[ISSUE TALK] ASEAN Regional Forum ends with muted progress on North Korea
- 6 years ago
ARF 외교전 폐막… 북미협상 앞날은? - 민정훈 교수 대담
Taking a look back at the ASEAN Regional Forum with us, we have with Professor Min Jeong-hun from the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Thank you for making the time to come in today.
My pleasure.
1 - Compared to last year when North Korea was testing nuclear bombs and launching missiles, the ASEAN Regional Forum this year seemed to have a friendlier atmosphere. The Chairman's statement called on the regime to commit to complete denuclearization as promised, but it stopped short of calling for CVID. Why do you think they did not push harder?
2 - North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong-ho was there, and he met counterparts from 12 nations, including China, Thailand and Vietnam. That's quite a busy schedule compared to last year.
3 - There was hope that progress on an agreement to end the Korean War would be made. Although North Korea did not meet with South Korea and the U.S., the other two did meet, and they met with their Chinese counterparts as well. What progress do you think was made?
4 - The anticipated meeting between North Korea and South Korea or the U.S. did not happen. Why do you think that was?
4a - What do you think was in the letter that Sung Kim gave to Ri?
5 - South Korea's foreign minister said afterwards that she still hopes that the declaration to end the war could be reached by the end of the year, and that the UN General Assembly in September would be an important opportunity. What do you think she means, and do you think it really could be possible?
6 - U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton gave an interview on Sunday, saying that the U.S. is not starry eyed about North Korean denuclearization, but stressed that it was Kim Jong-un who said denuclearization was possible in a year, and that they would continue to keep watch. What do you make of his comments?
7 - Despite supposed improving relations, the U.S. upped pressure on North Korea and its allies, sanctioning a further four targets on Friday, including a North Korean individual and a Russian bank. This is the first since the Kim-Trump summit in June. Who are these targets and what message do you think it sends?
8 - Ri Yong-ho has left Singapore to go to Iran. Why is he there?
9 - Reports emerged over the weekend that there was a United Nations report that said North Korea was still continuing its nuclear and missile programs, and even selling weapons to places like Syria, and Libya. It also talked about how they were funding it through illegal ship-to-ship transfers out at sea. Are you surprised at all by these reports, and what consequences do you think there will be?
Taking a look back at the ASEAN Regional Forum with us, we have with Professor Min Jeong-hun from the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. Thank you for making the time to come in today.
My pleasure.
1 - Compared to last year when North Korea was testing nuclear bombs and launching missiles, the ASEAN Regional Forum this year seemed to have a friendlier atmosphere. The Chairman's statement called on the regime to commit to complete denuclearization as promised, but it stopped short of calling for CVID. Why do you think they did not push harder?
2 - North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong-ho was there, and he met counterparts from 12 nations, including China, Thailand and Vietnam. That's quite a busy schedule compared to last year.
3 - There was hope that progress on an agreement to end the Korean War would be made. Although North Korea did not meet with South Korea and the U.S., the other two did meet, and they met with their Chinese counterparts as well. What progress do you think was made?
4 - The anticipated meeting between North Korea and South Korea or the U.S. did not happen. Why do you think that was?
4a - What do you think was in the letter that Sung Kim gave to Ri?
5 - South Korea's foreign minister said afterwards that she still hopes that the declaration to end the war could be reached by the end of the year, and that the UN General Assembly in September would be an important opportunity. What do you think she means, and do you think it really could be possible?
6 - U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton gave an interview on Sunday, saying that the U.S. is not starry eyed about North Korean denuclearization, but stressed that it was Kim Jong-un who said denuclearization was possible in a year, and that they would continue to keep watch. What do you make of his comments?
7 - Despite supposed improving relations, the U.S. upped pressure on North Korea and its allies, sanctioning a further four targets on Friday, including a North Korean individual and a Russian bank. This is the first since the Kim-Trump summit in June. Who are these targets and what message do you think it sends?
8 - Ri Yong-ho has left Singapore to go to Iran. Why is he there?
9 - Reports emerged over the weekend that there was a United Nations report that said North Korea was still continuing its nuclear and missile programs, and even selling weapons to places like Syria, and Libya. It also talked about how they were funding it through illegal ship-to-ship transfers out at sea. Are you surprised at all by these reports, and what consequences do you think there will be?