Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
Denuclearization roadmap in the works
FM expects detailed talks on Pompeo's NK visit
By Kim Bo-eun
Expectations are growing over progress in North Korea's denuclearization, possibly laying out a roadmap for a big deal being reached this month, the 1950-53 Korean War declared over in November, and the North Korean leader visiting Seoul in December.
The expectations come after the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday announced Secretary Mike Pompeo's scheduled visit to Pyongyang, Sunday, and stated confidence over follow-up denuclearization talks.
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in a media briefing, Thursday, said she “expects specific discussions to take place on denuclearization issues, with a second summit between North Korea and the U.S. in mind.”
Kang also said both South Korea and the U.S. have a “flexible mindset” on drawing up a roadmap while considering all possible corresponding measures the U.S. can take toward denuclearization. But the two countries appear to have agreed for the most part on declaring an end to the Korean War.
Kang in the briefing said, “the U.S. understanding of the intent of declaring an end to the Korean War has deepened.”
Dongguk University professor Koh Yu-hwan said, “North Korea has made it clear it wants the war to be ended and it seems the U.S. has agreed to a certain extent on the measure being taken.”
Pompeo's talks this time will determine the next steps, he said.
“It depends on to what extent denuclearization steps and corresponding measures will be discussed. Pompeo may address the agenda and date of the second summit between North Korea and the U.S. or could reach an agreement on initial denuclearization measures and ending the war,” he said.
This will set when the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump will take place, Koh said. The summit is forecasted to take place before or after the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 6.
The professor said a deal reached on denuclearization steps and ending the war this month, the war declared over in November and the North Korean leader visiting Seoul in December would be “the ideal scenario,” which he said was possible.
Kim's visit to Seoul was agreed upon in the third inter-Korean summit held in September, when President Moon Jae-in visited Pyongyang.
Shin Beom-chul, senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies said the outcome of Pompeo's talks this time will depend on whether North Korea is willing to accept inspections of its nuclear program.
“North Korea will at the least pledge to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear facilities and dismantle its intercontinental ballistic missiles in exchange for ending the Korean War,” he said.
“But it remains to be seen whether it will agree to accept inspections to the extent the U.S. is calling for _ which is for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct inspections.”
If it does, tremendous progress will be seen, Shin said.
Pompeo is set to come to Seoul after his meeting with the North Korean leader in Pyongyang the same day. He is set to meet with President Moon and hold a separate meeting with Minister Kang.