Situation on Korean Peninsula delicately balanced (2)

On its side the DPRK is trying to end its diplomatic isolation, but this does not mean it will accept any risk to its security in order to improve the international atmosphere.

The DPRK is clearly aware of the U.S. stance; if it concludes that dialogue is likely to be fruitless, or achieved at the expense of its own security, the DPRK will abandon dialogue and once again seek other means to protect its national interests.

Although there seems to be a current consensus in favor of denuclearization on the part of all interested parties, there are many obstacles to its successful implementation. Recently, both the DPRK and the U.S. have put forward conditions for dialogue on the subject.

The DPRK has asked the U.S. to refrain from any "nuclear threat, blackmail, or other forms of provocation including sanctions", while stressing the U.S. should not set preconditions for dialogue and contact.

The U.S. has insisted that dialogue must be "credible", and that the DPRK should take concrete steps towards abandoning its nuclear program. Unfortunately, this seems to take the debate back to square one, with one side demanding negotiations as a prerequisite to denuclearization, and the other demanding denuclearization as a prerequisite to negotiations.

Peace and stability on the Korean peninsula are of vital importance to all parties and the denuclearization of the peninsula must be a long-term goal. Currently, the situation on the peninsula is delicately balanced: tensions have eased a little and stakeholders have expressed a willingness to talk. If this opportunity is not seized, new obstacles to denuclearization may well present themselves.

It makes sense from the point of view of all interested parties to seize the opportunity to promote the resumption of the six-party talks, to strengthen mutual trust, and to improve relations in a multilateral framework. Successful denuclearization of the peninsula is a key step towards achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

We Recommend:
U.S. presidents and their pets	Highlights of 50th Int'l Paris Air Show	Best photos of week (June 17 - June 23)
Venezuelan Army School boat visits Cuba	Afghan refugees at UNHCR registration center	Beauty contest held in Budapest, Hungary
Angelina Jolie visits refugee camp	'Super moon' hangs in the sky over Rotterdam	LA' Chinatown sets up statue of Bruce Lee