Analysis and Prospect of Stockholm Negotiations: Focusing on the U.S. Perceptions

[Current Issues and Policies] 2019-21

Dr. Woo Jung-yeop

Research Fellow, the Sejong Institute

woo@sejong.org

Executive Summary

This article aims to diagnose the future negotiation prospects of the U.S. and North Korea after the recent breakdown of the Stockholm Negotiations. The U.S. and North Korea are having difficulty in Official negotiations held between the U.S. and North Korea regarding denuclearization and are having difficulties in reaching an agreement. It is because both parties have not yet agreed upon the exact meaning and conditions of some key phrases such as “end state,” and “denuclearization.” What the US had in mind at the Stockholm Negotiation was that once the two parties agree on North Korea’s end state conditions, the US will be able to gain flexibility in forming the road map to denuclearization. However, North Korea provided an abstract definition of “Youngbyun” in exchange for a specified definition of “sanction relief.” Consequently, North Korea made it more difficult for the two parties to discuss the issues of the existing nuclear weapons and its current production capacity. It seems apparent that even Washington is skeptical at the possibility of North Korea resuming the talks. The US seems to believe that the future of the negotiation lies in the hands of North Korea. Thus, as long as North Korea does not show any meaningful changes in its attitude, the US will most likely consider the purpose of negotiations as a mere means to maintain status quo.

※ Translator’s note: This is a summarized unofficial translation of the original paper which was written in Korean. All references should be made to the original paper.

※ This article is written based on the author’s personal opinions and does not reflect the views of the Sejong Institute.

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