[ISSUE TALK] Nothing to offer vs. insufficient progress: North Korea vs. U.S. tensions rise again

2018-08-31 0

연합훈련 입장 번복, 냉온 오가는 미국의 전략은? - 고명현 박사 대담

Joining us today we have Dr. Go Myong-hyun from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies to talk more on these latest developments. Thank you for taking the time to come in today.

Thanks for having me.

1 - More details of the letter sent by Pyongyang to Washington are coming out. Reuters, citing unnamed officials, said the tone of the letter basically said unless the U.S. has something to offer, Pompeo should not bother coming. This is quite a strong tone, is North Korea in a position where it can make such demands?

2 - Vox news has also published an exclusive the other day saying Trump promised Kim Jong-un that he would sign a declaration to formally end the Korean War, and the reason why North Korea has been so annoyed lately is because he seems to be reneging on that promise. How credible do you think this story is, and do you think that is one of the demands that North Korea was asking in that letter?

X - The report also mentioned that the travel ban to North Korea has been extended for another year. Travel bans are given is there is, quote, "imminent danger to the public health or physical safety of U.S. travelers in the country or area." Perhaps not surprising even though the Trump administration has been improving relations with the regime...


3 - Trump issued, what was called a 'Statement from the White House', that declared various things on North Korea and China. Among them, he said "there is no reason at this time to be spending large amounts of money on joint U.S.-South Korea war games. Now this perhaps goes a little against early comments by Mattis saying there are no plans yet to suspend future military exercises. What should we make of these two differing statements?


5 - In the Twitter statement, it also said, "President Donald J. Trump feels strongly that North Korea is under tremendous pressure from China because of our major trade disputes with the Chinese Government. At the same time, we also know that China is providing North Korea with...considerable aid, including money, fuel, fertilizer and various other commodities. This is not helpful " This is quite a specific list of charges. Probably fair?

6 - Meanwhile, while North Korea has not given a direct reaction to any of Washington's recent actions or statements, it has accused the U.S. of taking "hostile actions behind the curtain of dialogue" and called for further implementation of agreements made at their summit. North Korea is laying the blame on the U.S. but what card can it play next?