NK, US willing to resume dialogue for denuclearization

By Lee Min-hyung

There is a big gap between the United States and North Korea in their approach to talks on the North's denuclearization, but both have expressed a willingness to narrow their lingering differences.

The failure of the recent Washington-Pyongyang summit was due to these differences on the method for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The U.S. wants the North to sign a one-shot “big deal” to speed up the progress of complete nuclear disarmament of the regime. But the North is clinging to its “step-by-step” process, calling for the U.S. to take reciprocal measures in exchange for partial denuclearization moves.

Both sides are showing no signs of making concessions on these different approaches, but have expressed their determination to hold more talks to resolve the issue.

On Tuesday, the North's propaganda website Uriminzokkiri quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as saying he would continue to have “constructive” dialogue with the U.S. to resolve issues discussed during the summit with President Donald Trump in Hanoi last month.

“Our unwavering position is to establish a peaceful environment on the Korean Peninsula, and move one step closer to denuclearization here,” it said. “The leader said he would continue to closely discuss summit issues with the U.S. and hold constructive talks.”

But it remains to be seen how the two countries can narrow their gap on the denuclearization process.

The Tongil Sinbo, the regime's propaganda weekly, said the recent offer to dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear facility was currently the most realistic step toward nuclear disarmament.

“The dismantling of the facility is the biggest measure for denuclearization in accordance with the step-by-step approach for the two countries,” it said.

The “U.S. authorities” should not be swayed by “shameless arguments” from opposition groups in the political circle, and take appropriate steps to “establish a new history in relations between the two countries and live up to expectations from the people who want global peace and safety,” the weekly said.

The rhetoric shows that Washington and Pyongyang are still poles apart in their views on denuclearization.

On Monday, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun made it clear that Washington will not agree to phased steps.

“We are not going to do denuclearization incrementally,” he said. President Trump has been clear on that decision, and it is a position around which the U.S. government has complete unity, Biegun added.

“Our goal or objective is the final fully verified denuclearization of North Korea.”

Despite this firm statement, Biegun also underlined that Washington would keep in touch with Pyongyang to seek progress in their talks.

“We're prepared to continue trying,” he said. “The door's open to diplomacy. We want a very different future for the U.S. and North Korea on the peninsula.”

He went on to say that Trump is 100 percent supportive of Washington remaining engaged diplomatically, to try to achieve that goal.

“The gap is still just a little bit too large for us to get there today.”

Toward that end, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson said Washington was leaving open the possibility of a third summit between Trump and Kim sometime in the near future.