US-NK relations may be returning to square one
Some negative developments are casting a dark cloud over expectations for a breakthrough in U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks next month.
Washington has hinted it may resume joint military exercises with Seoul after canceling Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's planned visit to Pyongyang. The cancellation reportedly came after a belligerent message from his counterpart Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party Central Committee. The North Korean negotiator reportedly threatened the U.S., saying the denuclearization talks were on the brink of falling apart.
During a Pentagon press briefing Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis hinted that Washington could restart the large-scale joint military exercises that were put on hold after the June 12 U.S.-North Korea summit in Singapore. "We have no plans at this time to suspend any more exercises," Mattis said.
The remark was followed by a tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump that also mentioned the joint exercises, which Pyongyang has viewed as a grave threat to its national security. The statement stressed the president can "instantly start the joint exercises again with South Korea, and Japan, if he so chooses. If he does, they will be far bigger than ever before." This kind of wording is sure to upset the North Koreans. After the June 12 summit in Singapore, South Korea and the U.S. announced the suspension of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian drills while U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks are underway.
President Moon Jae-in's role as a mediator between the U.S. and North Korea has become crucial once again. The rising tension between the U.S. and North Korea comes at a bad time for Moon, who is planning to hold a third summit with Kim next month. He is facing mounting criticism for actively seeking more inter-Korean cooperation despite little progress in North Korea's denuclearization. Washington has reiterated that sanctions will remain in place until Pyongyang takes clear steps for getting rid of its nuclear and missile development.
North Korea has been reluctant to follow up on the Singapore agreement to denuclearize while rushing to achieve a declaration to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War and relieve international sanctions. Trump has said his relationship with Kim remains strong, showing he still retains hope to further his communication with the North Korean leader despite the deadlock in negotiations. All parties concerned should avoid the U.S.-North Korea relations regressing to their state before the June 12 summit.
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