The "Libyan Method"

Trump is singularly unprepared to negotiate with North Korea. In fact, he said he isn't going there to negotiate, but rather it's just a meeting. South Korea, North Korea, and China, have proposed a common idea for a resolution of the nuclear weapons issue in North Korea. Those plans include step by step procedures to denuclearize, accompanied by reciprocal consideration from the US, S.Korea and the international community to build trust. The US has no plan, they have simply made a unilateral ultimatum. Bolton has stated that it's a good thing to get the meeting out of the way, so they can get on with it. As far as talks go, he proposes a so called "Libyan method." When can we come in and dismantle everything nuclear along with all your missiles? There is according to Bolton, nothing else to discuss. Just calling it the "Libyan" method, means it won't be accepted and predetermines the outcome. The North Koreans have already stated they won't accept such a method. So this is more like the express train to war in northeast Asia.


The US demand is complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization, with no discussion of US reciprocity in the process. That's an ultimatum. Right now the North Korean purpose is to get the US to accept a three phased approach, freeze, reduce, eliminate, (nuclear weapons infrastructure and capabilities) with good faith US/ROK reciprocity at each step. This is what the South Korean's had envisioned at the beginning, though it was never mentioned in the western press. Clearly this is the point of contention with the maximum pressure, nothing conceded till you completely capitulate US demand. China has acted to protect its own national security interests in the region against US threats of war. It is weighing in on behalf of the north.

A Channel A Youtube from South Korea, published on April 1, showed the respective positions of the four states, North and South Korea, China and the US. The US position was first eliminate your nuclear infrastructure, later reward. The other three states all envisaged a phased approach to build trust and accomplish complex tasks. The South Koreans see a single agreement for denuclearization,  followed by steps for implementation. The North Koreans and Chinese see a phased step by step approach, accompanied by simultaneous reciprocal acts by the US, South Korea, and the international community.

Finally, the Blue House, has issued a public statement saying the "Libyan method" is impossible (불가능 不可能) and that the US must demonstrate flexibility.