North Korea has made it clear that it’s not interested in joining the denuclearization plans being pushed by its neighbors, South Korea and Japan, along with the United States. This was a topic of discussion last Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, where the Foreign Ministers of these allied countries expressed their “serious concern” over Pyongyang’s latest movements. These concerns include the development of malicious cyber activities, growing military cooperation with Russia, and the progress of its missile and nuclear weapons programs.
An “obsolete and absurd” plan
The Foreign Ministers of South Korea, Japan, and the US – Cho Tae-yul, Taro Kono, and Marco Rubio, respectively – reaffirmed their commitment to the “complete denuclearization” of the North Korean regime. However, Pyongyang was quick to respond, labeling the denuclearization plan as “obsolete and absurd” this Tuesday. The North Korean Foreign Ministry, in a statement disseminated by the official North Korean agency KCNA, went further, promising an “overwhelming and decisive countermeasure” if the country is threatened. They also stated that they will systematically adhere to the new line of strengthening their nuclear force, with the aim of completely deterring the United States and its “vassal forces.” The statement concludes with a warning against any “absurd act that incites hostility and conflicts.”
Trump opens the door to dialogue
The relationship between the US and North Korea remains tense, but at the beginning of February, Donald Trump left the door open for a possible resumption of dialogue with the Kim Jong-un regime. During a press conference at the White House, alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump said, “We will have relations with North Korea and with Kim Jong-un. I got along very well with him… I think it’s a great advantage for everyone to get along with him.” Notably, Trump met with the North Korean leader up to three times during his first term, making history in 2019 by becoming the first US president to step into North Korea since 1953, the year the armistice ending the Korean War was signed. However, as the Associated Press recalls, this approach broke down after both delegations failed to reach an agreement on the relief of sanctions to Pyongyang in exchange for the reduction of its missile and nuclear weapons programs.