Seoul officials fear Pyongyang may be trying to bring about economic change before it has fully denuclearised amid reports it is upgrading its facilities
Pyongyang’s denuclearisation efforts may slow down as the reclusive state is apparently trying to boost its nuclear deterrence capability and strengthen economic ties with Beijing, according to South Korean officials.
The assessment came after reports suggesting North Korea was upgrading its nuclear facilities and amid ongoing talks on economic cooperation between Beijing and Pyongyang.
“Beijing has promised solid economic support to Pyongyang throughout a series of bilateral summits held in China,” a senior South Korean diplomatic source said, adding that it was an attempt by the North to bring about economic change before it had fully denuclearised.
Washington has long demanded a “complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement” of Pyongyang’s nuclear programme, in return for economic compensation.
“North Korea can now start developing its economy without giving up its nuclear weapons [by strengthening economic ties with China],” the source said.
Pyongyang could be stalling as it seeks to build trust with long-time enemy the US before abandoning the nuclear programme that gives the regime security, the source added.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made his first visit to China in March, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. He then met Xi in the northeastern city of Dalian in May, and again in Beijing last month, and Chinese state media reported that economic cooperation was on the agenda.
North Korean state media on Sunday reported that Kim had visited a cosmetics factory in the Sinuiju special economic zone, opposite Chinese port city Dandong.
