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The Facts
- On Wed., China and Russia reaffirmed their objection to tougher sanctions on North Korea at a UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting.
- They have urged the US to ease sanctions and to engage in effective dialogue, stating that agitation in the Korean peninsula is a result of US policies.
- US senior diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis responded with doubts about the Sino-Russian strategic partnership's commitment to global security.
Sources Split
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The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
China and Russia haven't provided a convincing explanation regarding their vetoes. The US has offered humanitarian cooperation to Pyongyang, reinforcing its desire to find a diplomatic solution to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. However, all that the North has given in return until now is a crisis-escalation strategy that comprises ICBM launches.
Establishment-critical narrative
The US must take effective actions to prove its commitment to addressing Pyongyang's concerns, especially by lifting sanctions which will only worsen the situation in the peninsula. Dialogue allowed significant breakthroughs toward denuclearization in 2018 but tensions have resurfaced as the US has failed to reciprocate North Korea's denuclearization measures.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 94% chance Kim Jong-Un will remain the de facto leader of North Korea until January 1, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
