October Surprise in North Korea?

“북미정상회담 성사되려면 이번엔 트럼프가 평양으로 가야…김정은 체면 세워줄 필요” - 정세현,*
* “For the North Korea-U.S. summit to happen, Trump must go to Pyongyang this time… Need to save face for Kim Jong-un” - Jeong Se-hyeon

Jeong Se-hyun is a former Unification Minister of South Korea under two presidents from 2002-2004, Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun. He is a remarkable person and brilliant political observer. He served as an adviser to the Moon Jae-in administration. President Moon of course was the "pacemaker" opening doors in Pyongyang enabling Trump 1's abortive but attention getting overtures to Kim Jong-un in Singapore, Hanoi and the later meaningless sequel at Panmunjom.

The US president is in deep political trouble recently and the US has lost more international stature under his "leadership," so he's looking for some world attention getting spectacular to compensate all the ill fortune he's invited in an electoral sense in face of the upcoming election. Jeong is of the opinion that it's entirely possible that Trump may go to Pyongyang during the middle ten day period in October. I emphasize that all this is speculation. Jeong's reading the tea leaves. Jeong in a South Korean MBC Radio current events interview (video on youtube) outlines a step by step procedure for normalizing relations with North Korea which is quite elaborate, requires professional diplomats (something Trump doesn't have) and a lot of planning and attention. Nevertheless he analyzes nuances in Trump's public statements, and those of Kim Yeo-jong, Kim's sister, the NK missile launches, etc., and in spite of the apparent rejection that appears on the face of things, how the doorway is still open, in his estimation.

I'm putting the Jeong's first interview video here. I want everyone to see Jeong because he is a historic figure in his own right, playing a role opening the door as it was to North Korea with 3 former South Korean presidents. I'm posting it for those who monitor such things. The youtube English translation was poor, it took me about an hour to make sure I understood it. I kept switching the subtitles back and forth, and checking the dictionary. Those who are interested can see I'm not making this up.



Jeong believes that Trump will go to Pyongyang and then to the Kalma peninsula in Wonsan on the East Sea. Kim will not go to Donald, Donald will go to Kim. Jeong believes in order to avoid the anti Trump, anti Kim, political headwinds, the arrangements could be made behind the scenes through a third party country intermediary, like Sweden or other amenable trustworthy player. There's likely not enough time to set up the institutional structures necessary for actually accomplishing the steps to reduce military tensions, set up contact missions in the respective countries, with a view towards normalizing relations and seeking a "peace regime" on the peninsula. For a first step, Trump could disclose some of these measures at the meeting in October, which would have to include some relaxation of the sanctions regime, which has lost it's impact anyway because of Russian and Chinese relations with North Korea.

I knew something was up Aug 12. If they need any help they should call Jeong.


*Kim was humiliated publicly in front of the entire world by Trump at Hanoi, in Feb 2019, so he's not going anywhere to meet President Trump. Trump has to come to him. Western observer's usually say critically, Trump is increasing Kim's prestige. Jeong suggests Kim's travel arrangements to meet Trump in Singapore and later in Hanoi were themselves humiliating or at least suggested he was the supplicant.


Update, I wrote the commentary above on 8.21 EST. This morning I saw this shorter JTBC youtube video interview of Jeong below on the same subject 8.22.

The JTBC video is better for foreign audiences, more to the point on the possible October surprise, in their interview with Jeong. The google English translation quality is better up to the 7:20 mark when it says erroneously Japanese Korean agreement on July 27, 1953, instead of Armistice which was the correct translation. Jeong notes some South Korean general didn't show at the armistice site to sign the Armistice on behalf of South Korea, which the North Koreans have argued deprives them of standing. There is some confusion with pronouns after that as well because AI doesn't do context. Usually, gender and number of pronouns is understood rather than expressed in a Korean conversation. AI consistently fails at this.

Jeong describes the preliminary basic steps to getting a summit with North Korea rather than the mechanism for accomplishing the objectives of negotiations. This interview leaves aside the necessary administrative steps and ground work. This is something we know the US is reluctant to undertake historically.

Is Spring really coming this time?

