Opportunities offered by latest North Korean stance should not be ignored
Overtones by Kim Jong-un appear certain to lead to a summit with his counterpart in the South, so Washington must encourage dialogue and not try to derail it
The fiery rhetoric, bluster and threats over North Korea have given way to measured tones and diplomacy. Landmark talks this week between its leader Kim Jong-un and officials from the South after the North’s participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics seem certain to lead to a summit with President Moon Jae-in next month. Pyongyang has even said it is willing to discuss denuclearising the Korean peninsula. Tensions have eased, but a lasting peace depends on the United States.
US President Donald Trump, who last August threatened “fire and fury” against Kim over his nuclear and missile provocations, has tempered his rhetoric as a result of the positive tone of the inter-Korean dialogue.
A South Korean envoy will convey Kim’s position, which is yet to be revealed, to Trump’s administration in Washington this week before visiting China and Russia. But, as yet, there is no indication that the US will soften its tough line towards Pyongyang, which hinges on a continued military presence, sanctions and a refusal to negotiate unless the North scraps its nuclear programme.
Proving a desire to keep up the pressure, the US Department of State on Wednesday increased the penalties after determining Pyongyang used the chemical warfare agent VX in the alleged assassination of Kim’s brother in Kuala Lumpur last year.