By J. Berkshire Miller
There have been some positive signals lately from North Korea that it’s willing to blunt years of intransigence and engage with the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency on its nuclear weapons program.
Last month’s bilateral deal with the U.S., in which Pyongyang agreed to suspend its uranium enrichment activities and implement a moratorium on its long range missile and nuclear tests in exchange for 240,000 tons of food aid, brings hope to concerned regional powers that the North might be willing to return the stalled Six-Party Talks with transparency and an eagerness to strike a deal.
But despite this slight thaw, reports indicate that the Japanese government will extend its existing sanctions on North Korea, citing a lack of progress on resolving the issue of the return of its abducted nationals. Tokyo often channels its North Korea policy in silos, separating Pyongyang’s nuclear program from its bilateral dispute with the regime over the return of its kidnapped citizens. However, the issue has proven difficult to compartmentalize and continues to stymie Japan’s ability to become a meaningful player in international efforts aimed at nudging the North back to the diplomatic table.
Read the full story at The Diplomat