Recommend this post below by Simone Chun:

분단된 한반도의 양심의 목소리: 대한민국 통일부 장관 정동영. 북미정상회담 실현위해한미연합훈련 전면 조정. 개성공단 조속히 재개, 남북한 민간 교류 전면 재개. https://t.co/VrPySGu9mu

— KoreaUpdate (@SimoneChun) February 14, 2026

I didn't know the drone incursions in the lead up to the December 3, coup attempt by Yoon, had been so extensive. I believe the Moon administration's "reluctance" to reopen Kaseong was based on US State Department resistance. The US objected to Moon's overtures to North Korea regarding Kaesong, Geumgangsan, and the East and West rail links with North Korea. This opposition was publicly visible from 2018 through the debacle at Hanoi in February 2019. Followed these developments in South Korean media quite closely at the time. The expressions "don't get too far ahead," "no daylight," and "lock step," come to mind.

President Trump seems so inclined again:

Trump administration approves humanitarian aid for North Korea https://t.co/xRtgTQSZYL

— KoreaUpdate (@SimoneChun) February 7, 2026

Lee Surprises Again

<이 한반도에도 언젠가는 혼란과 적대의 비정상이 극복되고, 서로 존중하며 공존공영하는 날이 오겠지요. 북측에도 새해 복 많이 내리기를..>

만나라, 뽀재명과 뽀정은

https://t.co/UJBYAYx2vh

— 이재명 (@Jaemyung_Lee) January 7, 2026

The post is in Korean but the translate button worked...

One day, the abnormality of chaos and hostility will be overcome on this Korean Peninsula as well, and a day will come when we respect each other and coexist and co-prosper. I hope the northern side also receives much New Year's fortune...

Man-nara, Ppo Jae-myung and Ppo Jeong

Penguin Lee and Penguin Kim, Meet!

Simon Chun picked up on this twitter post by President Lee Jae-myung. Lee is referring to a an article dated January 7, on Daum.net, discussing the cultural and potential political significance of a jointly produced animated film that circulated worldwide.

"Pororo the Little Penguin" is an animated film created in 2003 by the combined wisdom and technology of North and South Korea. It tells the story of Pororo the penguin overcoming obstacles and forming friendships with his friends. Immediately after its release, Pororo became a beloved friend to children, ascending to the adorable throne of "President Pororo."

The article notes the significant restraint exercised by Kim Jong-un during provocative actions by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The impeached former president of South Korea tried to set the stage for martial law by provoking the North Korea with drone violations of North Korean territory among other things.

The browser translate function readily produced a good English translation. I would have posted more but there was a stern copyright warning.

Meet, Pojaemyeong and Pojeong

Byeokrando Spirit

Korean old style diplomacy: Will it work?

Japan's PM Takaichi (right) watches with discomfort South Korea's President Lee and his "splendid parade" of commercial representatives who accompany his diplomatic mission to China. The leaders of the industrial chaebol Samsung, Hyundai, SK, LG, etc., included in his delegation spur her sense of isolation. The latter a self imposed disadvantage due to her innate contempt for China, and ahistorical extremist nationalism (make Japan great again).

Graphic of "old Korea" ostensibly the Goryeo Dynasty-Song Dynasty trade routes. Korea was threatened by the "barbarian" Khitan Empire in the north (a tribal nomadic dominion in present day Manchuria, part of North Korea, and northern China) while the prosperous classical Chinese Song Dynasty existed to the southeast. Solution? Pay tribute to the Khitan to satisfy security needs and at the same trade with the Song Dynasty from the Byeokrando trading port on the Yellow Sea north of Gangwha island and east of Kaesong (in present day North Korea). The Byeokrando principle being that national security interests (placating the Khitan) need not and should not preclude the profitable trade with the Song, an advanced civilization.

Graphics source- 이재명 '벽란도'에 중국은 환호하고 일본은 통곡하고 있다ㄷㄷ B급정치 1.05.2026 youtube

December 22 in South Korea: Weird Historical Coincidence?

Who is Yi Jae-myung?


Lee Wan-yong was a former prime minister of Korea who is infamous for being the leading "traitor of Eulsa" who signed the so called Treaty of Eulsa, delivering the "Korean Empire" over to Japanese control as a protectorate in 1905.

