'US to turn away from NK denuclearization strategy'

By Yi Whan-woo

Park Kwan-yong

The United States is expected to move away from its conventional strategy to denuclearize North Korea, according to former National Assembly Speaker Park Kwan-yong, Tuesday.

He said that the U.S. will instead focus on nuclear non-proliferation of the military regime, which is reportedly planning to carry out its fourth nuclear test this year.

“There will be no way to denuclearize North Korea after all,” Park said during a seminar organized by the ruling Saenuri Party at the National Assembly in Seoul.

“It will be impossible for the U.S. to launch a military attack against nuclear-armed North Korea.

“China also will not want to see the North collapsing.

“Considering such circumstances, the U.S. will eventually engage in talks with Pyongyang, which the North has demanded for years,” he added.

Park, also a former presidential chief of staff, said North Korea will slowly rely on the U.S. economically if Washington makes investment in the impoverished regime and opens doors for it to the international community.

The U.S. has pursued a wide range of policies in response to the nuclear proliferation challenges posed by North Korea. Such policies have included military cooperation with U.S. allies in the region, economic sanctions and non-proliferation mechanisms, such as export controls.

Park, a former six-term lawmaker, served as the National Assembly speaker from July 2002 to May 2004.

He served as then-President Kim Young-sam’s chief of staff in 1993.