The New South Korean president during his inauguration ceremony offered North Korea economic aid on the condition if its denuclearises itself.
Yoon Suk Yeol said on Tuesday that North Korea’s nuclear programme is a big threat but he is ready to provide an “audacious economic plan if the North is committed to denuclearisation.”
Yoon has won a closely contested election in March fighting from the main conservative People Power Party. He is a new entrant in politics, having 26 years of experience as a prosecutor.
He has signalled a stronger and determined policy toward North Korea. The point is if there is a preemptive strike, there are going to be grave consequences for North Korea.
Adding to the argument to avoid catastrophic fate, he wants to take the path of amicably resolving the issues through talks.
He added, “ while North Korea’s nuclear weapons programmes pose a threat not only to our security but also to the security of Northeast Asia.”
North Korea has been conducting missile tests aggressively. The latest is a short-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from waters in the Shinpo area toward its east coast on May 7. This information was conveyed by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Yoon had made promises of being tough with North Korea during his campaign. Resolution through the talks is the first classic trick from the playbook that any strong leader tries. Comparing it to the Indian prime minister he even took an unplanned visit to Pakistan but when things didn’t work out, he didn’t shy away from using other gimmicks also. President Yoon may also change his attitude if talks don’t work out.
Can North Korea be persuaded to give up its nuclear weapons?
In recent years Donald Trump made an effort and North Koreans looked interested in reaching some kind of agreement for their benefit but eventually talks collapsed. Former President Moon Jae had helped in brokering the summits between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.
Since then distrust is growing wider and wider and that doesn’t help with conducting talks.
In all seriousness, there is very little possibility of North Korea giving up its nuclear programme for aid. Economic development is not an issue when the country is run by an authoritarian leader from the same family for decades. They have more to lose than gain.
North Koreans are living in archaic times. Opening up to the world is the only way they can develop economically and come out of their archaic system. It is almost certain that people are gonna overthrow the monarchy once they realise the truth about their dystopian state. Therefore, it is not a lucrative offer for Kim Jong to denuclearize the country for aid.
“North Korea has the initiative. Regardless of whether conservatives or liberals are in power in South Korea, North Korea is pressing ahead with missile tests under its own weapon development timetable before entries to tip the balance later. North Korea will now continue its provocations, but there are no ways to stop it.” commented a professor at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul.
What lies ahead for the new president?
The South Korean president has a tedious task ahead of him. His approval rating is around 41 per cent which is pretty low for a new president settling in. One of the reasons for his unpopularity is his decision to move the presidential office from the decades-old Blue House to the former defence ministry in downtown Seoul.
President Yoon has inherited an economy ridden with economic woes, supply chain issues and new armed conflicts and wars.
In addition, the power centre of the world is shifting. After the Russia Ukraine war, there have been speculations about the Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Chinese bonhomie with North Koreans would not help the South Koreans in case of conflict blowing out of proportion which they usually do.
South Korea has witnessed dramatic progress in the last couple of decades. President Yoon has to preserve that progress, above all making sure that geopolitical conflicts don’t revert that progress.
Edited by: Aaradhana Singh
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