The 2018 inter-Korean summit is planned to take place on April 27, 2018, on the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area, between President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and Kim Jong-un of North Korea. If it goes ahead, it will be the third inter-Korean summit and the first in eleven years. It will also be the first time since the Korean War that a North Korean leader enters South Korean territory.The summit is planned to focus on the North Korean nuclear weapons program and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Below are some questions and answers that explains the purpose and objectives of the summit.
QUESTION 1: What is the significance of exchanges of special envoys between South and North Korea and the arrangement of an inter-Korean summit on the occasion of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics?
ANSWER: The participation by North Korea in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games and the reciprocal dispatch of special envoys elicited the possibility of talks between the United States and the North and an agreement on holding an inter-Korean summit.
Special Envoy Kim Yo Jong, first vice director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, hand-delivered a personal letter from Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, to President Moon Jae-in on February 10.
| Announcement to the Nation by Director of National Security Chung Eui-yong on
His Visit to North Korea (March 6, 2018) 1) South and North Korea reached an agreement to hold the 3rd inter-Korean summit in the Peace House at the truce village of Panmunjeom in late April. To this end, both sides agreed to proceed with working-level consultations in detail. 2) South and North Korea agreed to install a hotline between the two heads of state to defuse military tensions and facilitate close consultations. The first telephone conversation between the two leaders will take place prior to the 3rd inter-Korean summit. 3) The North made clear its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that it has no reason to possess nuclear weapons should military threats against the North be removed and the safety of its regime be guaranteed. 4) The North expressed its intent to engage in candid dialogue with the United States on the denuclearization and the normalization of Pyeongyang-Washington relations. 5) The North clearly stated that it would not resume any strategic provocation, including any additional nuclear test and ballistic missile test-launch, while engaged in dialogue. At the same time, the North vowed that not only nuclear weapons but also conventional weaponry would never be used against the South. 6) The North invited a taekwondo demonstration team and an art troupe of the South to Pyeongyang with a view to carrying on the amicable mood of reconciliation and cooperation between the two sides created for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. |
Beyond its success as a peace Olympics, the PyeongChang Winter Olympics has made a great stride toward the denuclearization and settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula. All this can be ascribable to inter-Korean talks together with strong support from the United States. If it leads to the denuclearization of North Korea and the normalization of Pyeongyang-Washington ties, it will become a breakthrough for bringing peace to the world as well.
There are many critical junctures ahead on the path toward denuclearization and the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula. It is imperative to lay the cornerstone for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula step by step while engaging in talks with North Korea and working together with the international community, including the United States.
QUESTION 2: What is the meaning of a U.S.-North Korea summit, which is to be held after the inter-Korean summit?
ANSWER: We are being given an invaluable opportunity to accomplish denuclearization, the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula and the opening of a path toward common prosperity in the two Koreas. If the inter-Korean summit and a U.S.-North Korea summit take place one after the other over the next two months, it will be possible to expect consequential changes. Our success will make a dramatic turnaround in world history.
The fundamental denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the settlement of peace will depend on whether we can seize on this opportunity. It is not an accident that we have been able to create this opportunity—it has become possible only because it is the right path to take. The entire world is looking forward to peace, not war and a diplomatic solution, not a military action.
QUESTION 3: What is the background behind the agreement to hold the summit between the two leaders at the border village of Panmunjeom?
ANSWER: Panmunjeom is the place that symbolizes division and military confrontation on the Korean Peninsula. The venue was first proposed by the South Korean side. When special envoy Kim Yo Jong visited South Korea February 9-11, she conveyed the invitation from Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea Kim Jong Un to President Moon Jae-in to visit Pyeongyang. To this, the South Korean side proposed to hold a summit for peace at Panmunjeom, a symbol of the division and confrontation. This proposal was accepted by Chairman Kim Jong Un when the South Korean special envoys made a trip to the North March 5-6. Accordingly, it was agreed upon that the summit would be held at Panmunjeom.
As various functions that usually accompany a summit can be omitted if it is held at Panmunjeom, the two leaders will be able to focus on their discussions.
QUESTION 4: What is the goal of the 2018 South-North Korea Summit?
