During the summit between US President Donald Trump and the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, discussions on the security and development of the Korean peninsula were held. From China’s point of view, what’s the ideal long-term strategy for the Korean peninsula? Zhu Chenghu, Professor of China National Defense University of the PLA, discussed the critical matter with Robert Lawrence Kuhn.

A satellite photo of the Punggye-Ri nuclear test site in the DPRK on May 14, 2018./ VCG Photo

“I think for the Korean peninsula, the most important objective is a nuclear-free peninsula. It is very important, not only for this part of the world, but also for the whole world. Second, it is good to maintain the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Third, I think it will facilitate the corporations between countries in this region. And I believe the United States can also achieve its own interest — and for China of course, we welcome this sort of action. And I believe that this time, from the United States, we should see this point that Kim Jong-un is not now the Kim Jong-un in the first years of his office. Because now that he has already consolidated his position in his party, he’s keen to open to the outside, he’s keen to develop its economy. For that purpose, I think he needs constructive relations with China, with the ROK [South Korea], with the United States, and with Japan. So, if the security of the DPRK can’t be secured, I believe that he is really willing to give up the new goal of economic development and put up the development of the intercontinental ballistic missiles.”