Written by: Kelly Grounds, Peak Associate
The third summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean leader Moon Jae-in occurred in Pyongyang last week. The summit focused on North Korea’s part of the denuclearization pact. At the end of the summit, North Korea announced that it would be closing a missile test site in Tongchang-in, and their primary nuclear complex Yongbyon. Satellite imagery also confirms that the initial dismantling process has indeed begun.
Kim and Moon also spent part of the summit discussing an end to the Korean War. While an official end to the Korean War would need both China and the United States signing on, Kim and Moon would sign a peace treaty themselves or simply declare the Korean War over.
They also announced that there would be a fourth summit between the two Koreas. However, this next summit is going to occur in South Korea, marking it as the first time a leader from North Korea will travel to South Korea, further showing their desire to pursue creating diplomatic relations with the rest of the world.
While this summit appears to show progress between the Koreas, there is still a major factor to these summits — the United States. North Korea’s haste and willingness to participate in these summits may be partially linked to its desire to reopen negotiations with the United States. A reliable alliance between the Koreas provides strength in case this meeting results in greater tension or conflict with America.
This is a significant risk, as the foreign policy of the United States has been unpredictable lately, and it could potentially undo all of the progress made between the two Koreas. Moon’s September meeting with President Trump will be Moon’s chance to secure the status of North Korea’s current deal. If that meeting goes poorly, hopefully it doesn’t prevent future progress, or harm the monumental progress that’s already been made.
