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2019.05.08 08:37 GMT+8

Different approaches to denuclearization put DPRK and the U.S. apart

World Insight with Tian Wei

On May 4, multiple missiles had been launched from the DPRK into the East Sea. The launch happened amid stalled negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington. Last year, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un pledged to stop testing nuclear bombs and long-range ballistic missiles.

But the U.S. President insists the two sides will reach an agreement. On social media, President Trump played down the test, saying "I believe that Kim Jong Un fully realizes the great economic potential of North Korea (DPRK). And will do nothing to interfere or end it." Do the two sides have huge differences in terms of the ultimate goals? What should the DPRK and Washington be able to respond to the latest increasing tension? CGTN Senior Correspondent Tian Wei talked with a group of panelists.

Senior research fellow at China Institute of International Studies Yang Xiyu said both of them want full denuclearization, but the difference lies in the approach. "For the U.S., denuclearization first, verification second, dismantlement third. For the DPRK, freeze first. Reducing capability, second and dismantlement, third," he said. 

As the U.S. is running into a political season, resolving the DPRK issue could be a major political capital for President Trump. And also for the DPRK, poverty and other issues continue to influence stability in the governance.

Jim Walsh, a senior research associate of the Security Studies Program at MIT, also agrees that both sides have different approaches. According to him, the U.S. emphasizes the economic benefits for the DPRK, saying they will be "rich, fat and happy." However, there is no security guarantee. DPRK will be vulnerable left with no weapons.  

When it comes to the response to the recent increasing tension for both countries, research analyst at Stimson Center Jenny Town said the goal of diplomacy is to be able to talk about the hard issues and reduce tensions.

"As long as we (the U.S.) continue this all-or-nothing approach, we are not going to getting very far. The DPRK will never go back to the table. It means we have to accept a different approach to it,"  she said.

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