US-South Korea summit could be turning point for denuclearization talks
(Baonghean.vn) - According to analysts, the planned summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his US counterpart Donald Trump next week is considered a turning point for the US-North Korea nuclear negotiations, which are currently in a state of stagnation.
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| The leaders of the two Koreas and their wives on top of Mount Paektu. Photo: Getty |
It is expected that on September 25, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Moon will inform his counterpart Trump in detail about the recent inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will not attend this meeting.
The South Korean president said he would also discuss with his US counterpart the possibility of declaring a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War, something Pyongyang has always sought in exchange for denuclearization.
Washington has long insisted it would only declare an end to the Korean War after Pyongyang gave up its nuclear arsenal.
However, Mr. Moon has one thing that can convince Mr. Trump: a message from Mr. Kim Jong-un, which was not announced during the inter-Korean summit.
Through the South Korean president, Kim Jong-un may have listed a whole range of additional denuclearization measures he is willing to take if the US takes reciprocal action. Among the measures listed is the permanent destruction of North Korea's nuclear facility in Yongbyon.
“President Trump may find the North Korean leader’s message appealing and push for an end-of-war declaration, which could significantly change the trajectory of US-North Korea denuclearization talks,” said Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies.
Professor Yang predicted that North Korea could allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enter the country and monitor nuclear facilities.
Meanwhile, Professor Kim Hyun-wook of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy said there is a 50% chance that President Trump will proceed with declaring an end to the war.
Professor Kim pointed out that the US has increased nuclear sanctions against North Korea even after the country closed its main nuclear test site at Punggye-ri last May.
“The key to convincing President Trump was that Kim Jong-un would allow international inspectors to monitor the dismantling of the Yongbyon nuclear facility.”
Analysts say President Trump may ask North Korea to initiate denuclearization measures before the US midterm elections (November 6) to attract voters./.