US pressure on North Korea's denuclearization risks South Korean security, analysis argues

The long-standing pursuit of North Korea's denuclearization by South Korea and its allies faces growing questions about its effectiveness and potential risks. While the US reaffirmed its commitment to denuclearization during a summit with China, Beijing has remained silent on the issue. Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to upgrade bilateral relations, focusing on economic exchanges rather than denuclearization.

South Korea has consistently aligned with its allies on the denuclearization principle, believing it serves national interests. However, the article urges an objective assessment, suggesting that a rigid adherence to this demand could harm South Korea's security. It posits that the possibility of North Korea agreeing to denuclearization talks with the US has diminished significantly since the Kim-Xi summit. Pyongyang is unlikely to engage unless the US abandons its core demand.

Insisting on denuclearization and pursuing a summit are presented as mutually exclusive goals. If the US were to set aside denuclearization to facilitate a meeting, any attempt to raise the issue during the summit would likely lead to its breakdown. Even a proposal to "freeze and reduce" North Korea's nuclear program would be met with resistance, as Pyongyang views denuclearization as a non-negotiable matter.

The article concludes that the more aggressively the US pushes for North Korea's denuclearization, the greater the risk to South Korea's interests and security. Many experts believe the Kim regime has no intention of disarming, raising concerns about the efficacy of current diplomatic strategies.