Seoul sees US-N. Korea dialogue as most realistic way to halt Pyongyang’s nuclear advance

Seoul's Unification Ministry has called for the resumption of U.S.-North Korea dialogue as the most viable path to curbing Pyongyang's growing nuclear capabilities, emphasizing that such talks are essential to altering the current stalemate on the Korean Peninsula. The ministry's stance comes amid heightened tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump's recent signals indicating openness to engaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This shift has sparked both optimism about potential diplomatic breakthroughs and apprehension in Seoul over whether the U.S. might prioritize its own security interests over regional stability. The ministry's position was articulated during a press briefing held in Seoul, where a senior official stressed that North Korea continues to expand its nuclear arsenal despite ongoing inter-Korean estrangement. According to the official, the only feasible strategy to alter this trajectory is through direct engagement between Washington and Pyongyang. The official argued that without such dialogue, there is little chance of making progress on either halting the North's nuclear advances or achieving lasting peace on the peninsula. The official noted that Trump's recent decisions, such as scaling back joint military drills with South Korea and avoiding public emphasis on denuclearization, appear to align with conditions outlined by Kim at the ninth congress of the Workers' Party earlier this year. Kim had reportedly demanded that the United States acknowledge North Korea's status as a nuclear power and cease what Pyongyang describes as hostile policies. The official claimed that Trump has signaled agreement with these two key demands, suggesting that the groundwork for renewed talks may already be in place. Despite these developments, the official warned against overemphasizing fears that South Korea might be left out of future negotiations, a concern known locally as "Korea passing." Instead, the focus should be on generating momentum to halt the North's nuclear expansion, the official insisted. The official also pointed out that Pyongyang itself has reasons to engage in dialogue, noting that the North has previously stated it would not meet Trump if denuclearization were a condition of talks. Thus, any dialogue, even if forced, could result in de facto recognition of North Korea's nuclear status. The official acknowledged that some worry an initial focus on freezing North Korea's nuclear activities might inadvertently be perceived as accepting its current arsenal. However, the official maintained that halting further development is a prerequisite for any long-term effort to dismantle the program. "The nuclear car is speeding ahead," the official said. "You have to make it stop first before you can put it in reverse. You cannot reverse while it is still moving." Furthermore, the official highlighted that the process of moving toward a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula will likely take considerable time, given the prolonged development of North Korea's nuclear program. "I hope the focus will be placed on halting the nuclear program rather than on whether we are tolerating North Korea’s nuclear weapons," the official said. The official also expressed the view that future negotiations should encompass broader discussions on arms control and the establishment of a comprehensive peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. While the official did not elaborate on specific terms or timelines, the emphasis remained on the necessity of direct dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea as the most effective means of addressing the region's escalating security challenges.