US wary after DPRK says it seeks complete denuclearization

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Ahead of an inter-Korean summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), it appears that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula could be a real possibility.

ROK President Moon Jae-in stated on Thursday that the DPRK has expressed its commitment to a "complete denuclearization" of the peninsula, without any conditions.

Though some are optimistic, the US remains wary and has vowed to maintain "maximum pressure" on Pyongyang.

"I don't think denuclearization has different meanings for South (ROK) and North Korea (DPRK). The North is expressing a will for a complete denuclearization," Moon said.

"They have not attached any conditions that the US cannot accept, such as the withdrawal of American troops from South Korea (ROK). All they are talking about is the end of hostile policies against North Korea (DPRK), followed by a guarantee of security."

President Moon Jae-in (2nd from R) talks with his National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong (2nd from L) and National Intelligence Service chief Suh Hoon (R) in this photo from his office Cheong Wa Dae, March 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

However, the official, who did not want to be identified, said that while Kim was open to negotiating “denuclearization,” the term remained undefined and potentially deceptive.

DPRK has said over the years that it could consider giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States removed its troops from the ROK and withdrew its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from the ROK and Japan.

On Wednesday Trump reaffirmed the "unwavering" US commitment to maintain that umbrella.

In a joint statement after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump said the US commitment to defend Japan "through the full range of US military capabilities" was "unwavering."

They reiterated their commitment to the permanent denuclearization of the DPRK and the need for Pyongyang to abandon all of its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, while vowing to step up sanctions enforcement.

A photo taken on March 19, 2018 shows a soldier standing before "Peace Hall," the venue of an upcoming summit between ROK President Moon Jae-in and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, at the truce village of Panmunjom within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). /VCG Photo

Moon said he saw the possibility of a peace agreement, or even international aid for the DPRK's economy, if it denuclearizes.

But he also said the inter-Korean summit had "a lot of constraints," in that the two countries could not make progress separate from the DPRK-US summit, and could not reach an agreement that transcends international sanctions.

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Source(s): AFP