Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
By Li Kaisheng Source:Global Times Published: 2014-12-9 20:03:01
The long-stalled Six-Party Talks have sparked much debate after North Korea voiced its willingness to resume talks without preconditions during a visit to Russia by Choe Ryong-hae, a special envoy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, last month.
After all, it's been about seven years since the last negotiations were held and there has been no other workable mechanism that can replace the Six-Party Talks. Whatever the results might be, a resumption of talks will be helpful for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
But reopening talks is no easy task as the key lies in the willingness of the US, not that of North Korea. Pyongyang has an urgent need to break its current diplomatic isolation through negotiations. It only wants to frame denuclearization as a vague and long-term goal.
But Washington has found such talks to be ineffectual and hence unacceptable after long acquaintance with Pyongyang. The Obama administration has made it clear that North Korea needs to show its serious commitment to denuclearization if it wants to talk.
After North Korea released the message for unconditional talks, Sung Kim, the US special representative for North Korea policy, paid a visit to South Korea, Japan and China that will wrap up this week. But as per available information, Washington still insists on preconditions for resuming negotiations.
The US is explicit in its intentions when facing with North Korea's tactics. It tries to consolidate its alliance in the region, particularly to ensure that Seoul sides with Washington in dealing with Pyongyang. Meanwhile, it wants to take the opportunity to reiterate its preconditions and compel Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table.
A window of opportunity has emerged for breaking the current stalemate on the peninsula since both the US and North Korea show a willingness for negotiations. However, this opportunity may be missed if a strong mediator and coordinator cannot be found.
China can play this unique role. North Korea picked a wrong location when releasing its willingness for talks. Kim Jong-un failed to realize the changes occurring in the world's geopolitical landscape.
Russia is unlikely to exert notable influences on the US on the peninsula issue since they are at loggerheads over the Ukraine crisis. That Moscow asks Washington to resume talks without preconditions is likely to prompt an entirely opposite response.
The US appears to be more clearheaded than North Korea. Sung Kim chose Beijing as the last leg of his Northeast Asia visit as he is well aware where the key to the issue is.
But Washington may have been overly rational and sober. Politics and diplomacy are synonyms for compromise. If relevant parties cannot adjust their positions and reach compromises, they are likely to run into conflicts or even wars.
The US should have been clearly aware of North Korea's diplomatic style and that it wouldn't hesitate to adopt the harsh means of nuclear tests if its request for talks is not accepted.
If Pyongyang carries out the fourth nuclear test, what will it bring to the peace of Northeast Asia? While the distant US has no need to directly worry, what will it mean to countries in the region?
It doesn't mean that concessions should be made to Pyongyang's nuclear blackmail, nor should the previous mode of negotiations be repeated. The Six-Party Talks were previously relatively successful as they brought together all the relevant parties and released the Joint Statement at the fourth round of the Six-Party Talks on September 19, 2005.
But on the other side, the talks have failed since they didn't stop Pyongyang from conducting nuclear tests and further pursuing nuclear weapons.
The talks, once resumed, should go beyond the existing basis and serve as an effective mechanism to safeguard peace on the peninsula.
At present, both the US and North Korea need to take a step back.
Washington should lower the bar while Pyongyang should make concrete actions to demonstrate its sincerity and credibility on denuclearization.
Meanwhile, Beijing has to alter its position in the talks from a mediator to a coordinator or even a leader. With a lack of trust between Washington and Pyongyang, it's essential for China to make more involvement with a stronger role.
The author is an associate research fellow at the Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
