DPRK wants US to focus on peace process

Editor's note: On Friday, Democratic People's Republic of Korea Vice-Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui said that the country is considering suspending talks with the United States and may rethink a freeze on missile and nuclear tests unless Washington makes concessions. China Daily reporter Li Yang comments:

With the sanctions initiated by the US having pushed the DPRK's economy to the verge of collapse, it is understandable that Pyongyang has taken the lead to break the silence that both sides have carefully kept since the meeting between their leaders late last month in Hanoi. Both sides remained tacit about what they discussed, knowing the unexpected breakdown of the meeting was caused by external factors.

But although securing a solution to the Korean Peninsula issue is on the US president's to-do list, it is apparently not as high a priority as it is to his DPRK counterpart.

In airing the views, Choe's main purpose is likely not to only express Pyongyang's discontent with US' lack of deeds, but also aimed at spurring the US to focus on what comes next.

A new missile or nuclear test is by no means Pyongyang's true intention, but a bid to urge Washington to demonstrate more reciprocal pragmatism and respond to the actions Pyongyang has taken since the two leaders' meeting in Singapore last year.

It is good that the US and the Republic of Korea decided earlier this month to cancel their three military exercises planned for this year. But that's far from enough to meet Pyongyang's needs. While laying almost all its cards on table, Pyongyang looks forward to expediting the negotiations to obtain a security guarantee, and more importantly to pave the way for the development of its national economy.

The two leaders' meetings have undoubtedly deepened their mutual understanding and mutual trust. But although that is a very important beginning, the estrangement and misperception between the two countries, particularly among officials and militaries of the two sides, cannot be dissolved or even eased with the "chemistry" of the two leaders.

The US should demonstrate more understanding and respond to Choe's words in the right way. It should not interpret them as a signal that Pyongyang is returning to its old ways, but rather view them in the way they were intended as a solicitation for a breakthrough. Pyongyang's impatience stems from the needs of its people.

Other parties, including China and the Republic of Korea, should support the peace process by trying to deepen mutual understanding between Pyongyang and Washington and ensuring there is no misunderstanding.