For those of you who follow Korea issues, feel free to take a powder... for those of you who want to read up on US-ROK relations, feel free to browse through the Marmot's coverage, the Korea Liberator, or US in Korea.
In past meetings, Mr. Bush has done his best to paper over the differences. But his aides acknowledge that the gap has grown so much in recent months — “as wide as the Sea of Japan” one senior official said Wednesday — that it will be almost impossible to hide.*
Mr. Roh will receive treatment that contrasts sharply with the warm embrace extended in June to Japan’s prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi. Mr. Koizumi got long meetings, a glittering dinner and a trip to Graceland; Mr. Roh, leader of the other major United States ally in Asia, is getting an hour in the Oval Office and a quick lunch.
"Upgraded"? Compared to what? ----- * In view of the East Sea/Sea of Japan brouhaha, the invocation of "Sea of Japan" is cause for added hilarity.
** The reaction to this has occasioned some (in my opinion) justifiable cynicism, when viewed in contrast to the reaction to the near-contemporaneous deaths of South Korean sailors in a gunfight with the North Korean navy.
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