Mongolia forum explores new paths to peace and development in N.E. Asia

UPI

4 days ago

Ribbons tied to a fence offer wishes for reunification of south and north Korea near the DMZ at Imjingak Park in Paju, South Korea (2021). At the recent Track 2.0 discussions on N.E. Asia issues, Col. David Maxwell proposed for Korea a 'unification first, then denuclearization' approach to denuclearization, making Korean reunification the end goal in terms of which all other Korean policy issues are addressed. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
June 25 (UPI) -- New approaches to peace and development in the complex and volatile N.E. Asia region were the focus of an international forum in Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, that wrapped up yesterday.
The Track 2.0 discussions brought together senior policymakers, scholars and civil-society leaders from the United States, China, Russia, Mongolia, South Korea, Japan, India, Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Much of the discussion was closed-door, governed by the Chatham House Rule. UPI was briefed on background by participants.
Opening the public session of the forum, ambassador Jargalsaikhan Enkhsaikhan, chair of Blue Banner, an anti-nuclear, environmental NGO, laid out three themes the forum addressed.
First was "normalizing relations between the two Koreas that this year are marking the 80th anniversary of liberation from foreign colonial domination."
Second was regional economic development and the great untapped potential in that area for strengthening regional stability.
Third was the effect of climate change on the region, particularly desertification, with the spread of the Gobi desert, affecting Mongolia, China and North Korea directly and other countries indirectly.
The forum discussed opening engagement with North Korea on environmental challenges as that is an area of active concern for the North. Mongolia will host the 2026 Summit on Combating Desertification.
Discussions on Korea took place in the context of the U.S. pursuit of the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea, reaffirmed today by the State Department Forum participant Col. David Maxwell -- a former U.S. Special Forces officer who served in Korea and a frequent UPI contributor -- noted "the United States has failed to achieve denuclearization in North Korea for four decades, and a new approach is needed."
He proposed a "unification first, then denuclearization" approach, making Korean reunification the end goal in terms of which all other Korean policy issues are addressed.
This approach would be pursued through a long-term "Two Plus Three" strategy. Two existing policies, to deter war on the Korean peninsula through maintaining strong alliances and military posture; and preventing North Korean weapons proliferation, cyberattacks and other illicit global activities.
The "Plus Three" includes a human-rights upfront approach, holding North Korea to the UN Declaration of Human Rights; an information campaign to educate the people of North Korea as to their rights and the practical knowledge of the world that their government tries to keep from them; and support for regular citizens in both Koreas, to open paths for people-to-people service and cultural projects.
The forum has set up a task force that advance goals agreed upon in the discussions. A joint statement on the forum's conclusions is expected to be issued soon.