The solution to the North Korea problem is not in the hands of the US.

(Baonghean.vn)- With the US's push, the United Nations on September 11 agreed to restrict global trade with North Korea after the country's most powerful nuclear test to date. However, many analysts expressed skepticism about whether Washington and its allies can bring Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.

Former NATO commander General Wesley Clark said that conventional multilateral talks are not the answer to the current North Korean tensions. This means that the countries leading the international response to North Korea’s provocations, including the US, China and Russia, need to stay away from the negotiating table – at least publicly.

Instead, the world needs complex negotiations mediated by a third party, according to General Clark, and the key to the success of these negotiations is ensuring secrecy.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley voted in favor of new sanctions against North Korea by the UN Security Council. Photo: Getty

CNBC quoted General Clark as saying: “The problem here is that the more pressure the US wants to apply, the more pressure North Korea wants to respond with.” And both countries cannot engage in dialogue at the same time, because they are putting pressure on the other side. General Clark commented that at the current stage, expressing goodwill for dialogue will make countries “look weak”, making it harder for the other side to make concessions.

Moreover, General Clark stressed that the negotiations may be fundamentally ineffective in bringing about a solution to the crisis, as neither the US nor North Korea can offer what the other wants, as their goals seem to be at odds.

“North Korea wants the United States to leave the region and Pyongyang to deal with South Korea on its own through intimidation, pressure, or conflict if necessary,” General Clark said. “This goal, if realized, could threaten regional peace and security, and is exactly what the US-ROK alliance wants to avoid.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rejoices at the successful ICBM test launch. Photo: Reuters

The former NATO commander also said: “The US and North Korea can hold secret talks to resolve the crisis, and there needs to be someone behind the scenes… to coordinate to find a solution that meets the medium-term goals of both sides as well as provide a roadmap for the future. However, these negotiations need to be conducted secretly, quietly, without fanfare.”

According to General Clark, such a solution could be similar to a multi-year program framework, aiming at normalization, and involving a mediator other than a NATO member country such as Sweden or Finland./.

Lan Ha

(According to CNBC)