Missiles and Reunions: Thaw or Freeze on the Korean Peninsula?

Family reunions between North and South Korea may be an encouraging sign of a thaw in tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which could lead to further trust-building activities and economic cooperation. However, with missile tests and ongoing U.S.-South Korean military exercises, Pyongyang’s intentions in agreeing to family reunions are unlikely to extend to more significant issues, namely denuclearization, which remains the fundamental sticking-point to a substantial improvement in relations.