North Korea ready for talks. The leader's sons - surprising information

Breaking news: North Korea's Foreign Minister, just hours ago, made a rare announcement that North Korea is ready to talk with the United States with the aim of calming tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

With weeks of tensions over North Korea's nuclear tests and a series of missile launches, this new concession sounds like welcomed news. It has been thought that because North Korea now feels it has the power and attention of the world, negotiation is now a tactical move.

Although North Korea made clear that it has no intention to resume talks with the 6 country forum, China, Japan, the two Koreas, Russia and the U.S., suggestions that a solo discuss with the United States is open under certain conditions.

Whether or not the United States is willing to talk to North Korea with this offer, is yet another matter. Barack ObamaBarack Obama has made the open statement to the world that he is willing to talk to all nationals. However, Hillary Rodham ClintonHillary Rodham Clinton, on NBC television's "Meet the Press" said that "the six-party talk framework, ... is the appropriate way to engage with North Korea." This leaves open the suggestion that talks between the United States and North Korea may not be without guidelines.

Just last month, US President Barack Obama called North Korea's regime, "a grave threat to the world," calling for an end to its weapons program. In response to Obama's comments, the volatile North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il, warned the United States of a "merciless" attack on America.

Despite warnings from the United States and The UN, North Korea has continued developing its nuclear program, including enriching uranium and launching three test missiles.

South Korea and Russia, countries that both border North Korea, expressed concerns of an imminent attack on their countries by North Korea. Russia promised to shoot down any missiles launched by North Korea and defend its country. Last month, at the White House, standing side-by-side with South Korean president Lee Myung-bak, Obama offered America's support to these neighboring countries by announcing, "belligerent, provocative behavior that threatens neighbors will be met with significant and serious enforcement of sanctions that are in place".

Whether Obama is in a position to negotiate with Kim Jong-Il would have to be weighed and balanced with Obama's vow that it would not be in the world's interest to allow any reward or offer of reward to North Korea in exchange for ceasing its nuclear program after it created world crisis with its agressive nuclear ambition.

Last month, The UN announced even tougher sanctions on North Korea by ordering an arms embargo and ship inspections leaving from and arriving to North Korea. Jong-Il responded to The UN's new sanctions by warning that any enforcement of these sanctions would be considered an act of war against North Korea.

Kim Jong-Il's sons:

There is one other matter which might be driving Jong-Il to act with strategy. It has been reported that Jong-Il is preparing to hand over his regime to the youngest of his three sons, 26-year-old Kim Jong-Un. Before handing over the reigns to his youngest son, Jung-Il could be strengthening North Korea's threat against the world, to warn the world not to take advantage of this transition period in North Korea's government.

After his stroke last August, Jong-Il, who is now 68 years-old, faced the possibility of his death and the resulting chaos that might occur should he fail to prepare a successor. Why did Jong-il choose his youngest son as his successor?

Kim Jong-chul, the 27-year-old middle son, was apparently deemed too girlish to rule the communist nation. Jong-chul looks like a woman and is said to be a cross-dresser. However, Jung-Il has rebuked the remarks by called his son's appearance feminine caused by a hormone imbalance.

The eldest son, Kim Jong-nam, was also overlooked to take the reigns from his dad. In 2001, Jong-nam was caught trying to leave North Korea with a fake passport. When questioned, Jong-nam reportedly said that he was trying to go to Disneyland in Japan.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/27/n-korea-says-its-willing-talk/?source=newsletter_must-read-stories-today_more_news_carousel

http://cnnwire.com

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE56M0KO20090723

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid88112.asp