Time for US wishful thinking on North Korean denuclearisation is over

Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Pyongyang may mark a significant turning point in the international discussion surrounding North Korea's nuclear arsenal. While headlines focused on the timing of the visit and the pledges of expanded cooperation, the most notable aspect was the conspicuous absence of any public discussion about denuclearization.

Instead of reiterating support for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, Xi called for increased military cooperation. This represents a notable departure from China's long-standing position. Although Xi has not explicitly recognized North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, his silence on the issue carries considerable weight. For years, China, alongside Russia, officially supported denuclearization, though their commitment varied. Russia has recently shifted its stance, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declaring denuclearization a "closed issue" in September 2024.

With Xi's visit, China appears to be subtly aligning with Russia's position. This leaves the United States increasingly isolated in its continued insistence that North Korea can be persuaded to abandon its nuclear weapons. The policy objective of denuclearization is no longer considered realistic, at least in the short to medium term, by many in the region.

Continuing to prioritize denuclearization in its North Korea policy risks trapping Washington in a diplomatic stalemate. Such a situation could escalate military tensions on the peninsula and further diminish U.S. leverage over Pyongyang. President Donald Trump should acknowledge that denuclearization is an unattainable goal, a reality that much of the region has already accepted.

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denuclearisation is a closed issue