Kerry impressed the NORKs during the Iranian nuclear talks.
Famine and economic depression haven’t been enough in the last seven years to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table over its weapons program — not as long as its military has enough resources to keep the Kim dynasty in power.
North Korea sees any threat to “songun” — the reclusive communist country’s military-first system — as making the nation vulnerable to invasion. To outside observers, destabilization of the powerful military threatens the Kim family regime’s hold on power.
In 2000 and subsequent years, North Korea agreed to landmark talks with South Korea and four other allied nations, but only following years of disastrous food shortages and economic deprivation that United Nations reports say killed hundreds of thousands of people. In exchange, Pyongyang had international bank accounts unfrozen, gained foreign cash and received more humanitarian aid.[…]
Today, North Korea faces the prospect of another significant food shortage and a purported loss of income from China, its largest trading partner and closest among precious few allies.
But are things so bad right now that Pyongyang will be willing to discuss its nuclear weapons program?
“North Korea says its nuclear program means its life,” said Kang Sung Kyu, professor of North Korea Studies at Korea University in Sejong-shi.
Kang is skeptical that North Korea is serious about negotiations, or that any agreements would stand — a valid concern, given how previous deals have fallen apart as Pyongyang repeatedly reneged on key points in the past.
It’s also unclear what role China might play in North Korea’s decision-making.[..]
Still, The Washington Post and others have reported that U.S. and North Korean officials had been having “talks about talks.” That would mark something of a turnaround for President Barack Obama’s policy of “strategic patience,” which has fundamentally meant no engagement with North Korea.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson believes there is value in talking with North Korea, he told Foreign Policy recently during an interview.