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Fri, May 25, 2018 | 22:05

Opinion > Columnists > Tong Kim >

What's after de-escalation?

Although tensions seem to have eased in Korea compared to two weeks ago, Pyongyang has kept up with its usual condemning of the annual U.S.-ROK joint military exercises that will continue until the end of August. Pyongyang continues to demonstrate an advancing missile program, as shown by Kim Jong-un’s Aug. 23 “field guidance” at the Chemical Institute of the Academy of Science, instructing his scientists “to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips.” On Aug. 14, Kim effectively suspended the spiraling escalation of tensions that put nerves on edge, fearing the worst-ca...

Tong Kim | 2017-08-27 17:48

Rhetoric won't trigger war

Belligerent rhetoric from Pyongyang and Washington has peaked to a dangerous state of psychological warfare, not to the breaking point of war. Reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning of “fire and fury,” North Korea announced its plan to launch four Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missiles by mid-August toward waters near Guam where B-1B bombers are based. Pyongyang’s plan, albeit subject to final approval by its leader Kim Jong-un, was unusually specific in terms of the type and number of missiles to be fired, and their timing, flight trajectory and target points. The plan ...

Tong Kim | 2017-08-13 17:26

Tough talk on N. Korea

North Korea defied an outsider’s prediction again. It did not test-launch another ballistic missile on July 27, marking the 64th anniversary of the Korean armistice, on the contrary to the widely reported warnings that it would according to officials in Washington and Seoul.

Tong Kim | 2017-07-30 17:26

Dream and reality on N. Korea

“It cuts to the heart that neither do we have power in reality to resolve the issue of the Korean Peninsula that is most urgent to us, nor are we able to induce an agreement on the issue,” President Moon Jae-in said at a recent Cabinet meeting. His assessment reflects the cold reality that South Korea faces today. Moon was expressing his frustrations with the intractability of dealing with the North Korean nuclear/missile threat, following a series of discussions with leaders of world powers, including the U.S., China, and Russia, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg.

Tong Kim | 2017-07-16 16:26

Moon's successful visit to U.S.

President Moon Jae-in’s first visit to Washington has turned out as an impressive success, considering some prior concerns that it might not have gone well because of differences with President Trump with regard to North Korea, THAAD deployment and trade. Through “tremendous discussions” over a formal dinner at the White House and more talks in a one-on-one plus an expanded meeting, the Korean President built “trust and friendship” with President Donald Trump, reconfirmed the ROK-U.S. alliance, and agreed to work together to eliminate the threats of North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabili...

Tong Kim | 2017-07-02 18:00

Trump urged to send envoy to North Korea

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A group of six high-profile American experts recommended in a letter to President Donald Trump on June 28 that he send a high-level presidential envoy to North Korea to jump-start talks in good faith and begin informal bilateral talks - with no preconditions - to explore options for more formal negotiations. The prominent group included former secretary of defense William Perry (the author of the Perry Report on North Korea in 1999), former secretary of state George Shultz (during the Reagan administration), Robert Gallucci (the negotiator of the Agreed Frameworks in 1994)...

Tong Kim | 2017-06-30 21:43

Moon, Trump have 1st meeting

Moon, Trump on N. Korea

President Moon’s meeting with President Trump in Washington at the end of this month will determine whether the United States and the Republic of Korea can work together more effectively to deal with North Korean nuclear and missile threats. As reported, their agenda will focus on the alliance, the North Korean issue, and bilateral trade issues. The two countries share a common interest in a strong alliance and a peaceful resolution of the North Korean threats. The alliance is for deterrence and defense against the North. However, Trump does not feel the trade relationship is fair to the U.S...

Tong Kim | 2017-06-18 17:36

Pyongyang's best option

In a video message to the opening of the Jeju Conference for Peace and Prosperity on June 1, President Moon Jae-in outlined his plan to lay a foundation for peace on the Korean peninsula during his term in office. He made it clear that his administration would “play a leading role for the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue, instead of relying on the roles of other countries.” “In cooperation with the relevant countries including the United States and China,” he said, “we will lead efforts to pressure and persuade North Korea to come to the table of dialogue and res...

Tong Kim | 2017-06-04 17:55

President Moon on right track

Less than two weeks in office, newly elected President Moon Jae-in has taken a series of positive actions for the good of the country, even though he assumed the presidency without a normal transition period. Elected with 41 percent of the votes cast, his popularity soared up to 80 percent among the people who watched his fast-paced good performance, his considerate rhetoric, and his non-authoritarian, people-friendly behavior. At the outset, he declared himself a president of all people, including those who did not vote for him, willing and eager to cooperate with opposition parties which c...

Tong Kim | 2017-05-21 17:24

New hope begins tomorrow

Tomorrow on May 9, the Republic of Korea elects a new president. Looking at the polls and the dynamics of a five-way race, the front-runner Moon Jae-in appears to have clinched the presidency, unless an incredible miracle takes place. Even if some other candidate is elected, South Korea will restore its legitimate right and opportunity to end the dangerous course of military conflict and to open a new path to peace, stability, and prosperity on the peninsula. Most voters want security and prosperity. They support the alliance with the United States for the shared interest of deterrence again...

Tong Kim | 2017-05-07 17:21

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