{
  "id": 2096824,
  "title": "Experts warn sidelining denuclearization could weaken Seoul's leverage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/experts-warn-sidelining-denuclearization-could-weaken-seouls-leverage-2096824",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T08:07:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/northkorea/20260820/experts-warn-sidelining-denuclearization-could-weaken-seouls-leverage"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Experts have expressed concern that abandoning the denuclearization goal in talks with North Korea could weaken South Korea's negotiating position. President Donald Trump's lack of clarity on whether denuclearization remains a priority has raised doubts about Washington's intentions. However, experts argue that the focus should be on what the talks aim to achieve, not simply on whether they resume. A deal that manages the nuclear threat rather than eliminating it could benefit both the U.S. and North Korea, but at the expense of South Korea's leverage. Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the main opposition People Power Party warned that signaling an abandonment of the denuclearization goal could send the wrong message to Pyongyang, potentially legitimizing their nuclear program.",
  "summary": "U.S. President Donald Trump’s refusal to say whether denuclearization remains the goal of renewed talks with North Korea has fueled speculation that Washington could set the issue aside in order to bring Pyongyang back to the negotiating table. Experts warn that the focus should not be simply on whether U.S.-North Korea talks resume, but on what the talks are intended to achieve. A deal centered…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Experts warn sidelining denuclearization could weaken Seoul's leverage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/experts-warn-sidelining-denuclearization-could-weaken-seouls-leverage",
        "published": "2026-08-20T07:52:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}