The Perspective from Pyongyang: Limits of Compromise. Issue 6 (2nd November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lankov, Andrei
• Is Part Of: Survival. Volume 63:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2021-11-02
• Subjects: North Korea -- Pyongyang -- Kim Jong-un -- South Korea -- Korean Peninsula -- nuclear weapons -- arms control -- denuclearisation -- sanctions -- unification -- special economic zones; Strategy -- Periodicals; Military policy -- Periodicals; Disarmament -- Periodicals; Stratégie -- Périodiques; Politique militaire -- Périodiques; Désarmement -- Périodiques; 355.02
• DOI: 10.1080/00396338.2021.2006447
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0039-6338

Abstract

Abstract: The denuclearisation of North Korea is unlikely. Neither pressure nor rewards will persuade North Korean decision-makers to surrender their nuclear weapons because they have good reasons to see denuclearisation as tantamount to collective suicide. Therefore, the only realistic goal of the United States and the international community is arms control. There are ways to reward North Korean leaders for their willingness to restrict their nuclear and missile programmes. These include partial removal of sanctions, economic assistance and subsidised investment. However, any deal will be costly, since North Korea will exact maximum compensation for its willingness to accept an arms-control regime. Reaching an agreement also will be time consuming. A grand bargain is unattainable, and the parties will have to take small, incremental steps.