The Next Stage, of the Korean Peace Process

[soryang]

The Next Stage of the Korean Peace Process
Why Seoul Remains Optimistic After Hanoi
By Chung-in Moon

hen the U.S.–North Korean summit in Hanoi ended early, with no agreement whatsoever, many South Koreans were shocked. The disappointing conclusion shook the public’s faith in summit diplomacy and undermined Seoul’s efforts to foster parallel processes: for denuclearizing North Korea, building a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, and fostering inter-Korean economic cooperation. In short, South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s strategy for bettering relations among Seoul, Washington, and Pyongyang after the summit was shattered.

The summit may have failed, but Seoul observed several encouraging signs. There was neither acrimony nor mutual recrimination at the summit, nor a sudden escalation of military tension in its wake. Considering Pyongyang’s past behavior, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s restraint was unusual. U.S. President Donald Trump’s response was also encouraging. He did not tweet anything inflammatory about Pyongyang in the summit’s wake. Nor did he suggest new sanctions or the renewal of U.S.–South Korean joint military exercises...

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/north-korea/2019-03-14/next-stage-korean-peace-process

Moon Jong In as an unofficial advisor and spokesperson for the views of the Moon administration on relations with North Korean has to be optimistic about the failure of the Hanoi negotiations, because the fate of the Moon administration is intimately tied up with improving relations and economic ties with the North. I don't think he is ready to admit what a train wreck Trump, Bolton and Pompeo carried out. Choi Son Hui, Deputy Foreign Minister of North Korea said yesterday the talks were all but dead, the only thing absent from the pronouncement was the possibility suggested by the "good relationship" between the two leaders, which is little more than a folk tale at this point. I guess the optimists have to hang their hat somewhere. This is a devastating blow for South Korea. Attempts by South Korean diplomats to ingratiate themselves with Stephen Biegun's working group and it's all or nothing approach, have the appearance of unsightly groveling while the US follows what is essentially the "Libyan" regime change model with North Korea. Because of the US all or nothing approach with no sanctions relief or waivers to the bitter end, South Korea has next to nothing to offer in an approach as intermediary, while economic conditions worsen in North Korea.

Maybe Moon Jae In can pull a rabbit out of a hat?