James L. Schoff, Associate Director of Asia-Pacific Studies at IFPA, Charles M. Perry, Vice President and Director of Studies at IFPA, and Jacquelyn K. Davis, Executive Vice President of IFPA, write, “Building a multilateral response for future stability in East Asia is not a way for the United States, or China, or any other country to abdicate responsibility for North Korea’s nuclear challenge. In fact, it is the growing convergence of interests amongst the countries involved (particularly between China and the United States) to strengthen regional and global non-proliferation norms that could potentially bind the nations of Northeast Asia closer together on security issues, rather than divide them into two separate camps.”

Leonid A. Petrov, Research Associate in the Division of Pacific and Asian History at Australian National University, writes, “Differences in political views and economic systems must not divide but should rather enhance the value of partnership and help complement each other’s strengths. By intensifying diplomatic ties, expanding economic cooperation and providing humanitarian aid both countries can make a significant contribution to the peaceful resolution of the Korean nuclear problem and prepare the basis for durable peace and prosperity in the region.”

This trip report by Keith Luse, Senior Professional Staff Member in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, notes discussions with DPRK officials over the countries nuclear program. The report includes the comment, “One million tons of HFO was committed, with one-half to be delivered in-kind. Five hundred thousand tons of HFO (in equivalent), should have been delivered in equipment and materials. Only two hundred thousand tons of HFO has been delivered so far. We are adjusting the speed of disablement to the speed of the five parties”.