In recent weeks, it has become clear that the post-June 12 diplomacy between the United States and North Korea has become bogged down by two primary issues. First, and least surprisingly, Pyongyang and Washington continue to disagree over what kinds of steps would constitute bona fide evidence of “denuclearization” intent. North Korea considers its cessation of nuclear testing and intercontinental-range ballistic missile testing sufficient, while Washington, as in the past, wants to see more.

The second issue is related to sequencing. Specifically, North Korea would like to see the U.S. support the inter-Korean plan to push toward