What Kim "Got"

Simply amazing. You'd think that the safe return of two jailed Americans from North Korea would be the larger point in the last two days. I'm all for analyzing the situation, but at the end of the day, WE GOT OUR PEOPLE BACK.

Still, the WSJ has this to say:

In return, Mr. Kim scored two propaganda victories -- a chance to show North Koreans that he cuts a big figure by dining and getting his picture taken with Mr. Clinton, and a chance to show the world that he's not such a bad guy by freeing two reporters who didn't deserve their sentence of 12 years of hard labor.

Externally, the event allowed North Korea to provide a counterpoint to months of belligerence in the form of weapons tests, which other nations penalized with new economic sanctions against the country.

Meanwhile, North Korea's biggest newspaper, Rodong Shinmun, covered its front page Wednesday with five large pictures of Mr. Kim and Mr. Clinton. A small article accompanying the pictures said the pair discussed issues of common concern between the two countries. A small article on the third page described Mr. Kim's decision to free the two reporters.

North Korean officials "convey the impression of one of the [world's] most senior statesmen paying tribute to Kim Jong Il without mentioning he came for the sake of the two reporters," said a person familiar with the patterns of the nation's media.

The meeting -- and the photos of a smiling, standing Mr. Kim -- could also help address concerns about his health abroad, as well as address any potential doubts at home. Analysts noted North Korea's belligerence in recent months followed reports that Mr. Kim suffered a stroke a year ago, raising questions about a leadership vacuum.