South Korean President Lee Myung-bak says six-party talks are the best route to denuclearization of
North Korea (Yonhap)
. He also called on Pyongyang to acknowledge previous commitments and abandon its nuclear program within one year. Talks between the six-party nations--United States, Japan, South Korea, Russia, China, and North Korea--have been stalled for two years
,
and North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island last month, killing South Korean civilians, intensified tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Reaching a
viable rapprochement (
WashPost
)
for the peninsula is likely to be a primary topic of discussion when President Obama hosts a summit with Chinese President Hu Jintao in January.
Despite its call for increased diplomacy, Seoul officially defines North Korea as an
"enemy" (
BusinessWeek
)
and has promised to strengthen its military and respond more harshly to any future attacks. In a defense ministry report, South Korea says it will seek a more active military deterrence including the
"early fortification" (Xinhua)
of islands deemed vulnerable to the North's aggression.
Analysis:
This CFR Report from Paul B. Stares, Director of the Center for Preventive Action, suggests further provocations by North Korea as well as other dangerous military interactions on or around the Korean peninsula remain a serious risk and carry the danger of
unintended escalation
.
Leon V. Sigal, Director of the Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project, calls for the United States and South Korea to support a
peace process
and political and economic engagement with North Korea.
This article by CFR Fellow Josh Kurlantzick featured in the
New Republic
examines the links between North Korea and a potential nuclear and
missile program in Burma
.
Background:
This CFR Special Report discusses the challenges posed by
North Korea
and its controversial nuclear program.