North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has sent his regrets that he won't be attending the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow after all. And it's not just the Dear Leader who will be absent; Prime Minister Lee Hae Chan said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade "confirmed that nobody from the North would attend the anniversary." North Korea however is considering sending a handful of old soldiers who participated in the war to the anniversary. North Korea reportedly felt that the possibility of confronting U.S. President George W. Bush outweighed the benefits of showing comradely solidarity. Kim hinted at his no-show last month in Pyongyang when he visited the Russian Embassy to receive a medal marking the victory of World War II. Russia diplomatically commented only, "We understand North Korea's position."
| Still a little nervous after that last train trip, eh Kimmy? |