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**Written by Doug Powers

On the night Kim Jong-il’s death was reported, I wrote half-jokingly (or maybe quarter-jokingly) that Jimmy Carter had volunteered to lead a US delegation to the funeral. According to the state-run media in North Korea, Carter has done the next best thing:

Former President Jimmy Carter has sent North Korea a message of condolence over the death of Kim Jong-il and wished “every success” to the man expected to take over as dictator, according to the communist country’s state-run news agency.

A dispatch from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Mr. Carter sent the message to Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il’s son and heir apparent.

“In the message Jimmy Carter extended condolences to Kim Jong Un and the Korean people over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il. He wished Kim Jong Un every success as he assumes his new responsibility of leadership, looking forward to another visit to [North Korea] in the future,” the KCNA dispatch read.

When contacted by The Washington Times for comment, the Carter Center provided an email contact to a spokeswoman who is out of the office until the New Year.

If the report is true it’s possible that Carter is buttering up Kim Jong-un so he doesn’t snub him on his next visit like Un’s father did.

In announcing to the North Korean people the former US president’s letter of condolence, NK state media made a mistake in translation and inadvertently reported that Jimmy had been named Kim Jong-un’s chief economic adviser. The reaction on the streets of Pyongyang was immediate:

(h/t Drudge)

**Written by Doug Powers

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