Lee Won Yong (left) and Ito Hirobumi. prime minister and Japanese resident general of the Korean protectorate respectively, circa 1907. Ito was assassinated in Harbin in 1909, by a Korean independence fighter, Ahn Jung-geun, a national hero to this day. Lee was the victim of an attempted assassination by stabbing months later on December 22, 1909 in Seoul by Lee Jae-myung. Lee Wan Yong was known at the traitor of Eulsa.


This is a picture below of the freedom fighter Lee Jae-myung or Yi Jae Myung, the namesake of the current President of South Korea. The current president's birth date was registered by his father as December 22, 1964.

1909년 12월 22일, 종현 천주교당(現 명동성당) 앞에서 군밤장수로 변장한 이재명 의사는 이완용을 습격해 중상을 입히고 당당히 만세를 외쳤습니다.

오늘 12월 22일은 이재명 의사 의거 116주년입니다.
의사의 확고한 신념과 독립의지를 깊이 기억하겠습니다.

자세히보기 https://t.co/NMRUmXjH0e pic.twitter.com/zoPhl9JFVe

— 국가보훈부 (@hun2day) December 22, 2025

The first Lee Jae-myung, the Korean independence movement doctor/attempted assassin of Lee Wan Yong, attacked with a knife.

In 1909, he was seriously injured in an assassination attempt by the "Five Eulsa Traitors Assassination Group". The incident happened on 22 December 1909, when he and other targeted officials were attending a memorial service in Jong-hyeon Catholic Church (present-day Myeongdong Cathedral) for the recently deceased King Leopold II of Belgium. The assassin, Lee Jae-myeong (이재명; 李在明, 1887–1910) caught wind and disguised himself as a chestnut vendor outside the church. At around 11:30 a.m., Yi Wanyong appeared and was heading towards his rickshaw when Lee Jae-myeong sprung into action, stabbing him three times with a knife while shouting 'Long Live the Independence of Korea'. The assassin was quickly subdued by Japanese police and was arrested with serious injuries; he would be sentenced to death.[6]

In a twisted turn of fate, an attempted assassination by stabbing was made on then opposition democratic party leader Lee Jae-myung in January 2024, by a Mr. Kim, believed to be a Sincheonji (New Heaven and Earth) cult follower.

On 2 January 2024, Lee was stabbed in the left side of his neck while holding a question and answer session with reporters after touring the construction site of a planned new airport located on Gadeokdo in Busan.[49][50][51] Though Lee remained conscious, he continued bleeding and was transferred to a hospital approximately 20 minutes later.[49] The assailant, who was wearing a "I'm Lee Jae Myung" paper crown,[52][51] lunged at Lee after asking for his autograph.[53][49][51] The assailant was arrested at the scene.[49][51] The assailant was identified as a man named Kim Jin-sung and was reported to have been born in 1957.[54][49]

Though the neck wound was not considered to be life-threatening, Lee's surgery took longer than expected, with damage being inflicted on his jugular vein that led to additional bleeding.[54][53] The laceration in his neck which resulted from the knife wound was determined to be approximately 1 centimetre.[54] While in custody, the assailant confessed to Busan Metropolitan Police that he carried out the attack with the intention of killing Lee.[54]

So Doctor Lee Jae-myung the independence hero who attempted the assassination of the most famous "traitor of Eulsa" is commemorated on the same day as President Lee Jae-myung's birthday.

Night Garden

밤의 정원



보컬 Lucia(심규선) 작곡 Lucia(심규선) 작사 Lucia(심규선)

Credit to https://music.bugs.co.kr/track/6132661?wl_ref=list_tr_08_chart for the lyrics.


