In its most recent attempt to alter the international diplomatic environment that currently surrounds it, on June 16th North Korea offered to enter into dialogue with the United States, even mentioning “Chosun Peninsula denuclearization.” However, experts in South Korea and elsewhere see this as a rather desperate step. Here, three key South Korean thinkers offer their views to Daily NK.
◆ Park Young Ho, senior researcher, Korea Institute for National Unification
“North Korea is currently coming under strong diplomatic pressure; Chinese pressure is particularly decisive. They just want to break through the difficult aspects of their diplomatic circumstances by entering a dialogue phase. Proposing talks with the United States after South Korea was not because talks with South Korea were cancelled, it was to block cooperation between China and South Korea and China and the United States. It’s an extension of past practice; turning to dialogue after creating a crisis.
North Korea has long said that denuclearization was Kim Il Sung’s dying wish, but Kim Jong Il continued to develop nuclear weapons and long-range ICBMs. Notably, North Korea’s version of denuclearization is ‘Chosun Peninsula denuclearization;’ in other words, they are saying that strategic nuclear weapons managed by USFK and the U.S. nuclear umbrella must be gotten rid of, and ultimately the U.S. Army itself must withdraw. Therefore, there is almost zero chance of the United States accepting the proposal for dialogue. They are emphasizing the prior implementation of international agreements, i.e. the September 19th Joint Statement.”
◆ Cho Bong Hyun, policy team director, Industrial Bank of Korea Economic Research Institute
“This time North Korea, which proposed dialogue with our side before the U.S.-China summit, has proposed dialogue to the United States before the South Korea-China summit. This is intended to shake the cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and China. In other words, it’s a chess move to weaken the pressure of sanctions and break out of their current isolation. In addition, North Korea, which is concerned about rising public discontent at home over economic problems, wants to create the conditions for dialogue, step out of international sanctions, and from there earn economic benefits.
North Korea mentioning ‘Chosun Peninsula denuclearization’ marks a recognition that if they don’t mention ‘denuclearization’ nobody is going to come to the negotiating table at all. But they don’t have any intention of discarding their nuclear weapons; it’s all for show.”
◆ Professor Yoo Ho Yeol, Korea University
“Proposing dialogue with the United States as the South Korea-China summit approaches is their traditional interference strategy to block cooperation between South Korea, the United States and China… They talked about Chosun Peninsula denuclearization, but there is no obvious change. The United States will find it almost impossible to accept the North Korean proposal until they have shown sincerity on denuclearization.”
