16.03.2019
By Seo Jiyeong
Denuclearisation negotiations between North Korea and the US are in serious trouble. Yesterday (the 15th of March) we learnt that North Korea has revealed its “negotiation” card [ie threatening to end the discussions as a leverage tactic]. An official response from the US was also released.
Firstly, abiding by a stance aimed at preventing warfare, so the negotiations are becoming more and more complicated as there doesn’t seem to be any move [by the US] towards lowering the standard for denuclearisation. Let’s connect to Washington and examine the issue. Commenting on North Korean Vice-minister for Foreign Affairs Choi Seonhee’swords, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a moderate reaction.
So, should the negotiations be continued? Well, the sense is that the conversation should continue with North Korea. Secretary of State Pompeo initially shed some light on Vice-minister Choi’s words. He said talks have indicated the possibility of negotiations continuing; the Trump administration also indicated that it wanted to continue the conversation. In contrast, the US was firm around the possibility of North Korea restarting nuclear tests, reminding Pyeongyang that [North Korean leader] Gim Eunjeong had promised that tests would be delayed. As Pompeo said: “I can just repeat that in Hanoi Mr Gim promised President Trump that he would not resume nuclear missile tests directly, several times.”
So with North Korea and the US both open to the possibility of negotiations, but not having softened their positions at all, when will the dialogue be resumed? That’s the hardest thing to predict. Meanwhile, the [South] Korean government’s role is receiving attention, but its ability to take part in activities is limited due to the framework of international sanctions.
Data provided by North Korea specialist 38 North analysing satellite images showed that no special activity had been found near the Yeongbyeon or Punggyeri nuclear sites.