North and South Korea Agree to Talks For the First Time in Years

On Tuesday, January 8th, delegates from North and South Korea met to begin a fresh round of military de-escalation talks in over two years. Both countries shared a common desire to thaw the icy relations that dominate the peninsula. Officials met face-to-face in Panmunjom, known as the “Truce Village,” in the demilitarized zone between the two countries (CNN).

North Korea quickly agreed to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics next month in Seoul, which will include athletes, spectators, North Korean press members, a cheer team, and more. After further discussions, both parties agreed to talk about other possible ways to improve relations with decreasing military tensions and reinstating the hotline (NPR). The idea of possible family reunions was also given out as both militaries begin to talk (CNN). Easing military tensions is of the utmost importance with the Olympics coming up, as South Korea does not want the North to interfere with the event with another nuclear test.

However, North Korea remains staunch in its position that denuclearization is not on the negotiation table (Reuters). The Chief Negotiator for North Korea, Ri Son Swon, assured the South Korea delegation that all nuclear weapons and missiles are “only aimed at the United States, not our brethren, nor China and Russia” (NPR). This may prove to be a point of high contention as the US is extremely opposed to North Korea possessing any kind of nuclear warhead.

There is still hope that North Korea’s compliance and participation in the Winter Olympics in Seoul will spur more development in de-escalation and further reconciliation between the two Koreas. Only time may tell whether or not this round of talks will lead to any lasting developments.