The Koreas: No Wonder They're Divided

Early last week everything seemed set for a five-member North Korean delegation to cross the border and meet with a South Korean dissident organization to plan a historic pan-national rally for Aug. 15, the 45th anniversary of liberation from Japan. But when the five arrived at the border, they first refused to accept South Korea's choice of a hotel and then insisted that the dissidents rather than government representatives escort them at the meeting. At that Seoul balked. After two days of arguing, the North Koreans returned home.

The stubbornness on both sides cast doubt on whether another, more important meeting...