Sputnik: Do you think that we're going to see Pyongyang further developing its nuclear and missile programs, and will these last developments — with Japan increasing their defense budget — do you think that this is likely to affect Pyongyang's plans for developing their nuclear and missile capabilities?
Xu Qinduo: I'm thinking not really much. Obviously this is because from their point of view, the US missile presence in South Korea and Japan are a challenge to their national security. Also, their annual military exercises between South Korea and the United States seem to be a military preparation to invade or attack North Korea.
I think there is a genuine fear among their national security [planners]; they have learned their lesson from what happened to Saddam Hussein in Iraq, or Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, after they gave up on nuclear armaments; they gave up their weapons of mass destruction, and look at what happened to them. For the North Korean leaders, I think they are smart.
READ MORE: China Calls for Restraint Following Adoption of UNSC Resolution on North Korea
If they gave up their nuclear weapons, if they somehow take the word at face value from the US side and say, "Okay, you're not going to attack me," they could lose their independence. The country could see a regime change, like other countries.
Sputnik: The UN Security Council is meeting later today to discuss sanctions against North Korea. This is going to be another round of sanctions. We've seen new sanctions recently, just a few months ago actually, and there have been rounds and rounds — more than six rounds of sanctions. I don't know if you can assess how effective they've been. Do you think that these new restrictions will have any effect; how do they differ from the previous ones that have not stopped North Korea from pursuing their nuclear ambition?
Xu Qinduo: So-far North Korea hasn't shown any signs of concession, any signs of giving up its nuclear ambition. You know, as Putin pointed out, they would rather eat grass than give up their nuclear weapons. I think that is a perfect description of their psychology, of the understanding of the situation in North Korea. This is about the survival of Pyongyang, survival of the party, survival of the nation, of the top leadership. There is no will for them to give up nuclear weapons.
READ MORE: Trump Praises UN Security Council Vote on New North Korea Sanctions
But I think to cut off the oil supply would really bite on the North Korean side. They would find it very tough to deal with the winter time, to deal with daily life, to deal with the country's economy. But still I'm not sure they would give up their nuclear weapons. Probably you can force them to come to the negotiation table, but not to give up nuclear weapons.
Basically, the more you show off your muscle, then the more fear they have, and the more they were reluctant to give up their nuclear weapons. They are more determined to keep their nuclear weapons — that's a vicious circle. Let's take a first step and see how far we can go.
I wouldn't rule out a chance that North Korea will come to the negotiation table, to talk to China, to talk to South Korea, to Russia, and then find out a plan. Find out a plan which we ensure the need not only for the North Korean side, but also for the US side, for the South Korean side, so we can follow that plan and push forward to make sure that there is peace and stability at the same time as North Korean security will be guaranteed.
The views and opinions expressed by Xu Qinduo are those of the analyst and do not necessarily reflect Sputnik's position.
