Expert views on how to rekindle N. Korea diplomacy one year after Singapore
- 5 years ago
So there have been plenty of positive developments since the Singapore summit... with North Korea ending its nuclear testing... and South Korea and the U.S. cutting down their joint military drills
But such positive atmosphere sizzled out somewhat after the Hanoi summit.
Our Lee Ji-won has more.
Since the Hanoi summit fallout, the U.S. has been actively indicating its willingness to resume talks with North Korea.
However, pundits have pointed out that Pyeongyang is choosing not to respond, neither to Seoul or Washington's request for talks. Thus, the regime seemingly has the key to break the current impasse.
"I would say that the breakthrough will come when Kim Jong-un truly decides to denuclearize and shows some concrete actions. If the North continues to remain firm in its stance to only give up a part of its nuclear program, talks won't resume any time soon, and even they do, they won't lead to any kind of agreement."
But other experts, more lenient with Pyeongyang's attitude do not agree.
"In negotiations, when the weaker side bends in, it's called "surrendering". But when the stronger side yields, it's called "embracing." So it'd be easier to solve this impasse if the U.S. shows more flexibility in regards to the North's request, which has been, since the Hanoi summit, a guarantee to its sovereign safety. In that sense, the U.S. could choose to set up a joint liaison office or even declare a Peace Treaty."
While some experts said that both sides need to yield, one expert was very skeptical about these talks resuming and coming down to a deal.
"After all the propaganda on dealing with the U.S., it would be difficult for Kim to yield first. Such a move could be interpreted by North Koreans as their "supreme leader" admitting to having made a mistake. That is unacceptable. But the same goes for U.S. President Trump. After all the criticism of the previous administrations over their North Korea policies, it'd be hard for him to reward the North without any concrete denuclearization measures."
The expert added that a vicious cycle of provocation, tension, negotiation, and cooling, has been on repeat for 30 years,... and that this time is actually no different from the past.
Although experts differed in their approach regarding breakthrough, many were hopeful that the Moon-Trump summit slated for the end of the month, could become a turning point.
"There won't be any new messages coming out from the summit. But U.S. President Trump will likely continue to relay his friendly messages towards Kim Jong-un and I think it'd be a good opportunity for him to come back to the negotiation table."
And while experts agree that there is not much that South Korea can do at this point, Professor Yang says Seoul should continue to play the role of mediator.
"Both sides are firm in their stances, and yielding in first could be thought as a show of weakness, which would further stop them from actually giving in first. Thus Seoul needs to maintain talks
But such positive atmosphere sizzled out somewhat after the Hanoi summit.
Our Lee Ji-won has more.
Since the Hanoi summit fallout, the U.S. has been actively indicating its willingness to resume talks with North Korea.
However, pundits have pointed out that Pyeongyang is choosing not to respond, neither to Seoul or Washington's request for talks. Thus, the regime seemingly has the key to break the current impasse.
"I would say that the breakthrough will come when Kim Jong-un truly decides to denuclearize and shows some concrete actions. If the North continues to remain firm in its stance to only give up a part of its nuclear program, talks won't resume any time soon, and even they do, they won't lead to any kind of agreement."
But other experts, more lenient with Pyeongyang's attitude do not agree.
"In negotiations, when the weaker side bends in, it's called "surrendering". But when the stronger side yields, it's called "embracing." So it'd be easier to solve this impasse if the U.S. shows more flexibility in regards to the North's request, which has been, since the Hanoi summit, a guarantee to its sovereign safety. In that sense, the U.S. could choose to set up a joint liaison office or even declare a Peace Treaty."
While some experts said that both sides need to yield, one expert was very skeptical about these talks resuming and coming down to a deal.
"After all the propaganda on dealing with the U.S., it would be difficult for Kim to yield first. Such a move could be interpreted by North Koreans as their "supreme leader" admitting to having made a mistake. That is unacceptable. But the same goes for U.S. President Trump. After all the criticism of the previous administrations over their North Korea policies, it'd be hard for him to reward the North without any concrete denuclearization measures."
The expert added that a vicious cycle of provocation, tension, negotiation, and cooling, has been on repeat for 30 years,... and that this time is actually no different from the past.
Although experts differed in their approach regarding breakthrough, many were hopeful that the Moon-Trump summit slated for the end of the month, could become a turning point.
"There won't be any new messages coming out from the summit. But U.S. President Trump will likely continue to relay his friendly messages towards Kim Jong-un and I think it'd be a good opportunity for him to come back to the negotiation table."
And while experts agree that there is not much that South Korea can do at this point, Professor Yang says Seoul should continue to play the role of mediator.
"Both sides are firm in their stances, and yielding in first could be thought as a show of weakness, which would further stop them from actually giving in first. Thus Seoul needs to maintain talks