Some analysts still believe negotiations and diplomacy, even though a “long-shot,” could freeze and eventually roll-back the Sŏn’gun Korean nuclear program, if only the United States had the will to talk to the DPRK. Hypothetically, if the U.S. were “to address Sŏn’gun Korea’s security concerns,” the leadership could be persuaded to freeze and eventually dismantle its nuclear arsenal.

Analysts continue to assume a diplomatic solution is achievable even though “Washington may find it repugnant to deal with the Kim regime.” This all sounds reasonable to those who have been socialized in western liberal democracies.