North Korea peace process may hit sanctions roadblock

Significance

It expands the peace process launched at the summit in April, including a military annexe with concrete measures to reduce border tensions. Kim also recommitted to denuclearisation, if in vague terms. Nonetheless, US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the summit. Moon is to meet Trump in New York on September 25. Pompeo is seeking talks with North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, who will attend the UN General Assembly.

Impacts

• If Kim offers more on denuclearisation, Moon will press for some relaxation of sanctions to facilitate economic cooperation.
• If not, Washington may try to rein Moon in; that would strain the US-South Korean alliance, which is probably one of Kim’s aims.
• Pyongyang has repudiated or failed to implement past agreements, and could again if Kim feels US pressure is excessive.