to Chinese but superior to Western
ideals.
Mao and Kim promoted the concept of domestic exceptionalism = We are special
Soft power
Orphans
Nobody could have imagined China sitting at the top of the economic world 10 years
ago.
Xi JiPing looks like the most successful leader in Chinese history.
Xi Jiping borrowed a page from Putin’s book, and named himself forever PM.
Its worrying but its remarkable that this situation is actually just a sidenote to the
dramatic transformation of China.
Alarming - worrying
Human nature is very simple
If you crush them,
There is a Chinese proverb that reads If you want to crush ice, dont use force - you will
bleed. Press softly and it will melt.
The coronavirus situation cast doubt on China”s future situation
The situation illuminates China’s weakness and potential for future failure as a country.
They are guilty of manipulating information via the Internet, which is a fatal point of their
version of administration.
The way that China is controlling information by way of the Internet will be their Achilles’
heel.
VPN - protect your connection
North Koreans who defect are often top-ranking officials
Manifest destiny- belief that it should be
America believed in manifest destiny -= that North America should be entirely America.