HONOLULU -- Will the United States and North Korea ever sit down and talk? In all probability, yes. But the odds remain strong that the dialogue, when and if it happens, will largely remain a dialogue of the deaf.
The June 29 North-South Korea naval engagement, which resulted in the deaths of five South Korean sailors and an unknown number of North Korean sailors (estimates range to 30) dead or missing, rightfully delayed the beginning of U.S.-North Korean dialogue that had tentatively been scheduled for July 10. But it is important to note that the naval clash was not the only, or even the primary, reason given for the postponement.
The July 2 U.S. State Department announcement rescinding Washington's offer to send Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia James Kelly to Pyongyang cited the lack of a timely response to its offer as well as the "unacceptable atmosphere" created by the North-South naval engagement. This sent two clear signals. First, North Korea's behavior toward the South affects U.S.-North Korean talks. Second, Washington is not going to tolerate the unprofessional diplomatic behavior that has long characterized interaction between Pyongyang and Seoul.
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