[interview] 'there's No Way Out If Us Sees Nk Through Its Frame'

Moon's top aide hits US's crime and punishment point of view

By Kim Bo-eun, Kim Yoo-chul

Differences between South Korea and the United States on how to push North Korea's denuclearization are standing out more than ever as progress is being seen in inter-Korean relations.

Only a year ago, North Korea was conducting missile tests, prompting fears of war But icy relations began to thaw with the North's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics early this year

The budding detente bloomed into three summits between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in six months, which produced agreements on ending the 1950-53 Korean War within the year and setting up buffer zones along the border area to ease military tension.

Amid such developments, the Moon administration has begun to take a more proactive stance in inter-Korean matters, stating advancement in relations between the South and North can help bring progress in Pyongyang's denuclearization.

This is creating a rift with the US, as it remains firm in its stance that progress in inter-Korean affairs and denuclearization should complement each other

Washington remains largely skeptical of the North Korean leader's intention to denuclearize.

Amid these circumstances, a special adviser to the President stated a paradigm shift may be necessary.

'The US views North Korea in the frame of crime and punishment ―- this is its social construct of reality that North Korea cheats and lies,' Moon Chung-in, a special presidential adviser for unification, diplomacy and national security affairs, told The Korea Times in an interview at his office last week.

'But if it only looks at Pyongyang through this frame there is no way out. There needs to be a more pragmatic, flexible approach to North Korea'

Stalled talks

Moon attributes the stall in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the US to differences surrounding when to lift sanctions.

'Basically the stance of the US is that sanctions will be lifted when North Korea achieves complete denuclearization, which North Korea cannot accept,' he said.

He pointed out that while Pyongyang initially called only for a declaration ending the war, it is now stating this is not enough because Kim offered to permanently dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear facility in his third summit with Moon held in Pyongyang.

The US, meanwhile, wants North Korea to disclose its nuclear arsenal and submit to inspections, the adviser said.

However, Pyongyang...