한밤중에 악몽의 틈에서 그대를 데려와서
In the middle of the night, I will bring you from the edge of nightmares
고요하고 너르른 풀밭에 눕히고 재우리라
and lay you down in the wide, quiet grass field, and let you sleep.
풀벌레 소리 시냇물이 흐르는 곳에
Where the crickets sound and the stream flows,
내일은 아직 오지 못하리 그대가 잠들기 전엔
Make tomorrow not yet come, before you fall asleep
연거푸 짚고 일어서려는 손
Your hands keep grasping in an effort to rise
긁히며 달려 멍들고 지친 발
Running feet, scratched, bruised, and exhausted
여기 넘어진 채로 우리 함께 엉겨 쉬면 어떠리
Here where we fell, why don't we lay and rest entangled together
깊은 밤 깊은 잠 깊은 밤
Deep night, deep sleep, deep night
젖은 이끼에 벌거벗은 등을 뉘여 보면 어떠리
If I lay my naked back on the wet moss, how will it be?
숨 쉰다 마신다 뱉는다
Breathing, drinking, gasping
부드러운 파도를 그대의 턱 끝까지 덮어주고
Soft waves cover you to the chin
창밖에는 눈꽃과 안개가 밤새 춤추게 하리라
Outside the window, snowflakes and fog seem to dance all night
어린 날의 결핍 무엇으로 채우리야
What will fill the want of childhood days?
어제는 다신 오지 못하리 그대 이제 안심하오
Yesterday will never come again. Now you can rest assured.
연거푸 흘러내리는 붉은 땀
Repeatedly flowing down, red beads of sweat
흉진 곳에서 새 잎이 돋는다
New leaves sprout in the scarred places
여기 넘어진 채로 우리 함께 엉겨 쉬면 어떠리
Here where we fell, why don't we lay and rest entangled together
깊은 밤 깊은 잠 깊은 밤
Deep night, deep sleep, deep night
그래 언제고 일어서서 다시 가야 할 때 오겠지
Yes, at some time we must rise and go again
하지만 지금은 아닐 뿐
Only now the moment has not come
나를 잠들게 해줘
Make it so I can sleep
눈꺼풀 위로 깊은 잠이 마치 범람하듯 넘친다
Deep sleep washing over my eyes
잊는다 잊힌다 잊는다
Forget, make me forget, forget
잠든다 꿈조차 없는- 잠-
Sleep, without even a dream...sleep

Bugs 님이 등록해 주신 가사입니다.

https://music.bugs.co.kr/track/6132661?wl_ref=list_tr_08_chart


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDPsTaqH3PM&list=RDFDPsTaqH3PM&start_radio=1

Farewell Song 赠别、渭城曲、阳关三叠

陽關三疊 - 郭淑珍 Guo Shuzhen - Yang Guan Triassic From the notes of the youtube post above:

Yang Guan Triassic is one of China's most famous Guqin (string instrument) songs. The song's origins go back to 1491. It is based on a 4 line seven character quatrain "Send Yuan Er Shi Anxi."送元二使安西 (Seeing Yuaner off on a Mission to Anxi) written by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei王維(701-761) Wang Wei, from Taiyuan in Shanxi, was a well-known poet, painter, and musician of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). He wrote over 400 poems. The poems of the frontier fortress and the seclusion poems of the mountains are very popular with people all over the world.

Also an English translation of the original Wang Wei poem, credited to John Thompson at http://www.silkqin.com/ and to Jin Qiuyu 金秋雨 :

The morning rain at Weicheng dampens the light dust,
At the inn, the willows look lush and green once again.
I urge you, dear sir, to finish one more cup of wine, for
Going west through Yangguan there will be no old friends.

Recommend reading the entire notes at the youtube post.

The video itself presents calligraphy of the original poem, artwork portraying scenes from the poem and more contemporary song derived from it. (Also the Mandarin lyrics of the song are in the notes). Likeness of Wang Wei are presented as well. Beautifully and thoughtfully put together.

Weicheng was near Xi'an, the capital of the Tang Empire. Anxi was deep inside Xinjiang, a Tang Dynasty post there at the time. Probably a long hard trip in the 8th Century. I read one explanation that said back then, one wouldn't expect to see a friend again, who leaves on this trip.

Below is a link to another blog which put together a translation or the original Wang Wei poem to English with pinyin which is quite helpful:

王維 送元二使安西 translation: Seeing Off Yuan Er on His Mission to Anxi, by Wang Wei

Wikipedia has an interesting entry on Wang Wei:

Wang Wei

There are a number of Stephen Owen translations of other Wang Wei poems in the Wikipedia article that are wonderful.

It's not suprising that Wang Wei was a Chan Buddhist.