Serious PRC: Kim Chi new president may surrender to Kim Jong Nuke!

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http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/eas...ot-china-daily


New South Korean leader may help untie peninsula's Gordian knot: China Daily
South Korean President Moon Jae In leaving the National Assembly in Seoul after his inauguration ceremony.
South Korean President Moon Jae In leaving the National Assembly in Seoul after his inauguration ceremony.PHOTO: REUTERS
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1 hour ago
In its editorial on May 11, the paper says that freshly elected South Korean President Moon Jae In's milder approach to North Korea may be the key to easing tension in the region.

BEIJING (CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Almost all of a sudden, the apparently imminent danger of a military showdown on the Korean Peninsula seems to have evaporated into thin air.

A government delegation from North Korea talked with American political experts in Oslo, Norway, on Monday (Monday 8) through Tuesday.

Then on Wednesday, the freshly elected Moon Jae In, who advocates engagement with Pyongyang, was sworn in as the new president of South Korea.

At least for now, a temporary relaxation in the once inflammable tensions in the area looks credible, thanks to such precious highlights in the bleak geopolitical landscape of North-east Asia.
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Even better, the region has a precious opportunity to heal some of its most damaging recent rifts.

Although Pyongyang keeps clamouring it will conduct its sixth nuclear test "at any time", and it is ready to enter a nuclear duel with the United States. Although Washington has distanced itself from the Oslo talks, and ruled out any change to its preoccupation with "maximum pressures" on North Korea. And although it remains to be seen how far Moon can overcome the potential drags at home in Parliament, where his party lacks a majority, when he does reach out to North Korea.

Given US President Donald Trump's recent indication of his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who knows whether or not the informal contact in Oslo will pave the way for more formal, direct engagement?

After all, the White House has left that door open; Pyongyang craves it; Beijing would welcome it; and it would certainly be in Seoul's interests. Coordination with Washington then will be Moon's foremost foreign policy challenge.

Since it is anticipated he will take a milder approach to North Korea than his predecessor, he will have to first straighten things out with decision-makers in Washington, who until now have favoured imposing further isolation and sanctions.

Moon's expressed disfavour toward the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) anti-missile system is certainly conducive to his aspiration for repairing his country's strained ties with China. It is hoped that he has the ability to manoeuvre a meaningful change to the current impasse.

Yet if their shared interest in peacefully denuclearising the peninsula does lead to constructive interaction among stakeholders, and the threat from across the 38th Parallel diminishes, Moon surely can make a stronger case for removing Thaad.

For if Thaad is meant solely and specifically to address escalating threats from North Korea, why should it stay if such threats de-escalate?

China Daily is a member of The Straits Times media partner Asia News Network, an alliance of 22 news media entitites.


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