North Korea appeared very displeased with the new South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak, calling him a "political charlatan,” an "absent minded traitor" and a "U.S. sycophant" in a commentary in the communist party Rodong Sinmun newspaper carried by its KCNA news agency.

The tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul are very high and even though Mr. Lee only took office in late February, he has been warned to "be held fully accountable for the irrevocable catastrophic consequences" of his pro-U.S. policies.

The decision to link economic aid to the progress of the nuclear disarmament issue and human rights issues, started the negative comments and sustained pressure on the new elected president. At this point, everyone is waiting to see if any will back down, if any will step up or if things will be handled without any compromise.

North Korea has been receiving a great deal of support through the “Sunshine Policy,” including millions of dollars, food aid and help for the development of joint economic projects, receiving a great hit from the new presidents’ recent decisions. 

Even though it may seem like Mr. Lee might have it in for the North Koreans, apparently he simply wants them to fully appreciate the freedoms his people enjoy. According to The Wall Street Journal, he has said: "I love North Korean people . . . and I believe the North Korean people should get to a point where they can enjoy the minimum basic happiness of human beings."