With North Korea Talks Within Reach, Diplomacy Needs Defending

In response to President Trump's endorsement of planned talks between North and South Korea, and the U.S. agreeing to a delay in joint military exercises with South Korea, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement:

"This isn't the first time sports have provided a diplomatic opening. The Olympics provide a perfect rationale for a delay in annual joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises. That pause in turn sets the table for ongoing diplomacy. It's a relief to see President Trump embrace this diplomatic opportunity after the last few days of over-the-top tweeted provocations.

"An increase in communications with North Korea should be conscientiously nurtured like the first winter shoots of a fragile plant. Sadly, this diplomatic opening has already been dismissed as a North Korean 'trap.' If initial North-to-South talks lead to a multilateral and sustained diplomatic endeavour, diplomacy may come under even stronger attacks from hawks and hardliners in the U.S. and North Korea. Proponents of a peaceful solution, whether in the administration, in Congress, or in towns and cities across the nation, will have to make their voices heard. Securing a successful nuclear agreement with Iran couldn't have happened without the active support of the American people. That public groundswell in favor of diplomacy is needed once again."