[imText1]Washington D.C. — In light of the Six Party talks in Beijing and the Inter-Korea Summit Talks, which concluded with a peace declaration, the DailyNK conducted an interview with Victor Cha. a D.K. Song Korea-Foundation Chair in the Department of Government and at the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He has worked for two years as a Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, the White House.
– North Korea failed to report all items related to its nuclear programs such as the capacity of triggering devices, the amount of plutonium used in the manufacturing of nuclear weapons, and the quantity of weapons in possession at the Six Party Talks, thereby failing to meet the US’ initial goal of complete reporting. Is your prediction that North Korea’s nuclear programs can be completely neutralized incorrect?
No, I do not think it is a wrong prediction. The declaration of the talk itself will be a negotiated contract. The U.S. will definitely try to reach to the implementation stage. North Korea has entered the declaration and disablement phase. There is no doubt that North Korea does not want to give up its nuclear weapons; the Six Party talks just created a diplomatic framework where North Korea forced to choose the path that will benefit them and that will be the least costly down the road.
– The possibility of North Korea reporting nuclear weapons may be more likely in the nuclear dismantlement phase. If that is the case, the Six Party participants can only confirm North Korea’s intent for denuclearization in the dismantlement phase. Can North Korea’s position of failing to report all of its programs be seen as its inability to make a decision regarding nuclear dismantlement? Is the North starting a new game by unfolding a performance of delay?
If this diplomatic game fails, I don’t really see another diplomatic round in the future. This [the Bush administration] is a tough administration negotiating in regards to nuclear weapons; if North Korea side cannot respond with commitment…
– Achieving a complete resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue within the term of the Bush administration has been very difficult. To what extent does President Bush consider North Korea’s denuclearization a realistic goal?
The administration will not negotiate agreements that will go beyond this term. I do not know to what extent President Bush considers denuclearization a realistic goal, but if the goals are not reached, it is not our [US’] fault.
– President Bush’s North Korea nuclear policy is one that requires complete dismantlement with the possibility of inspections. This is the Bush administration’s consistent goal; but the fact is, there has been a huge change in the method of an approach, using the February 13th agreement as an opportunity. What do you think of the belatedness of the change in approach or of criticisms of a potential failure in results due to the lack of consistency?
The objective and the diplomacy of the Bush administration have not changed. In the 2nd and 3rd round of the Six Party Talks, we made diplomatic initiatives that the North did not respond to. However, we have been pulling the negotiation thread much harder because nuclear agreements don’t come through side meetings. Now, North Korea is more engaged as a part of the Six Party Talks. They may also be feeling a lot of pressure from China and the UN Security Council. The combination of these has led to where we are.
– The Inter-Korea Summit Talks took place in Pyongyang. A declaration of peace was made at the talks. What kind of an effect will the declaration have on the North Korea nuclear issue?
Economic cooperation will be used as a reward for North Korea’s progress in the Six Party Talks as long as the North coordinates and implements denuclearization according to the terms of the talks.
– Recently, speculation of a nuclear deal between North Korea and Syria was reported through the media, but specific evidence has not been provided yet. Do you think there is substance to the North Korea-Syria nuclear connection? Or do you see this as a “story” fabricated by North Korean hard-liners who are dissatisfied with current negotiation plans?
There has been cooperation between the two countries, but the media has blown this out of proportion, as no specific evidence has been presented yet.
– As a staff member of the Bush administration in charge of issues related to North Korea’s nuclear weapons, what are some differences in your views regarding North Korea while leading negotiations with the North and regarding the agreements that were made?
As an appointee, my own views do not matter in terms of policy. It is the President’s goals that are implemented. I have never advocated military force, however. Whether you are a hawk or a dove, you need to use some form of engagement. There have been skepticism about whether or not North Korea is serious. We have to test the North.
