THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 15 JULY 2019 (Trump in North Korea (The Hindu))

Trump in North Korea (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2: International Relations
Prelims level: Demilitarised zone
Mains level: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s
interests

Context

• U.S. President Donald Trump made history when he stepped on to North Korean soil from the demilitarised zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas.
• The U.S. President appears committed to diplomacy in dealing with North Korea.

Significance

• Stability in Korean peninsula and containing the threat of North-Korea’s Nuclear ventures are the two things that makes the president's visit significant.
• Further, he is the only American President to have visited North Korea, the isolated, nuclear-armed dictatorship that is historically seen as an enemy in Washington’s policy establishment.
• North Korea seized the opportunity, and both leaders met at the DMZ, held talks for nearly an hour and decided to resume parleys that have stalled since the two leaders’ failed summit in Hanoi.
• Both Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim have met and decided to set up teams on both sides to hold negotiations, the impasse is broken. But key challenges remain.
• Pyongyang, though often cryptic in its responses, has also shown interest in staying engaged with the U.S. Mr. Kim has, in principle, agreed to denuclearize the peninsula, which is the goal of the U.S. as well.

US-North Korea Negotiations

• North Korea had agreed to close down the Yongbyon facility, its main nuclear fuel production site.
• But, the U.S. rejected the offer, saying the North’s nuclear capability is now much more diversified and goes beyond that one plant.
• When they resume talks, the question of how much the North should compromise to get at least a partial reprieve from sanctions will be back. If the U.S. sticks to its maximalist demands such as complete denuclearisation, the talks are likely to run into trouble again.
• Here, nuclear weapons are its insurance against potential external aggression, and it would accede to total denuclearization only if its security concerns are ensured and sanctions are fully withdrawn. Both sides should learn from their failure in Hanoi. They can take small steps towards the final goal.

Way forward

• In sum, The U.S. could demand a total freeze on North Korea’s nuclear activities, besides shutting down Yongbyon, which the North has already agreed to, in return for providing
  partial reprieve from sanctions.
• Constructive and reciprocal confidence-building measures can make sure that the efforts will not go waste.

  Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

  General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), consider the following statements:
1. The Government of India has recently banned a separatist group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), on grounds of secessionism.
2. The secessionist campaign, called ‘Referendum 2020’, seeks to “liberate Punjab from Indian occupation”.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None

Answer: C
Mains Questions:
Q.1) The U.S. President appears committed to diplomacy in dealing with North Korea. Comment.