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The U.S. Perspective on the Six Party Talks

As the United States moves forward into a new round of Six Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear program, it is likely to place an emphasis on caution.

by Lora Saalman

published by

CNTV

on February 22, 2012

Source: CNTV

Carnegie’s Lora Saalman sat down with CNTV to discuss the latest round of Six Party talks taking place in Beijing. This is the first time that American negotiators will sit down and talk to the North Korean leadership since the death of Kim Jong Il.

Saalman explained that the U.S. negotiators will go into these talks with an emphasis on caution. Although this time there is a new leader, Kim Jung Un is likely still surrounded by the same coterie of people so it is doubtful that there will be any real changes in policy. Indeed, since Kim Jung Un’s legitimacy has not yet been fully established domestically, it is probable that the regime will “take a stronger stance and make more harsh pronouncements,” Saalman said, since the nuclear program has been a big part of the incumbent regime’s legitimacy.

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.