Pyongyang also listed three requirements for Obama as "hard" measures. First, normalization of U.S.-North Korea relations should be based not on one side yielding, but on facts. North Korea opposes the idea of diplomatic normalization as welfare for North Korea, or normalization being roped in with denuclearization. Second, the September 19, 2005, joint statement should act as the framework for dealing with bilateral ties. Pyongyang wants to solve the nuclear issue through international cooperation, gradually realizing denuclearization and normalization step by step.

Third, a precondition for North Korea's abandoning its nuclear program is for the United States to abolish its nuclear threat against North Korea. North Korea believes that the essence of the nuclear issue on the peninsula is "U.S. denuclearization vs. North Korean denuclearization," and that Washington should dismantle its weapons first. Even if the two countries establish diplomatic relations, North Korea said, it would not disable its nuclear program as long as the U.S. nuclear threat exists. It insists that the nuclear issue be resolved based on the principle of "action for action."

Prospects for the situation

Since the root of the nuclear issue is the relations between North Korea and the United States, U.S. Northeast Asia policy will decide the outcome. Obama's specific Northeast Asia policy will not materialize for some time because the U.S. Government faces more urgent problems, such as the financial crisis and the aftermath of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, since Hillary Clinton has chosen North Asia as the stops on her first foreign visit, the U.S. Government will still pay great attention to the region.

The world must see that even though North Korea abrogated its agreements with South Korea, it has respected the two joint statements issued on June 15, 2000, and October 4, 2007, which are the foundation of their bilateral relations. Besides, both North Korea and the United States have expressed their hope to resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue and cooperation. Therefore, after the new U.S. Northeast Asia policy is released, South Korea might make some compromises to avoid being pushed aside by the United States and North Korea. Then, after North Korea and South Korea reach consensus, the peninsula will return to relative stability.