Two Koreas bid for peace
SEOUL: North and South Korea agreed yesterday to pursue the “complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula” and work towards declaring an official end to the 1950s war.
The summit of Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in was the first between the leaders of North and South Korea in more than a decade. Here are analysts’ reactions to the summit, held at Panmunjom in the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone dividing the two countries.
Takashi Kawakami, professor of international politics, Takushoku University, Tokyo: “The biggest concern is withdrawing US troops. In the joint declaration, they used the word “Korean peninsula” about denuclearisation, which indicates they’re probably referring to withdrawing the US troops in South Korea.
“How will Trump respond to this? If South Korea should say something about how the US-South Korean alliance is un-needed, since Trump has previously criticised them as a ‘free rider’ there’s the possibility he could withdraw them.
“If this happens, Japan would become the front line. Japan’s security risks would increase. The Chinese navy would probably come into the Sea of Japan, as would the Chinese air force, and this would be unbearable for Japan’s Self-Defence Forces.”
Kim Young-hee, head of North Korean economy department at Korea Development Bank: “Everything will not be resolved in the blink of eye. Denuclearisation needs to happen in phases, which could lead to easing sanctions, then to resuming economic co-operation projects. Kim… declared denuclearisation, and promised to halt nuclear tests. That tells he wants the US to guarantee the safety of his regime.”
Kim Dong-yub, professor, Kyungnam University’s Institute of Far Eastern studies: “Kim Jong-un wants to come across as a reliable leader, and his efforts look certain to have achieved meaningful progress. Kim is at least taking steps to achieve a nuclear-free peninsula, which is warming up the mood, then making sure military activities disappear and show willingness to denuclearise.”
Yoo Ho-yeol, professor of North Korean studies, Korea University In Seoul: “Kim and Moon pledging complete denuclearisation of Korea as a common goal implies that Seoul has its homework to do. It means North Korea is demanding US forces leave and suspend all military drills. Not doing those two things could justify North Korea’s nuclear pursuits. The two leaders agreed on phased disarmament, which is related.
“Kim didn’t outright pledge to denuclearise, but he could do this when he meets Trump, because there is pressure for Kim to give something bigger during his summit with Trump.” – Reuters/African News Agency (ANA)