We are going to get an expert’s perspective on a packed week of diplomacy in Korea.
Joining us live on Skype is Doctor Mark P. Barry, an independent Asian affairs analyst with 30 years of experience on matters related to the Koreas, Northeast Asia and U.S.-policy in the region.
Mark, the top diplomats of South Korea and Japan are due to meet in Beijing as Seoul and Tokyo remained locked in a dispute over trade and historical issues. How do you expect the talks to go and are you concerned South Korea might announce this weekend its intent to withdraw from its General Security of Military Information Agreement (GEE-SO-MIA) with Japan if the meeting aggravates an already precarious situation?
Since these talks are happening in Beijing, do you expect China to use its regional influence to act as a mediator in the Seoul-Tokyo trade dispute? And in regards to the other big player - the U.S. - do you think Washington HAS to step up to the plate to stop Beijing capitalizing on the weakness being shown by the Trump administration’s inaction on this issue?
I’d like to turn to the break down of peace talks between the two Koreas after Pyongyang reacted angrily to the recent Seoul-Washington joint drills and President Moon’s National Liberation Day speech on last week - just walk us through why this process, that seemed to be going so well in 2018, has ended so abruptly.
The U.S. envoy on North Korea is in Seoul as we speak. It seems like diplomacy between the North and the U.S. is on shaky ground - despite what President Trump says. Where do you see this process heading, especially given that Trump wants to get re-elected next year and doesn’t want his unconventional North Korea policy to blow up in his face.
Thank you for your insights, Mark. Very informative. Thanks.