For more we have with us Dr. Go Myong-hyun from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.
1 - The UN has adopted a resolution condemning North Korea's human rights record for the 14th year in a row. It is hardly surprising, but what should be make of this news?
2 - There is a slight difference in this year's resolution though. It includes a section which welcomes the progress that has been made this year with the inter-Korean summits, especially pointing out the resumption of separated family reunions. It also notes the importance of dialogue in resolving the humanitarian situation. Does this point to a ray of hope?
3 - The North Korean ambassador to the UN has unsurprisingly reacted strongly to this. He said allegations of the human rights abuses were the "most despicable false words" fabricated by a few defectors. That in itself is also an incredible accusation... how long can North Korea keep this kind of stance, especially if it wants to have any plans about opening up in the future?
3a - Does this change anything really though? Does this extension of the UN's resolution on North Korea affect possible denuclearization talks and do North Korea's responses affect those either?
4 - Meanwhile inter-Korean exchanges are carrying on. South Korea's defense ministry confirmed that the eleven guard posts on either side of the border that they agreed to destroy have been completely dismantled and are unable to be used again for military purposes. But there are still some 200 guardposts remaining, although there is no exact number known to the public. Is this move simply symbolic or is this really a significant step in de-escalating tensions on the border?
5 - South Korean officials and inspectors also returned from their inspection of the North Korean railways, specifically this time the Donghae rail line on the east side of North Korea. It is the first time that a South Korean train has travelled on those tracks. How significant is that and what do you think they will have found?
6 - The groundbreaking ceremony is set to take place next week, on December 26th. But with sanctions in place, can it really be a groundbreaking? Will it just be ceremonial?
7 - Stephen Biegun and his team will be arriving in Seoul this week and the South Korea-U.S. working group on North Korea is set to hold its second meeting this week. Can we expect the rail and road project and the groundbreaking ceremony to be the main topic of discussion?
8 - The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano has recently said that his agency is getting a team of inspectors ready to be sent to North Korea to check on its denuclearization process. Do you think that is a sign there is some movement happening or do you think this is just a general statement the director-general is making?
