Deadlock on nuclear talks
By Tong Kim
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In recent weeks, U.S.-North Korea talks appeared to have hit a snag, with no further agreement on details to carry out North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's commitment to denuclearization. This was not a surprise to many critics of U.S. President Donald Trump's policy but a puzzling set back to its proponents, including the Seoul government.
Yet, there are some indications for moving in the right direction: that is to take steps to building trust required for the next phase of the denuclearization process. Reports of the repatriation of the remains of those Americans who were killed during the Korean War signal a positive step forward, as it was one of the four points of agreement at the Singapore summit, albeit it was not directly related to denuclearization.
An unannounced undertaking of the dismantlement of a missile engine test site that Kim Jong-un promised Trump in June is also seen as a positive step despite a dispute over its utility to the North's missile program or over the motive of the dismantlement at the absence of progress in talks.
The North has so far made the following concessions: voluntary suspension of nuclear and missile tests; destruction of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, with reporters present; the release of three American hostages; Kim Jong-un's pledge to denuclearization, and playing down the anti-American rhetoric.
In return, the North has gained a pledge from the U.S. to seek a peaceful resolution of its nuclear issue, not through “fire and fury,” and the U.S. suspension of joint military exercises with South Korea. Yet, the North believes its voluntary actions have not been compensated enough. It complains that the U.S. was not moving on declaring an end to the Korean War as a first step toward “a permanent peace regime” and as an initial measure of security guarantees for their regime.
Perhaps the most reliable source of optimism comes from President Trump's repeated trust in the North Korean leader. Trump said he believes that Kim will not let his people down by betraying his decision to denuclearize in exchange for a better future for North Korea. There are ample signs that Kim wants to improve the livelihood of his people.
If Trump does not listen to his advisers, as it is known to be the case, the North's focus on the unconventional American president by stressing their faith in him and dismissing the views of his advisers is not an inappropriate tactic. The art of flattery seems to have its own role to play in dealing with the Trump administration, in which no member of his staff stands up against the president.
Trump dismisses criticisms against him as fake news. He also tweets his own fake news by making unverified claims ― such as North Korea is no longer a threat to the U.S., or North Korea has undertaken the denuclearization process. The truth is there is no evidence that the North has suspended or slowed down the operation of nuclear and missile production facilities.
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo admitted that the North is continuing to produce fissile materials. However, Pompeo dismissed a Democratic senator's claim that the Trump administration was being “taken for a ride” by North Korea. It appears that Trump makes a decision and the job of his advisers, including the secretary of state, is to defend it regardless of their personal or professional views.
Pompeo also told the Senate panel, “I am incredibly hopeful” that Kim Jong-un will fulfill the commitment he made. Pompeo believes the sanctions are a useful pressure tool for denuclearization. The sanctions will remain in place “until such time as denuclearization as we define it is complete.” He reconfirmed that the North Koreans understand the U.S. definition of denuclearization.
It should not be a surprise if Kim Jong-un, as well as President Moon Jae-in, are expecting Trump to accept the joint proposal of the North and the South as agreed in the Panmunjeom Declaration and call for a trilateral summit as early as the U.N. General Assembly in September.
Granting a declaration to end the state of war in Korea does not automatically lead to the inactivation of the United Nations Command, an official party to the Korean Armistice Agreement, which should be replaced by a peace agreement or treaty as part of a peace regime, contingent upon progress on denuclearization.
If the price for peace is time, take time for it. Trump seems prepared for it, while his policy is still holding hope for peace.
Tong Kim (tong.kim8@yahoo.com) is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Corean-American Studies.