Finally, the North may be trying to increase pressure on Tokyo. Pyongyang knows very well that the big economic prize in its diplomatic offensive are the billions of dollars in assistance Japan stands ready to provide if normalization talks succeed. Improving relations with Seoul and Washington may only make Japan more anxious not to be left behind and, therefore, more ready to compromise. There would seem to be few perils for the Administration in moving ahead. One important consideration will be to find the right balance between symbolism and substance.
Doubts remain about whether North Korea is really serious or just seeking near-term benefits.
Pictures of hundreds of thousands of North Koreans lining the streets of Pyongyang to greet President Clinton and waving American flags after decades of vilifying the U.S. will be gratifying and even astounding. Removing North Korea from the terrorism list and establishing diplomatic relations may have political significance. But, for Americans, real progress will come only if the military threat posed by Pyongyang is reduced. Tangible signs of progress would include further limits on the North's indigenous missile deployments and exports to unstable regions like the Middle East. Real progress might also include reductions in North Korea's forward-deployed conventional forces.