➪ read the full post HTML
by Charles Knight, a version of this article appeared in The National Interest on 19 February 2019. This is a modestly revised version.
Complemented by:
“A Path to Reductions of Conventional Forces on the Korean Peninsula” by Charles Knight, 2020.
➪ full English text: PDF or ➪ Korean auto-translation (DeepL)
The status quo is a failed approach to Korean conflict and tension; a failed policy that is at least partially responsible for North Korea becoming a small but real nuclear power.
Rather than continue to isolate North Korea, the new realities require America to bring nuclear North Korea into as close a relationship as possible—so that there are opportunities to influence the North in regards to responsibly and safely managing its nuclear weaponry. It is hard to imagine such trust between North Korea and the United States at this time, but the United States can encourage China to play a role in persuading North Korea. Chinese and American interests align very closely regarding nuclear safety and restraint.