Shifting dynamics on Korean Peninsula

변화하는 한반도 정세, 北 의도와 美의 대응은? North Korea has taken the world by surprise with its major policy shift in unification and its re-characterization of South Korea. Now, the world’s most isolated state is reopening its borders to the outside world diversifying its diplomatic channels. As experts decode Pyongyang’s latest diplomatic moves, Washington analyzed that North Korea has no intention to return to denuclearization talks signaling a possible change in its North Korea policy. Shifting Dynamics on the Korean peninsula– that’s the topic of today’s Within the Frame. I’m Han Da-eun in Seoul, and with me here in the studio are Go Myong-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy, And Shreyas Reddy, Correspondent at NK News Seoul. (REDDY) Q1. The Korea-US combined military drill dubbed the “Freedom Shield” is nearing an end, but North Korea, unlike previous years, is yet to carry out missile provocations in protest. What are some possible reasons? (GO) Q2. A North Korean delegation, led by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Myong-ho visited Mongolia, making a rare foreign trip. This is the latest in a series of North Korean delegations’ recent visits to not only countries traditionally close to the North but also others such as Brazil and Kenya. Walk us through some of the key events of their visits, and why do you think Pyongyang is pushing for those rare trips now, at this particular time? (REDDY) Q3. Germany has recently made an inspection of its embassy in North Korea although it says no decision has been made on whether the embassy will be reopened. The UN, meanwhile, has also appointed a new UN resident coordinator for North Korea. And pundits point to South Korea’s forming of diplomatic ties with Cuba, as well as North Korea’s new, two-state approach, as the reasons behind Pyongyang’s increased diplomatic engagement with the west. Your thoughts? (REDDY) Q4. Do you think Pyongyang’s push to reopen diverse diplomatic channels also has to do with Trump’s possible comeback? Perhaps to present itself as a state completely separate from South Korea and re-engage in negotiations with Trump against such a backdrop? (GO) Q5. A U.S. intelligence office has released a report assessing North Korea threats, and it says that North Korea has no will to re-engage in denuclearization talks, and is seeking acceptance as a nuclear state by forging close ties with Russia. This, while Chief of the U.S. Forces Korea Paul LaCamera said that his strategy of deterring the North’s nuclear threat has shifted from preventing further development of nuclear weapons to preventing its use of nuclear weapons. Is Washington taking steps to recognize North Korea as a nuclear state? How would forging closer ties with Russia help North Korea be recognized as a nuclear state? (GO) Q6. Seoul’s foreign ministry plans to scale back a bureau that has been handling the North Korean nuclear issue for the past two decades amid prolonged nuclear deadlock. There will be some changes to the position of South Korea’s top nuclear envoy as well. What do you make of this? (REDDY) Q7. There’s been some changes in Washington as well. The title ‘deputy assistant secretary for East Asia’ given to Jung Pak was renamed as the ‘U.S. Senior Official for North Korea.’ What does this imply? (GO) Q8. The Yoon administration plans to draw up a new vision for unification with North Korea. The biggest change would be including “the philosophy of liberal democracy” in the reunification process that had been left out. What are your thoughts on this, and why does it come now? And that brings us to the end of this show. Thank you for watching, and be sure to tune in same time tomorrow to join our conversation. Good bye for now. #SouthKorea #NorthKorea #KimJongun #Diplomacy #Provocation #대한민국 #북한 #김정은 #안보 #도발 #외교 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook : 📣 Twitter : 📣 Homepage : 2024-03-13, 18:30 (KST)