Since the Korean Armistice Agreement, which ended the Korean War in a stalemate in 1953, relations between North and South Korea have been heated due to political and ideological disagreements. Due to Kim Jong Un’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, the conflict has worsened, and the United Nations and other allies of South Korea placed heavy sanctions on the nation in 2013. A nuclear war loomed in the minds of many as the North Korean Missile program advanced greatly with the introduction of the country’s first ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile). South Korea and its allies responded with even more sanctions on North Korea.
Recently, however, there have been some advances towards peace. In January of 2018, North Korea and South Korea reopened the main hotline between the two countries. The phone had been long dormant, and the two nations have not had a conversation since 2016. Talks between the two nations started again, and the countries used the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea to display new symbolic gestures of unification during the opening ceremony. Athletes from both nations came out together under one flag that showed the Korean peninsula united as one country. Since the Olympics, the North Korean regime has taken further steps towards peace.
During a visit to South Korea, Jong Un’s envoys claimed that the regime and Jong Un would be open to peaceful negotiations and talks for the denuclearization of the country’s nuclear arsenal.
A statement released by the office of Moon Jae-In, President of South Korea, said, “The North Korean side clearly stated its willingness to denuclearize. It made it clear that it would have no reason to keep nuclear weapons if the military threat to the North was eliminated and its security guaranteed.” The regime also claimed they would suspend all nuclear tests during these peace talks. This is the first time the regime has come to the table offering to surrender its nuclear weapons. The United States has responded with cautious optimism. President Donald Trump tweeted, “For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned.” Until now, no such talks had even been considered, but now they are close to being a reality.
However, the denuclearization of North Korea does not mean there will be complete peace between the United States and North Korea. The Kim Jong Un regime has been notorious for their human rights violations and malnourished, impoverished population. Differing ideologies and policies may prove to be great obstacles to overcome during any diplomatic talks, but many are hopeful the denuclearization of the North Korean arsenal could be a great leap forward for easing tensions in the Korean Peninsula.
