Women Cross DMZ

3/4 “Suspending these costly and highly provocative military exercises will be a crucial step toward restarting genuine diplomacy with North Korea… Now is the time to change direction from military confrontation and pressure toward cooperation, reconciliation, and peace.”

2/4 “We are deeply concerned about the recent increase in military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and believe that the ROK, the DPRK, and the United States should take steps toward sincere dialogue and cooperation, not military actions,” the letter states.

Enough is enough. The militarized approach to security both domestically and internationally has not made us more secure. We must move billions from the Pentagon budget towards investments in realizing genuine human security.https://twitter.com/Public_Citizen/status/1508464041232117765 …

Continuing to respond to North Korea’s missile tests with increased military actions and hostile rhetoric will only exacerbate tensions and risk military confrontation. It *is* possible to transform the US-NK relationship — but only if we change our approach.

Deescalate military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Transform the Peninsula from a place of perpetual war readiness to a place where the Korean people can peacefully coexist.

Normalize relations so that the US makes it clear that we recognize North Korea’s right to exist and be part of the international community. Allow Americans to travel to North Korea so that Korean families can reunite.

With this new understanding of North Korea’s motives, the US can then adjust its behavior so that it no longer drives North Korea’s nuclear weapons development. Let’s look at concrete actions the US could take to reduce tensions:

As others have pointed out, North Korea’s motive for developing nuclear weapons has been to defend itself. In fact, North Korea has repeatedly asked for a peace agreement, even long before the nuclear crisis. (Except NK calls it “security guarantee.”)https://twitter.com/ArmsControlWonk/status/1507103487309463558?s=20&t=NlZXWclEWlmrAS_tLUsTdQ …

While it is understandable to view North Korea’s recent ICBM test as threatening, it is crucial to see the situation from NK’s point of view if we want to de-escalate tensions and avoid war.

If the US doesn’t change course immediately on North Korea, we could be headed toward a dangerous escalation on the Korean Peninsula. The last thing the world needs right now is another conflict, especially one involving nuclear-armed actors.

.@EliClifton explains how one deep-pocketed individual can inject hawkish, militaristic, conspiracy theory laden views of US foreign policy into the public discourse while avoiding public scrutiny. Chan's views reinforce the status quo that justifies endless war in Korea.https://twitter.com/RStatecraft/status/1506726225326223360 …

So the next time someone tries to tell you that ending the Korean War and signing a peace agreement is “dangerous,” consider the source (and follow the money). Thank you @eliclifton!

“Fearmongering about Chinese aggression and influence, promoting the use and export of nuclear power technology, and maintaining a militarized US-South Korea alliance all serve Chan’s ideological and business interests,” writes Eli. 7/8