Chance for peace: on US and North Korea’s relations

Chance for peace: on US and North Korea’s relations

Context:

The U.S. should grab North Korea’s offer of talks, and enable an environment of trust

What has happened?

• In a remarkable development that followed unprecedented meetings in Pyongyang, South Korea has said that North Korea has been willing to talk to US about giving up its nuclear weapons
• According to South Korea’s national security chief, North Korea has clarified that it had no reason to retain nuclear weapons if “the military threat to North Korea is resolved” and the country’s security can be guaranteed
• However, even days after South Korea issued a statement about the North’s willingness to discuss denuclearisation and normalisation of ties with the U.S., Pyongyang is yet to confirm it.
• It could be waiting for a more concrete response from the U.S.

Significance of the move:

• This is a marked shift from the aggressive foreign policy that North Korean leader, Kim has pursued since he succeeded his father in 2011.
• It also signals that his militaristic foreign policy is linked to perceptions about the survival of his regime, something for which he may be willing to reach a diplomatic settlement with the U.S.

Way ahead:

• The visit by a South Korean delegation to Pyongyang and the subsequent North Korean offer to hold talks with the U.S. mark the most serious attempt in a decade to reduce tensions in the Korean peninsula.
• The U.S. should grab North Korea’s offer of talks, and enable an environment of trust