To discuss more about the regional affairs surrounding the Korean Peninsula, we're joined
by Dr. Kim Hyun-wook, Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy
Good to see you again Dr. Kim, thanks for joining us.
South Korea appears to be getting busy after its historic talks with North Korea’s high
ranking delegation.
Seoul's Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung held talks with the Japanese and Chinese ambassadors
to South Korea, and is now meeting the acting U.S. ambassador.
What do you think were those talks’ primary focus?
The U.S. and Japan have made it clear that they will not be fooled by North Korea's Olympics
charm offensive,... whereas South Korea is taking an apparently more lenient approach
towards North Korea.
How should the South Korean government iron out the differences with the two countries?
President Moon Jae-in has stated that the U.S. expressed its will to hold talks with
North Korea,... and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, on his way back to the U.S., also signaled
the possibility of Washington-Pyongyang talks.
Do you think the talks will materialize anytime soon?
If yes, do you think that could work as a factor in speeding things up for the inter-Korean
summit that was proposed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister
Kim Yo-jong a few days ago?
Q4 South Korean media outlets are speculating
that Seoul and Washington will likely speed things up and hold talks before April, which
is when the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills are expected to begin.
How soon do you think the two sides will meet for talks and what is
the expected outcome?
Q5 U.S. President Donald Trump has told Russian
President Vladimir Putin on Monday that additional measures are needed for the denuclearization
of North Korea.
What’s the motive behind making such remarks at a time
like this?
Q6 The Trump administration is also expected
to announce additional sanctions on North Korea, this time involving maritime interdiction.
Would that have any impact on the thawing inter-Korean relations?
Q7 Now
to Japan.
What is Japan concerned about the most as relations warm up between the two Koreas and
the possibility of an inter-Korean summit emerges?
Q8 South Korea and Japan are not exactly on best
terms, with historic issues like Japan’s wartime sexual enslavement of Korean women
still lingering over the two countries.
How can Seoul convince Tokyo to cooperate in carrying out
its
North Korea policy?
Q9 Some raise concerns that an inter-Korean summit
could undermine global efforts to ramp up pressure
on
North Korea.
What
kind of strategy does South Korea need at this point?
Q10 Given that an inter-Korean summit actually
happens, would the summit
have any negative impact on
the trilateral security ties between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan?