DNA Edit: Olympian amity

International diplomacy records numerous instances of how personal charm of leaders, both de-jure and de-facto, have steered the course of nations. One instance of such a personalised intervention was on display at the Winter Olympics hosted by South Korea, when Kim Yo Jong, sister of the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, extended an invitation to the South Korean President Moon Jae-in for a summit meeting. This new found amity has US Vice President Mike Pence worried. For months now, the world has been grappling with fears of a nuclear war as North Korea has steadfastly refused to toe the US’s line on nuclear de-escalation leaving Pence with no option but to keep piling on sanctions on the country with one of the worst human rights record globally.  

Contrarily, North Korea has been raising the pitch on its missile development game plan. It recently tested its first batch of three intercontinental ballistic missiles and its most powerful nuclear weapon to date. Diplomatically, Kim Jon Un’s move delegating his sibling to attend the Winter Olympics as part of a ‘charm offensive’ is aimed at winning over South Korea and drawing it away from the US’s sphere of influence. It is also a loaded message that North Korea is willing to be a part of the ‘comity of nations’ but not at the terms dictated by the US. Of course, China has also been a key player pulling the strings from behind the veil.

Earlier, it has suggested that talks could start between the US and North Korea once South Korea suspends its joint military exercise with South Korea. While South Korea hasn’t suspended the joint military exercises, it has agreed to delay them this year. This concession, even if marginal, can open the floodgates for bigger ones. The ball now is in the US’s court to counter North Korea’s bid of regaining trust.