The abrupt end to the Trump-Kim second summit in February is probably worrying Kim Jong-un. He has now raised the rhetoric against hostile countries who are trying to demean his regime by using sanctions. Kim wants to deliver what he says would be a “serious blow” to such countries. He is racking his brains to come up with a solution of how to balance the equation of sanctions relief with progress on denuclearization. During their first summit in Singapore, the North Korean leader had agreed for denuclearization, but differences arose on the process of implementation.

The Guardian says there is now a deadlock and there must be diplomatic attempts to break the same so that the process of denuclearization can gain momentum. From all appearances, Kim Jong-un has put on hold his nuclear exercises hoping to come out of the economic pitfall of sanctions and the inaction over the past couple of months is testing his patience.

Kim wants to improve the economy

The supremo of North Korea has realized that economic stability is important for the progress of his country. This is evident from his recent visits to some projects.

One of these is a remodeled department store, apart from tourist resorts and an economic hub located near the border with China. Moon Jae-in, president of South Korea, plans to meet Donald Trump to lay the groundwork for restarting nuclear negotiations. Moon feels the partial easing of sanctions could help the cause of peace in the region by cooperating with the North on cross-border tourism and industrial projects.

He had discussed these points with Kim when they met for their third summit last September.

The Guardian goes on to add that in the Hanoi summit, Pyongyang wanted Washington to agree for limited sanctions relief and the hermit kingdom would reciprocate by dismantling its main nuclear facility at Yongbyon.

However, the Americans claimed the regime’s demand was for dropping all sanctions. That could happen only when North Korea went in for total denuclearization by dismantling its complete range of nuclear facilities and weapons programs.

It’s all about give and take

According to Fox News, the Hanoi summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un was about giving and taking. North Korea was willing to limit its nuclear program but it would depend on the extent of easing the economic sanctions. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to meet president Trump in Washington to discuss the issue. The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has offered Moon some hope when he said that he would like to leave “a little room” in the sanctions regime linked with North Korea’s progress on denuclearization. This could be a revised strategy of the United States.
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