Park Chung Hee of the South and Kim Il Sung decide that a series of meetings might boost their poll numbers. Both are in trouble with “the people.” By July 4, 1972 (interesting date) they agree on a joint communique, wherein a telephone hotline between the two nations is proposed amidst the normal pledges of reunification, “someday”.

By 1973 all bets are off. There is disagreement as to how to proceed, and the silence resumes. Kim Il Sung goes off in another direction, joining in with the so-called “non-aligned” nations, peoples who have not yet chosen a side in the huge global game. While his people begin their decline into abject poverty, Kim offers some of these poor nations, especially in Africa, aid. And arms. All of Madagascar, for example, is armed by the Hermit Kingdom.

Everyone’s best friend, Jimmy Carter, is elected President in 1976, and to the liking of everyone, especially Kim Il Sung, he promises to bring home all troops from Korea! Later he has second thoughts. August 18, 1976, to be specific. Some American soldiers at the DMZ are trimming some trees so their view of the enemy is not blocked. North Korea soldiers wave them off, but the Americans stand their ground… and are axed to death.

Carter waters down his plan a bit. In that same decade, Kim Il Sung digs tunnels under the DMZ and builds his army to an incredible 600,000. That is the 5th largest in the world at the time. Proportionate to his population (only 17,000,000) it is probably number one. You’d think that one soldier for every 28 citizens is a bit excessive.

Following China’s lead, in 1979 Kim opens up to American visitors in the form of ping-pong diplomats, and attempts to open talks again. Carter bounces over immediately to Seoul encouraging the dialogue to begin but challenging the human rights issues. Kim is angered that Seoul is even to be a part of the new talks. He wants a bilateral discussion with the attached recognition of his regime, with the United States. Not to happen.

So one can say perhaps that some progress is being made as we look around today. North Korea is talking again. North Korea is willing to sit down with old rivals… which includes most of the human race. But North Korea still has its hand out and a gun pointed to those who will not get with the program. It will be fascinating, if not tragic, to see what the next days and weeks produce.