Pyongyang's test of Washington's intent

In yet another show of its disgruntlement, if not outright anger, over a perceived lack of sincerity by Washington on the Korean Peninsula denuclearization process, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea announced on Sunday that it carried out a "very important test" at a long-range rocket launch site aimed at "changing the strategic position" of the DPRK.

The test was the latest in a series of short-range missile and other weapon launches Pyongyang has conducted in recent months, all for the purpose of alerting Washington that their diplomatic rapprochement needed life support. That process, started in June 2018 with face-to-face talks between DPRK top leader Kim Jongun and US President Donald Trump－the first of their kind, which were followed by two more meetings between them－yielded a lot of media attention but no progress toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The increasingly restless stance Pyongyang has taken can be attributed to a deep sense of betrayal it has felt. Since the DPRK stopped its nuclear and long-range missile tests and started dismantling a rocket engine-testing stand and other facilities in 2018, it has not gained much in return from the United States except a lot of empty talk of helping it release its "tremendous "economic potential.

The economic sanctions imposed on it remain in place, and the military exercises between the US and the Republic of Korea continue, albeit on a smaller scale. The sense of insecurity felt by the DPRK has been heightened by occasional US talk of possible "military action", as Trump again threatened during the NATO summit in the United Kingdom last week.

The US has demanded greater evidence that the DPRK is prepared to reduce its nuclear arsenal, something that is becoming impossible now, especially after the trust that has been built between them is fast waning. The DPRK seems ready to further push the envelope on the nuclear issue if the US continues to drag its feet on easing the DPRK's existential concerns. Pyongyang has set Washington a Dec 31 deadline to do something tangible to restart the stalled talks.

Yet it is still too early to predict an end to the nuclear détente despite the recent provocative moves made by the DPRK. After all, the country still observes a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests. That Pyongyang stopped short of saying what the latest test included indicates it still leaves some leeway for resumption of dialogue with Washington.

The US should carefully heed the signal sent by the DPRK and restart its engagement with it to keep the hopes of denuclearization alive.