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Mon, October 22, 2018 | 14:21

Opinion > Columnists > Tong Kim >

Thorny road to denuclearization

In the past few days, there has been a significant development on the Korean Peninsula: an outcome of high-level inter-Korean talks on Jan. 9 that resulted in assuring the safety of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics to begin next month and also opened a fresh window of opportunity to reduce tension and hold possible talks on denuclearization.

Tong Kim | 2018-01-14 16:35

Korean Peninsula in 2018

The year 2017 was a year of turbulence and tension on the Korean Peninsula. Perhaps, the biggest blessing for all was that somehow war was avoided.

Tong Kim | 2017-12-31 17:12

Hope for peace on Korean Peninsula

In Beijing last Thursday, President Xi Jinping of China and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea agreed on four important principles: not to tolerate war on the Korean Peninsula, to support a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, to achieve denuclearization through dialogue and negotiations, and to improve inter-Korean relations towards the end of denuclearization.

Tong Kim | 2017-12-15 21:58

Unattractive options on N. Korea

Following last Wednesday's launch of the latest North Korean ICBM _ the “Hwasong-15 _ that soared to an altitude of 4,475 kilometers and flew 950 kilometers in 53 minutes, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared his country had realized “the cause of completing the state nuclear force (and) the cause of building a rocket power.”

Tong Kim | 2017-12-03 14:08

Compounding of N. Korea issue

In the wake of Trump’s Asia trip and following a two-month pause of North Korea’s kinetic provocations, the Korean peninsula appears to have been relieved from the risk of an imminent military conflict, although high tensions continue. A clear path to the resolution of the nuclear/missile issue is still missing. Trump’s trip was focused on the North Korean nuclear threat, U.S. trade imbalances, and on a new, broader U.S. Asia policy - for trade and security interests - for the Indo-Pacific region. Throughout his trip, Trump did well, by sticking to the scripts, away from his usual bombastic ...

Tong Kim | 2017-11-19 17:30

Mending ties between Seoul and Beijing

Perhaps the biggest diplomatic development in Asia in recent weeks was an agreement between South Korea and China, in which both countries said they will try to put their estranged relationship “back on a normal track.”

Tong Kim | 2017-11-05 19:12

Beyond sanctions on N. Korea

As President Trump will visit Asian capitals next month, including Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing, many analysts are busy figuring out what impact his trip may have on the prospect of a solution to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threat. Upfront, I do not see the likelihood of any dramatic change in the current course of a “pressure campaign” that is spearheaded by Washington, with the strong support of its allies and partners. There will be no big deal with China, no “Korea passing,” no agreement on a trilateral alliance that will include Japan, no clarification of military options and probably...

Tong Kim | 2017-10-22 17:41

Theory of two madmen

Everybody knows that Kim Jong-un will not negotiate away his nuclear-tipped missiles and is determined to complete the development of an operational nuclear force that can strike the United States. Donald Trump does not believe dialogue is the answer, especially not at this time. He is more inclined to a military solution. Nobody knows what will be a good solution or an exit strategy. On or around Oct. 10, the anniversary of the Korean Workers Party’s foundation, Pyongyang may hold another new ballistic missile test or launch a second ballistic missile from a submarine. Another nuclear test ...

Tong Kim | 2017-10-08 17:39

North Korea at United Nations

North Korea dominated the 72nd session of the U.N. General Assembly last week, but a peaceful solution South Korea is searching for was not in sight. The leaders of the U.S., Japan, and South Korea agreed to apply maximum pressure on North Korea, which is committed to complete its final phase of nuclear armament. Through a bilateral summit, the U.S. and South Korea agreed to strengthen their joint deterrent capability: The U.S. will expand deployment of its most advanced military assets to Korea and the region, and South Korea will acquire advanced equipment from the U.S.

Tong Kim | 2017-09-24 16:49

To defuse powder keg

Amid renewed tensions with North Korea, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Sept. 7 that the military option is still on the table, but it is not “inevitable.” He also warned that if the U.S. has to use force, “it would be a very sad day for North Korea.” “I would prefer not going the route of the military, but it’s something, certainly, that could happen.… Our military has never been stronger.” After his call to the Chinese president a day earlier, Trump said the military option was “not his first choice,” adding that “President Xi Jinping would like to do somet...

Tong Kim | 2017-09-10 17:23

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