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Hope Fading for Diplomatic Breakthrough to Denuclearize N. Korea

Christy Lee

   WASHINGTON - Despite Washington's efforts to maintain a dialog with
   Pyongyang, chances for a diplomatic breakthrough leading to the
   denuclearization of North Korea are fading away, said experts, as the
   two nations remain locked in their position.

   "At some point, there needs to be a determination that diplomacy is
   yielding diminishing returns," said Robert Manning, a senior fellow at
   the Atlantic Council.

   After almost two years of diplomacy, North Korea has been repeating an
   ultimatum more frequently that the United States has until the end of
   this year to present a new proposal for denuclearization. As the
   Pyongyang-imposed deadline approaches, the regime has increased threats
   to change Washington's stance.

   Washington has been demanding North Korea conduct full
   denuclearization. Pyongyang wants the U.S. to relax sanctions and cease
   regularly held joint military exercises with South Korea, which it
   claims as a threat against its regime, before denuclearizing. Those
   positions have remained unchanged for months, despite the publicly
   affectionate relationship between North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un Kim
   and U.S. President Donald Trump.

   Christopher Ford, assistant secretary of state for International
   Security and Nonproliferation, said on Monday that the U.S. is still
   seeking "the final and fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea.

   On Tuesday, Ri Thae Song, North Korea's vice minister of Foreign
   Affairs, released a statement, reminding the U.S. that "drawing nearer
   is the year-end time limit the DPRK set for the U.S." to change its
   position. The DPRK stands for North Korea's official English name, the
   Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

   Song said, "The U.S. is keen on earning time needed for it, talking
   about the 'sustained and substantial dialogue,'" but "far from acting
   in response to the measures taken by the DPRK first."

   He continued, "What is left to be done now is the U.S. option and it is
   entirely up to the U.S. what Christmas gift it will select to get,"
   presumably referring to more missile tests.

   The statement follows a test of two projectiles North Korea conducted
   on Thanksgiving Thursday. Pyongyang's official Korean Central News
   Agency (KCNA) said on Friday it tested a "super large multiple rocket
   launcher." It is North Korea's 13th missile test since May.
   

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