Six-Party Talks could still go ahead

Although Pyongyang claimed to end the Six-Party Talks after the latest UN resolution, experts said there is still the possibility of dialogue to resolve issues on the Korean Peninsula, and urged all parties to respect the concerns of others.

Pyongyang didn't refuse all communication, so the door of negotiations is not closed, said Alexander Zhebin, head of the Centre for Korean Studies at the Russian Institute of the Far East. Zhebin made his comments at a video meeting held by the Russian Information Agency Novosti on Jan 29.

Vladimir Evseev, director of the Center for Social and Political Research in Russia, echoed Zhebin's statements, saying the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is still interested in dialogue, especially that focusing on its economic development.

The United Nations Security Council on Jan 22 passed a resolution to expand sanctions to more DPRK aerospace institutions and technologists in response to Pyongyang's December rocket launch.

Pyongyang responded with fiery words, saying it will end the Six-Party Talks and bolster its self-defense capability, including its nuclear deterrent.

The DPRK also said it will launch more long-range rockets and conduct the third nuclear test targeting the United States, and threatened to attack the Republic of Korea if Seoul joins the new round of UN sanctions.

Analysts said the key reason for Pyongyang's fierce rhetoric and its nuclear program is that its security concerns have not been respected.

Every relevant party should talk about its own security concerns, which should also be heard by other parties, Zhebin said.

People should hold discussions not only on how to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, but also on what kind of security guarantee should be offered, he added.

Zhebin also suggested recognizing DPRK's legal right to peacefully use nuclear energy and its space, so that Pyongyang can abandon its nuclear weapons program.

Zhu Feng, a professor on international studies at Peking University, said the DPRK cannot change its tune until it is included in a peaceful and open cooperation in East Asia.