Experts talk expectations for inter-Korean summit

남북정상회담 전망 토론회... 정상회담 합의 수준은?

At the main press center, various sessions are being held with experts for their take on the inter-Korean summit and what to expect.
Watchers say... shutting down the regime's nuclear facilities and freezing its missiles and nuclear tests... is clearly not the same thing as a "complete denuclearization."
Kim Min-ji with more.
The eyes of the world will be on the Korean Peninsula on Friday as the leaders of South and North Korea sit down for talks.
What kind of agreement comes out of the meeting,... and to what extent it differs from previous deals is of a particular interest -- especially with a summit between North Korea and the U.S. in the works.

"Declaring an end to the war could be difficult this time round. But I do expect agreements on things like preventing war on the Korean Peninsula and ending hostilities. What helped gain North Korea's trust was President Moon Jae-in saying there would be no war on the Peninsula without South Korea's consent. In preventing war, this kind of thing is important. On top of that, denuclearization, or any announcement of the North giving up its ICBMs would be a big success."

But there have been doubts about the North's true intentions with its sudden change of stance.
And although the regime has talked about shutting down its nuclear facilities and halting missile and nuclear tests,... some experts point out that it's a positive step... but it won't amount to complete denuclearization.

"Whether he is going to surrender nuclear weapons, definitely not. North Korea sees it as a guarantee of its regime. Facing strong sanctions, excessive strong reaction from Trump, (Kim Jong-un) decided to slow down and reverse his course. I don't believe denuclearization is possible. It goes against their long term interest. They decided to back off and stay in lower level."

But some experts see the potential for any outcome to bear fruit since the inter-Korean summit is being held relatively early in South Korean President Moon Jae-in's term in office.
That gives his administration more time to see whether any promises made are kept, unlike in the past when summit talks were held near the end of presidential terms.
But it also means more responsibility on Seoul's part.

I talked to President Moon about this. I like the word guide. Broker or matchmaker - that means we are out of it. (Whereas) guide means we are driving the car. Direct directions can be given and we can also (put a) limit. After this summit, we have cooperate and guide the U.S., and explain North Korea's intention to meet him."

"What's for sure is that Friday's summit should be used as a means to build trust that's been lost over the years on provocations and sanctions -- and that it becomes the start of many more summits with North Korea to come. Kim Min-ji, Arirang News."