The Korean quandary

XXX: Kim and pictured in this undated picture provided by KCNA in Pyongyang on March 16, 2017. KCNA/via Reuters/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS.

TRY as we might, it’s impossible to avoid Korea in the news. In the last couple of days, we have seen Malaysians stranded in North Korea return home safely while South Korea’s former President Park Geun-hye has just been arrested on corruption charges.

Questions might be asked about the value of diplomacy. There is speculation about the price Malaysia paid to free our innocent civilians there. Looking at the happy faces of the nine Malaysians who returned home, who can say it’s not worth it? Would we want them to continue to be held hostage by an unpredictable regime?