ANSWER: The focus will be placed on laying the foundation for denuclearization and the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula as well as for progress in inter-Korean relations, rather than on reaching an agreement on numerous fronts.
Given the fact that inter-Korean relations have remained severed for a long time, thus deteriorating, it will be of great significance for the two leaders to build mutual trust through candid and heart-to-heart discussions.
QUESTION 5: What is the agenda of the 2018 South-North Korea Summit?
ANSWER: During the summit, a comprehensive discussion will be held on a wide range of issues, including denuclearization and the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula as well as progress in inter-Korean relations. As of now, negotiations between the two sides are underway with regard to specific wording of agenda topics.
QUESTION 6: What is the plan for preparations for the inter-Korean Summit?
ANSWER: Preparations will be made in a manner that helps the two leaders develop mutual understanding and trust through frank heart-to-heart discussion.
With the preparation committee for the inter-Korean summit playing a pivotal role, ministries and agencies concerned will engage in close consultations to make thoroughgoing preparations.
QUESTION 7: To what extent will discussions on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula progress during the upcoming summit?
ANSWER: Concerning denuclearization, it is most important to proceed to the practical resolution of the issue through the inter-Korean summit and an ensuing summit between the United States and North Korea. In this connection, the inter-Korean summit will serve as an opportunity for the two sides to engage in candid discussions to narrow their differences in opinion in the run-up to the U.S.-North Korea summit.
QUESTION 8: Are there any changes in the North’s attitude with regard to the nuclear issue?
ANSWER: When South Korean officials mentioned the issue at meetings in the past, North Korean officials used to strongly protest against it and stopped any discussion from continuing. During the inter-Korean high-level talks held on January 9 this year and the exchanges of visits by special envoys, however, North Korean officials listened to what their counterparts had to say until they finished. They also showed an about-face in their attitude to the extent that they explained the background of the North’s nuclear development.
QUESTION 9: North Korea said it would not stage any strategic provocation, including a nuclear test or missile launch, while engaged in dialogue. Isn’t it aimed at buying more time for their nuclear development?
ANSWER: It is inappropriate to jump to the conclusion that changes in their attitudes are for gaining more time. Denuclearization is the unequivocal objective for South Korea, to achieve which we will engage in the talks with a clear stance in the interest of our country.
We will not be overly optimistic or turn a blind eye to certain aspects. Instead, preparations will be thoroughly made in consideration of all possible situations and possibilities.
QUESTION 10: There seems to be little possibility that North Korea, which announced the completion of its nuclear force, would accept a freeze and elimination of its program.
ANSWER: North Korea announced last year that it had completed its nuclear arsenal, but when the South Korean delegation visited the North, Chairman Kim Jong Un expressed his commitment to denuclearization and his intent to have dialogue with the United States to this end. The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) intends to make utmost efforts to encourage the North to make a resolution for denuclearization during the upcoming meetings, including the inter-Korean summit, and to follow through on its decision.
QUESTION 11: What would be an obstacle to the negotiations on North Korea’s nuclear programs?
ANSWER: The biggest obstacle in the inter-Korean summit and a summit between the United States and North Korea is the lack of trust. Implementation of agreements reached through negotiations has to be predictable, but there is a shortage of trust between the two Koreas and between the United States and North Korea. The ROK Government intends to do its best to prepare for the inter-Korean summit so that it can be the first step to recover trust between the two Koreas and between the United States and the North.
QUESTION 12: What specifically will be discussed in relation to the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula?
ANSWER: It is expected that there will be heart-to-heart discussions on various matters needed to achieve denuclearization and settle permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. A range of measures can also be discussed to prevent accidental military conflicts, ease military tension and build trust.
QUESTION 13: What specifically will be discussed to enhance inter-Korean relations?
ANSWER: At the inter-Korean summit, issues regarding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the settlement of peace and the enhancement of inter-Korean relations will be discussed in a balanced manner. For the promotion of better inter-Korean relations, overall issues such as inter-Korean talks, exchanges and cooperation as well as humanitarian concerns are expected to be discussed.
QUESTION 14: What measures will need to be taken for agreements between the two Koreas to continue to be valid?
