to repay part of their debt. the north koreans owed $10 million but they were only willing and able to pay $500,000 of that. oh, and did the czechs mind if the north koreans paid them in ginseng? yes, the asian root, the stuff you drink in tea or take a tablet, traditionally thought to have healing properties and to cure sexual dysfunction. the north koreans wanted to settle a $10 million check by giving the czechs $500,000 worth of the stuff. that is about 20 tons of ginseng. and the czechs only use about a ton and a half every year. so they said no deal. it's a funny story, but as with all things north korean, there is a more serious and sad side. the nation is a complete economic failure. it cannot even feed its own people. the reason north korea wanted to settle up in ginseng seems quite