PEACE MEAL
‘The bottles kept coming’ over the more than four-hour diplomatic meal that spared no expense Nicola Smith
The bottles kept coming and the jokes flowed at the wine-soaked Pyongyang dinner on Monday evening that secured the biggest diplomatic breakthrough with North Korea in recent history. As they landed in the afternoon and marched in black suits across the tarmac in enemy territory, armed only with a secret letter from President Moon Jae-in, a team of South Korean envoys, led by National Security Chief Chung Eui Yong, had no idea what awaited.
They were pleasantly surprised by dinner diplomacy for 12, North Korean-style. In a banquet hall that spared no expense, a table centrepiece of majestic white horses sat upon a muted pink tablecloth and flamboyant flower displays. They were hosted by none other than the reclusive North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un himself, whose decision to allow them to become the first South Koreans ever to enter the party headquarters building gave an inkling that he meant business.
The presence of his smiling wife, Ri Sol Ju, dressed in an elegant pink satin suit that co-ordinated tastefully with the Cold War decor, and of his sister, Kim Yo Jong, a rising political star, helped create a sense that this was a state ready to bring a touch of normalcy to its international relations.
Kim was in a jovial mood, quipping lightheartedly about his image. Repeatedly derided by U.S. President Donald Trump as “Little Rocket Man,” the North Korean leader was “very aware” of his image, an official from the South’s presidential office said, adding that he reacted in a “relaxed” manner by joking about himself from time to time over North Korean hotpot, wine, liquor made of ginseng and Pyongyang soju.
“The bottles kept coming,” revealed a South Korean official with knowledge of the meeting. According to the “Noon in Korea” media site, the wine was French, possibly Michel Picard from Bourgogne. Eight bottles, flanked by tuxedoed waiters, stood positioned on a side table, ready to ease the conversation flow. Kim told his guests that President Moon could rest easy at night now as Pyongyang had decided not to carry out nuclear or missile tests while talks were ongoing.
“If working-level talks ever cease and hostility appears, (President Moon) and I can easily resolve it with a phone call,” Kim said, referring to an unprecedented hotline the two Koreas plan to install. According to officials from Seoul’s presidential “Blue House,” Kim was the first to tackle sensitive subjects, including the resumption of a joint military exercise between South Korea and the U.S., which was postponed to ensure a peaceful Winter Olympics.
Four hours, 12 minutes, and several courses later, the diners had thrashed out the makings of a major deal. Kim would meet Moon at an April summit in the demilitarized zone, and would be willing to engage with Trump at a historic meeting to discuss denuclearization. He would suspend his nuclear and missiles programs for the duration of the talks.
The South Korean visitors returned to the Kobangsan Guesthouse, boasting the most luxurious suites in Pyongyang, to communicate their success to Seoul, via a portable encrypted fax machine.