Negotiating with North Korea in the Shadow of Great Power Rivalry
The United States and South Korea have converged on the idea of dialogue with North Korea.
President Donald Trump has repeated his intention to meet North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, while Elbridge Colby, the current undersecretary of defense for policy, expressed support in December 2024 for focusing on “limiting the range of North Korean [intercontinental ballistic missiles].”
During the recent U.S.-South Korean summit in late August, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also asked Trump to play a role in making peace in the Korean Peninsula, including efforts to hold a future U.S.-North Korean summit.
The United States and South Korea agreed to pursue the denuclearization of North Korea in a phased manner.
Author's summary: US and South Korea aim for dialogue with North Korea.