Global Geopolitical Series: Progress continues in Korean Peninsula despite North’s tough rhetoric at UNGA

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), North Korean envoy to the UN Ri Yong-ho, who left New York yesterday after a seven-day stay during the ongoing UNGA, talked tough on the ongoing North Korean denuclearization efforts. He cleared to the representatives of the world that North Korean commitment to denuclearization remains firm but the country will not be disarming first without seeing any trust-building measures taken up by the United States. Many analysts and critics have described the tough stance as a blow to the U.S. President, who has promised to keep sanctions in place unless North Korea denuclearizes first. In addition to that, the United States has also refused Pyongyang’s offer to formally end the Korean was of 1950-53 before meaningful steps towards denuclearization.

However, despite the harsh rhetoric, the progress continues in the Korean Peninsula. According to the latest reports,

• Pyongyang and Seoul have decided to celebrate together to mark the anniversary of the second Seoul-Pyongyang summit that took place back in 2007.
• South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon earlier this week called on the international community to support the ongoing peace efforts on Korea’s national foundation day.
• At the UNGA, North Korea’s UN envoy had positive talks with his counterparts from Japan and the United States.
• The United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo would be visiting North Korea to meet North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong-Un on the coming Sunday. This is of high importance as his previous trip was abruptly canceled by the President citing a clear lack of progress towards denuclearization.

The progress made so far towards a lasting peace in the Peninsula has been very encouraging and we expect a further progress along the same path. However, a major step towards denuclearization is unlikely before the second summit between Donald Trump and chairman Kim Jong-Un.