[Editorial] Easing UN sanctions on N. Korea a potential way to accelerate denuclearization

South Korean President Moon Jae-in gives a speech on the necessary efforts for inter-Korean peace after a special mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula officiated by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at the Vatican on Oct. 17. (Blue House photo pool)

While visiting the Vatican, in Rome, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said, “Formally declaring the end of war on the Korean Peninsula and signing a peace treaty will dismantle the last Cold War alignment on earth. The division [of the peninsula] will certainly be overcome.”

Following a special mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula arranged by the Vatican, Moon delivered a commemorative speech in which he mentioned how South and North Korea had adopted the Pyongyang Joint Declaration and vowed to make a “Korean Peninsula that is peaceful and free of nuclear weapons.”

Moon essentially chose the highly symbolic Vatican to emphasize his commitment to denuclearization and peace-building on the Korean Peninsula.

What is particularly striking about Moon’s actions during his tour of Europe is his mention of easing sanctions on North Korea. “If we conclude that North Korea’s steps toward denuclearization have reached a point that is irrevocable, we should further promote North Korea’s denuclearization by easing UN sanctions,” Moon said during his summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, calling on France to play a leading role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Moon also brought up the issue of easing sanctions in a previous interview with the BBC. We believe that this will contribute positively to convincing the international community that easing sanctions is an element that will promote denuclearization. Such efforts are also commendable since they could lead the international community to create a friendly environment that would encourage North Korea to be more proactive about taking steps toward denuclearization.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin after a special mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula at the Vatican on Oct. 17. (Blue House photo pool)

It’s true that some Americans are warning that Moon’s actions are going too far. This caution is evident in remarks made on Oct. 17 by US Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris, who emphasized that inter-Korean dialogue should be linked to denuclearization and that South Korea and the US should speak “with a common voice.”

But focusing solely on American public opinion and the view of certain members of the US administration could cause everyone to make the mistake of assuming that denuclearization has to be complete before sanctions can be lifted. Rather than facilitating denuclearization, that’s only likely to obstruct it.

That’s why the remarks made in Washington on Oct. 16 by South Korean Ambassador to the US Cho Yoon-je are so noteworthy. Responding to criticism that inter-Korean relations are moving too quickly, Cho said, “The position of this government is that the development of inter-Korean relations needs to move forward along with the process of denuclearization and that international sanctions must be implemented faithfully.”

At the same time, Cho stressed that “it could be helpful for North Korea-US negotiations if inter-Korean relations to get a little ahead of the negotiations.” Looking back on the process of the inter-Korean summits and the North Korea-US negotiations that have taken place this year, Cho’s remarks seem reasonable and practical.

Even though the date and location of the upcoming second North Korea-US summit have not been finalized, North Korea is using various channels to ask for sanctions to be relaxed in exchange for denuclearization. Considering that negotiations start with the assumption of the other side’s good faith, Moon’s remarks about easing sanctions can be regarded as timely. While remaining in close cooperation with the US about every matter, Seoul needs to remain in the driver’s seat on the Korean Peninsula. As such, it must not stop taking the lead in offering advice that can help facilitate North Korea’s denuclearization and in making an effort to bring related countries on board.

A copy of “Mass for Peace on the Korean Peninsula” published by the Vatican.

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