On Thursday, I talked about the right key that is needed to solve the Korean nuclear issue. What I was trying to say is that it will take willingness and sincerity from the two key parties involved in the deadlock, namely the US and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), to restart the Six-Party Talks. But on a second thought, I think that it also needs courage and wisdom from the two parties to achieve the goal of realizing the denuclearization on the peninsula.

Now, everybody agrees that a political solution, rather than a military one, is in the interest of the countries concerned, because a military solution would cause heavy human and material losses to the fighting sides.

But reaching a political settlement requires compromises from the parties concerned. It’s like doing business: Party A gives Party B something Party B asks for in exchange for something Party A wants. You can make use of your wisdom to strike a good deal, but you cannot expect to keep your money while taking away the other's goods. And of course, before any deal could be reached, someone has to make the initiative of starting the negotiation.

Needless to say it takes much courage to make a start, but when such a step is taken, the other party will be observing whether you are saying "take my hand" or "give me your hand".

(With a doctoral degree in communications from China University of Communications, the author has been working in the field of international journalism for 30 years. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the view of CGTN. )