Pyongyang Joint Declaration a challenge despite raising hopes

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea signed the Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018 at an inter-Korean summit on Sept 19, which covers comprehensive inter-Korean cooperation and further denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The joint declaration marks a step forward in inter-Korean relations that will create opportunities and challenges for Pyongyang and Seoul, as well as Washington to different degrees.

The Pyongyang Joint Declaration is the diplomatic outcome of the DPRK’s denuclearization efforts and pursuit of peace. In the declaration, Pyongyang has agreed to dismantle the missile engine test site and launching platform in Dongchang-ri in the presence of experts from other countries.

If Washington acts in the line with the US-DPRK joint statement of June 12, the DPRK will also shut down the Yongbyon nuclear facility. By allowing experts to observe the dismantling process, Pyongyang has appropriately responded to Washington’s criticism that the DPRK has not taken enough denuclearization measures.

But to make the DPRK’s efforts successful, the US has to take substantial corresponding measures in line with the Panmunjom Declaration of April 27 and the US-DPRK joint statement.

Even though the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a long and complicated process, the Pyongyang declaration has further eased the tensions in Northeast Asia ...