Seoul:<Text>
President Lee Jae Myung, ahead of the Korea-Japan summit, unveiled a "three-step denuclearization plan" as his strategy to address the North Korean nuclear threat. This new policy from the government aims for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, beginning with freezing North Korea's nuclear and missile activities, followed by their reduction, and ultimately achieving full denuclearization. The phased approach acknowledges the challenges of immediate, total denuclearization but raises concerns about potentially legitimizing North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has consistently stated his unwillingness to relinquish nuclear weapons, focusing instead on their miniaturization and diversification. The possibility of a comprehensive agreement exchanging total denuclearization for regime security appears unlikely, especially since the 2022 Ukraine war has seen China and Russia diverge from internati onal sanctions, complicating efforts to pressure Pyongyang. Lee's proposal seems to consider these geopolitical realities.
Critics note that the phased plan resembles the "small deal" Kim proposed during the 2019 U.S.-North Korea summit in Hanoi. The previous Moon Jae-in administration had maintained that a nuclear freeze was the starting point for dialogue, with complete denuclearization as the goal. Lee's approach may face criticism for straying from the principle of CVID - complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization - upheld by previous administrations.
Experts estimate North Korea has over 50 nuclear weapons, with the potential to produce up to 90 warheads. Starting negotiations with a freeze could result in Pyongyang demanding sanctions relief, leaving its nuclear arsenal intact while easing sanctions, a scenario detrimental to Seoul.
In the interview, Lee emphasized collaboration with the United States to transition from freeze to reducti on to dismantlement. At the upcoming Korea-Japan and Korea-U.S. summits, Lee is expected to engage in comprehensive discussions with Japanese and U.S. leaders. Persuading U.S. President Donald Trump not to implicitly recognize North Korea's nuclear status or enter into a nuclear arms reduction dialogue that Pyongyang desires is crucial.
Despite North Korea's refusal to acknowledge South Korea as a negotiating partner, Seoul must remain proactive. The government should leverage diplomatic channels and trilateral cooperation with Washington and Tokyo to re-engage Pyongyang and pursue genuine denuclearization.