While the DPRK dominated the Obama-Park meeting, the ROK has avidly sought a bigger global role both in politics and culture - as witnessed by the phenomenal success of superstar Psy.

Obama made a ready reference to Psy, joking that his daughters had taught him the now world-famous Gangnam Style moves.

In a sea change from anti-US sentiment in the ROK a decade ago, Park invited US veterans to a gala dinner at the National Portrait Gallery to mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War.

At the museum, she met US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel who, according to a spokesman, assured her that "the full range of alliance capabilities" remained ready to respond to the DPRK.

AFP

(China Daily 05/09/2013 page11)