Frustration rising over North Korea

The progress to make peace with North Korea has stalled, and the consequences could hurt not only its own people but also others in the region. Almost a year ago, Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang started backing away from nuclear war. His actions were embraced by the global community, but most of all by South Korea and the United States. Historic summits followed, and declarations were made to denuclearize the Korean peninsula — a welcome promise to countries in Southeast Asia, like the Philippines, which were well within range of Mr. Kim’s missiles.

After the photo-ops, however, came the real work to thresh out a denuclearization and peace plan. In fairness, North Korea has closed a missile testing facility and destroyed the entrances to its nuclear test site. Pyongyang has even vowed to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear facility, where North Koreans allegedly make fissile material for its nuclear weapons, but only if the US makes “corresponding measures.”