He also visited a cemetery for Chinese soldiers killed in the Korean War, when China supported its Communist allies in North Korea.

VOA: standard.2009.10.05

Mr. Clinton has called the visit "a big plus" for the prospects of reconciliation between the United States and Communist North Korea.

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"They'll just love us in Pyongang, " said McCain, joking about a potential book signing tour that would take him to the capital of communist North Korea.

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Although many South Koreans still reckon that the 37, 000 American troops stationed in their country are the best deterrent against the invasion that communist North Korea habitually threatens, the American presence has become controversial.

ECONOMIST: South Korea