North Korea – U.S. Peace Summit

May 16, 2018

North Korea – U.S. Peace Summit

Padmini Arhant

The reports on North Korea’s possible withdrawal from the upcoming peace summit tentatively scheduled on June 12th, 2018 in Singapore citing the ongoing military exercise between United States and South Korea and the U.S. officials demand for complete denuclearization obviously deserves fair assessment.

As mentioned on many occasions to resolve any crisis, the cause must be identified and addressed effectively making way for any appropriate solutions. On North Korea issue, the United States military drills with South Korea in Korean Peninsula has been the bone of contention prompting North Korea to seek nuclear option in self-defense and deterrence in the first place.

After long skirmishes and threats from both sides i.e. United States and North Korea, the olive branch exchanged between North and South Korea in the wake of Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea in February this year set the pace for peace talks between the two neighbors with hopes and expectations on all sides to diffuse long standing tensions ushering in the era of peace and normal relations in Korean Peninsula.

The earlier interaction between the two leaders of Korea, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in was indicative of some progress in reaching the milestone bringing the two leaderships to reconcile many differences and among them the three key proposals were to transform the current armistice to permanent peace treaty, North Korea terminating nuclear testing and economic ties along with family reunion among Korean members were to be formalized on Wednesday, May 16th, 2018.

North Korea released the three Americans held hostage on espionage charges and also made a public announcement via state media that North Korea is scheduled to shut down the nuclear testing site and facility followed by an official ceremony on May 23rd – May 25th this year.

Now the U.S. military training of South Korean forces claiming to be in preparation of defense strategy for ally South Korea in the middle of peace process impairs faith and credibility necessary on all sides to rescind activities that has been contributing to the escalation of conflict.

Anytime when one side makes demands on the other despite the former having been the source of the problem from the beginning with relentless military maneuvers and display of artillery power including nuclear submarines at the doorstep of another in a manner that is intimidating and provocative,

The element of trust that is essential in all negotiations is jeopardized due to lack of commitment to meet their end of the deal.

United States military presence in Korean Peninsula is similar to their engagement worldwide much to the angst and frustration of nations they deem adversary. These states are expected to accept the situation as permanent setting regardless of such disposition undermining sovereignty and security.

United States military has been training South Korean forces since the emergence of that state without any determination of making South Korea self-reliant and there appears to be no end to the military base in Korea like the operation in Afghanistan.

How long does it take for the military such as the United States projected as the formidable and superior defense force in several aspects with capabilities to provide training and guidance enabling the trainees to qualify in self-defense mechanism?

Certainly, the course could not run into decades which means there are inherent deficiencies in the method or the objectives are not necessarily confined to the stated position with protracted goals to establish indefinite stay evident not only in Korea but also in Afghanistan, Middle East, the Baltics and the rest of the world.

South Korea on their part need to clarify the status to own citizens and their extended family members across the border in North for a truly democratic nation would not eternally allow or submit to foreign troops deployment under the guise of strengthening military prowess.

Needless to say, concessions are required from all sides based on their involvement that led to constant clashes with clear and transparent participation in the summit.

Again, reiterating earlier statement on this matter, denuclearization is incumbent not only on North Korea but in fact all nuclear states with United States and other major nuclear powers viz. Britain, France, Russia, China leading Israel, India and Pakistan along with NATO de facto in possession of nuclear arsenal are to be disarmed without exceptions to establish a nuclear free zone that would guarantee global peace and security and not otherwise.

The concept of responsible vs. reckless in nuclear status has been visited several times and adequately ascertained that all nuclear states pose a threat to humanity.

Accordingly the originators in this game i.e. United States and other dominant nuclear forces mentioned above bear responsibility to begin nuclear disarmament given their imperial legacy and ongoing illegal invasion and occupation of foreign land as well as territorial annexations necessitating nuclear option for those states as viable even though the maintenance and monitoring of nuclear sites proved an enormous liability for taxpayers and nations struggling with the costs of nuclear affordability and investments in the economy.

South Korea has to demonstrate independence in decision making without being influenced by foreign military power i.e. United States in ending military routines once and for all. South Korea population are entitled to forge normal ties with their families in North and begin a new chapter renewing economic partnerships, cultural and relevantly converting the armistice into irreversible peace accord. All of these are achievable upon demilitarization of the Korean peninsula paving the path for peaceful coexistence that has been prevented with United States exerting authority on Korean affairs.

The leadership qualities are tested in these times demanding courage and sincerity to embark on a peace mission abandoning aggression visible in military undertakings attributed to current impediments depriving the people in Korea on either side to stabilize and normalize the environment.

There are always implicit and explicit hawkish overtones attempting to stymie successful peace agreements as they are regarded unfavorable to personal and vested interests not to mention other extraordinary plans ignoring the consequences of such motives exacerbating human suffering and interjecting undesirable conditions.

South Korea should prioritize peace, stability and economic prosperity for all in Korea and move forward as a free sovereign state in holding direct talks with North Korean leadership and officials that would confirm the initiatives trustworthy and reliable for that is key to any endeavors more so of this pact having the prospects to turn history towards positive and peaceful direction.

I urge the South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to come together and ratify the alteration of armistice into peace treaty in addition to facilitating free flow of economic goods and services in Kaesong industrial complex in North Korea and consolidating Korean cultural values that are significant to present and future generations in their respective country.

United States role exemplified in demilitarization and lifting economic sanctions against North Korean citizens is vital as these actions would authenticate United States integrity in changing history from acrimony to harmony.

North Korea ceasing nuclear testing and closing nuclear site is prudent and proceed to do so that would further affirm international support recognizing the seriousness of such pledge.

I convey my best wishes to the people in North and South Korea as well as the leaderships and officials on all sides including United States striving hard to accomplish ever lasting peace that is long overdue in Korean Peninsula and Asia Pacific region.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Asia Pacific, Featured 

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