The stage is set: North Korea and the U.S. appear finally willing to make a deal



Opinion The stage is set: North Korea and the U.S. appear finally willing to make a deal A nuclear freeze agreement, while far from perfect, would represent welcome progress Andrei Lankov July 14, 2019 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Kevin Lim/THE STRAITS TIMES This author spent the last week in Washington DC, and one thing now seems clear: a deal with North Korea is, at last, in the works. Working-level talks are about to begin, and its participants (as well as their bosses) are optimistic about success and certain that in the near future they will be able to forge a compromise on the North Korean nuclear issue. Outside observers do not necessarily share the diplomats’ enthusiasm: many obstacles remain, they say, and a deal, while clearly possible, is by no means a sure thing. But even the skeptics believe that this time success is likely, not least because in both the United States and North Korea, the top leaders have valid domestic reasons to forge an agreement. This author spent the last week in Washington DC, and one thing now seems clear: a deal with North Korea is, at last, in the works. Working-level talks are about to begin, and its participants (as well as their bosses) are optimistic about success and certain that in the near future they will be able to forge a compromise on the North Korean nuclear issue. Outside observers do not necessarily share the diplomats’ enthusiasm: many obstacles remain, they say, and a deal, while clearly possible, is by no means a sure thing. But even the skeptics believe that this time success is likely, not least because in both the United States and North Korea, the top leaders have valid domestic reasons to forge an agreement. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Opinion

The stage is set: North Korea and the U.S. appear finally willing to make a deal

A nuclear freeze agreement, while far from perfect, would represent welcome progress

Andrei Lankov July 14, 2019

The stage is set: North Korea and the U.S. appear finally willing to make a deal

Kevin Lim/THE STRAITS TIMES

This author spent the last week in Washington DC, and one thing now seems clear: a deal with North Korea is, at last, in the works. Working-level talks are about to begin, and its participants (as well as their bosses) are optimistic about success and certain that in the near future they will be able to forge a compromise on the North Korean nuclear issue.

Outside observers do not necessarily share the diplomats’ enthusiasm: many obstacles remain, they say, and a deal, while clearly possible, is by no means a sure thing. But even the skeptics believe that this time success is likely, not least because in both the United States and North Korea, the top leaders have valid domestic reasons to forge an agreement.