North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their summit in Russia's Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, April 25. / Yonhap

President Moon's plans to play role as mediator in jeopardy

By Yi Whan-woo


Regional powers on the Korean Peninsula appear to be seeking a stronger role in denuclearizing North Korea. Until now, these powers have mainly left the United States and the two Koreas to deal with the issue.

The Hanoi summit breakdown led to stalemate in U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks, with the U.S. insisting on "big deals" and asking for complete and full denuclearization.

The U.S. demand is opposed to North Korean-style "small deals" that seek phased steps on denuclearization and the easing of sanctions on the Kim Jong-un regime.

The U.S. remains unchanged in its "all-or-nothing" strategy, forcing North Korea to seek support from Russia and China and enhancing the alliance among the three Cold War allies.

Against the backdrop, Russia appeared to be stepping up as the "mediator," which President Moon Jae-in has underscored as his role on North Korea, when Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim met for the first time in Russia's Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, April 25.