These bore fruit in only four months. The agreement that was reached in October of 1994 satisfied all U.S. objectives. It has faced significant opposition at times from the South and has been haltingly implemented. Nevertheless, it has weathered these challenges as well as the more acute problems of the downed American helicopter north of the DMZ and the grounded DPRK submarine in the South. This positive side of this story need not end here.
Today there is a real prospect for further improvement of relations in Korea.
The possibility of more comprehensive agreements that might include conventional forces and ballistic missiles cannot be excluded. However, to consolidate our past successes and to prepare the way for these future successes, the US will not only have to uphold its side of past bargains but also seek much more comprehensive economic and political engagement with North Korea. The US has continued not to come through on its promises. Professor Leon Sigal is a scholar at the Social Science Research Council and also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. In his distinguished career, Sigal has also taught at Wesleyan College and served on the editorial board of the New York Times.