And I believe the steps we have taken with Pyongyang recently will help spur further South-North dialogue. And finally, I should stress that our approach to North Korea will continue to be characterized by patience, prudence, and caution. Despite the progress we have made in our own ties with the North, we all recognize that in a system so dependent on the decisions of a single individual, decisions can be changed as quickly as they have been made. However, the more engagement advances, the greater the potential cost to North Korea of a reversal of course. For us, the Republic of Korea and the United States, the risks of engagement are modest, as long as we continue to work together and as long as our alliance and deterrent remain strong.
Deterrence is the essential shield behind which engagement can be effective.