This op-ed originally appeared in Axios, Feb. 25, 2019.
As the second summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un approaches, the U.S. continues to focus its attention on the dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear program.
Yes, but: If Trump is serious about denuclearizing North Korea, he should also use the summit with Kim Jong-un to take steps toward negotiating a peace agreement and formally ending the Korean War, noting the diplomatic engagements that have taken place between North and South Korea in 2017 that help to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Why it matters: North Korea has long tied its nuclear ambitions to the military threat posed by the U.S. In fact, decades of U.S. pressure and sanctions have only galvanized North Korea’s nuclear program. Steps toward a peace agreement would provide a foundation for future successful negotiations between the two countries.
Where it stands: South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been making efforts to build a better relationship with Kim Jong-un and between their respective governments.
Read the full op-ed in Axios, Feb. 25, 2019.