US Carrot Offered to North Korea in Lifting of Sanctions

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US Carrot Offered to North Korea in Lifting of Sanctions

In line with the warming trend characterizing diplomatic relations with North Korea, the US government has made it official that it will lift some of the economic sanctions it has in place against North Korea, as was stated in the 'Federal Register', a federal publication listing all of the government's news releases. Experts say this sets a new tone for North Korean-US relations.

The US decision came quickly after the end of the historic first inter-Korea summit, a clear sign of American support for the new turn in the North-South relationship. And, with this, a precedent has been set that may positively engender other nations in seeking further interaction with the isolated nation.

American authorities had been discussing lifting some restrictions since last September but this never resulted in any changes until now. The US government explained that this 'delay' was due to the amount of time necessary to make any alteration in foreign policy.

However, government watchers comment that the obvious reason for the US' recent change of heart towards North Korea is actually a change in strategy in North Korean diplomacy with the US no longer pulling back when the North shows no improvement on topics of nuclear weapons and missile reduction. With restrictions against North Korea more free, the US seems to indicate that it wants to address nuclear and missile but within the more friendly post-summit atmosphere.

Apart from the 'good mood' growing on the Korean peninsula, Pyongyang-Washington relations still as yet have to face complex matters such as taking North Korea off of the list of nations supporting 'terrorist activity', reduction of missile development by the North, and a possible state visite to the US by Kim Jong-il.

Although the US has tried to tackle the nuclear and missile issues at the highest levels, preparatory meeting in New York last April found both sides differing on the number of North Koreans allowed in their delegations. As a consequence, the talks were delayed with nuclear and missile issues being postponed for later.

Fortunately, the two sides came close to agreement when they met this past April in Rome with both sides at least agreeing to discuss missile-realted issues at a meeting set for this June 28th. Political watchers analyze the US' move to partially lift sanctions as an American pre-emptive move to make North Korea more receptive to agreeing to a moratorium on missile development and production.

North Korea will now be able to export raw materials and goods to the US, and the US, in turn, will be able to export consumer goods to the North and will allow for investment in infrastructure badly needed by North Korea. However, trade and investment will have to wait say experts. A source at the Washington D.C. office of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency forecasts that it will take some time for North Korea to put its own financial and political house in order before any outside business or products can enter.

Most US analysts welcome the government's move, but feel uncertain in how this will actually play out in the hitherto known 'Hermit Kingdom' unused to international standards of business and numerous regulations.




by Kim Jin

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