North Korea has reframed its relationship with South Korea, declaring its intentions to abandon reunification as tensions currently stand in the region. While some might find the news shocking, North Korea’s announcement comes after more than a year of underreported but major provocations by the US and South Korean militaries.

Last year, the US and South Korea signed the Washington Declaration, allowing for American nuclear submarines to dock on the Korean peninsula for the first time in 40 years. The two administrations have also coordinated more closely with Japan, Korea’s former colonizer.

Meanwhile, North Korea remains under brutal sectoral sanctions, which have killed at least 4,000 people and disproportionately affected the country’s most vulnerable. As the Biden administration continues to isolate and threaten North Korea, we’re joined by Echo Cho, Women Cross DMZ’s Director and Coordinator of Activism and Special Campaigns, to put Pyongyang’s recent statements in context and discuss ways to de-escalate tensions in Northeast Asia.

Join us on Feb 1 to learn why North Korea is not our enemy.