ANSWER: The ROK Government is reviewing a range of measures for agreements between the two Koreas to be consistently implemented without being influenced by external factors such as the change of Administration. Pursuant to Article 21, Paragraph 3 of the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, South-North Korean agreements, which incur heavy financial burdens or require legislation, will be ratified by the National Assembly to ensure they will be implemented in a faithful manner.
QUESTION 15: There are concerns that the inter-Korean summit will not have any substantive outcomes as it was agreed upon in such a short time.
ANSWER: The inter-Korean summit was not agreed upon in a short time without any preparation. Beginning with the Berlin Initiative, the South Korean Government has proposed consistent policies toward the North and sought positive responses from it. It seems that North Korea has some areas of common understanding with the South on the direction of South Korea’s policies and that is why the North responded to the proposal for inter-Korean talks. Successfully carrying out inter-Korean talks in late April and the following summit between the United States and North Korea will be an important turning point on issues regarding the Peninsula and inter-Korean relations.
QUESTION 16: How would you realize the New Economic Map Initiative for the Korean Peninsula considering current inter-Korean relations?
ANSWER: With strong international sanctions against the North still intact at present, it is true that there are substantial limits to the type of economic cooperation projects South Korea can pursue together with the North.
Nevertheless, we are seeking to realize the New Economic Map Initiative for the Korean Peninsula while trying to create the possible conditions on the Korean Peninsula bearing in mind that an economic approach will be necessary to create a peaceful environment.
Under these circumstances, we are approaching the issue from the position that we can review potential projects we can do independently and later let the North participate if there is a substantive progress toward a solution to the nuclear issue.
QUESTION 17: Will inter-Korean economic cooperation such as the resumption of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC) be discussed?
ANSWER: It would be possible only when there is actual progress in solving the North Korean nuclear issue. Although we are internally making preparations considering that a bright future could be opened together if the North gives up its nuclear programs, we need more time before starting full-fledged discussions.
QUESTION 18: North Korea proposed a phased approach as it has in the past in response to South Korea’s position in favor of a package deal. Will it make North Korean nuclear negotiations more complicated?
ANSWER: It is not appropriate to make presuppositions about what will unfold in the future. It is anticipated that measures to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue will be discussed through the process of talks between the two Koreas and between Washington and Pyeongyang.
QUESTION 19: Is it likely that South Korea’s strategy of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through the inter-Korean summit and a U.S.-North Korea summit might be disrupted by the recent China-North Korea summit? Is there any possibility of resuming the Six-Party Talks, not talks among South and North Korea and the United States?
ANSWER: On many occasions, including the recent Pyeongyang-Beijing summit, China has been playing an active constructive role in bringing North Korea back to the negotiating table for denuclearization in addition to its contributions to the success of the upcoming inter-Korean summit and a U.S.-North Korea summit.
The ROK Government will continue close consultations with China. For now, it intends to channel its diplomatic efforts into making the inter-Korean summit and the U.S.-North Korea summit a success. Provided that there is any progress in the situation, various channels of dialogue might be possible.
QUESTION 20: Won’t the South Korean Government’s sanctions against the North loosen in the wake of the inter-Korean summit and the U.S.-North Korea summit?
ANSWER: The ROK Government will strive to create a milestone in denuclearization and the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula through the success of the two upcoming summits. In doing so, it will also continue to work closely together with the international community for the faithful implementation of the sanctions against the North unless there is substantial progress in the denuclearization of the North.
QUESTION 21: In regards to discussions over the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula in the months to come, what would be responses to possible demands that could compromise the ROK-U.S. alliance such as no deployment of U.S. strategic assets, the reduction or cessation of ROK-U.S. joint military drills and the withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from South Korea?
ANSWER: The ROK-U.S. alliance, which is the foundation of South Korea’s diplomatic and security policies and the linchpin for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the Asia Pacific, has contributed to the prosperity of the region. Based on the ironclad combined defense posture, South Korea and the United States will closely cooperate with each other in the process of discussions over the denuclearization and settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula, including through inter-Korean talks and dialogue between North Korea and the United States.
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