Korean Leaders Gear Up for a Pyongyang Summit Amid US Numbness
The two Koreas are lining up a high‑stakes face‑to‑face in Pyongyang from September 18 to 20 this year. It’s the third meeting between North’s Kim Jong Un and South’s President Moon Jae‑in—a trip that could finally start the long‑journey toward a nuclear‑free peninsula.
Why the Heat Is On
After a fireworks‑packed summit in Singapore, both sides were left a bit raw with no concrete steps agreed on. The US has kept pushing for a hard‑ball deal: full, verifiable dismantlement that’s irreversible. Pyongyang, on the other hand, feels the demands are too scary big on the world stage.
Meanwhile, the North sent a bomb‑tastic message of frustration to Washington. Trump’s team scrunched their budget because of that, canceling Secretary Mike Pompeo‘s trip, and the US feels a bit at a loss.
The Plan for Pyongyang
- Practical Moves: Kim and Moon want to hash out specific, doable actions to scrub the zone of nukes.
- South’s Diplomacy Push: Korean National Security Advisor Chung Eui‑yong flew to Pyongyang, delivering a heartfelt letter from Moon to Kim. It’s all about reigniting the dialogue that sparkled in June with President Trump.
- North’s Retraction: Despite the setbacks, Kim re‑asserted his readiness to denuclearise, even pumping up his “trust in Trump.”
- South’s Emotional Angle: Moon’s team emphasised the Korean warriors on both sides – both want the region turned into a “cradle of peace” free from nuclear threats.
Smaller Triumphs, Big Gaps
Kim claims the North dismantled its nuclear test site in Punggye‑ri— a major milestone that’s on the table now. However, the US keeps demanding on‑site verification.
Professor Lim Eul‑chul of Kyungnam University notes the gap is still huge: “North’s ‘goodwill’ (like tearing up a missile test stand) vs. US’s insistence on full verification.”
War Declaration Twists
North Korea wants Washington to call the Korean War a formal end— a move that could shake how the US and South Korean forces collaborate. Some in the US and conservative circles worry it might undermine their alliance, but Kim dismisses that fear. He says it’s merely a test: “If Washington is truly moving it forward, they should accept a formal end.”
Bottom Line
In the weeks leading up to the Pyongyang summit, the world will be watching a suit‑and‑tie drama unfold. Will the two leaders finally get past the diplomatic dance floor’s awkward step, or will the US convoy stroll away without a new treaty in sight? Only time— and a few well‑timed in‑person conversations— will tell.
