March 29, 2024
Opinion

The fifth inter-Korean summit: more than just useful political theater?

Keeping Trump happy was an important consideration, but some progress has also been made

At first glance, the results of this week's Pyongyang summit can be divided into three categories. First, there are agreements and gestures which are largely or exclusively symbolic, and whose major goal is to maintain the spirit of optimism and the impression that progress is being made towards denuclearization. This impression is wrong, but both sides have good reason to heavily invest in keeping it alive.

Second, there are agreements (well, perhaps only one) which deal with important issues and are likely to make a difference.

Become a member for less than $4 per week.

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.