Commentary: Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula requires concerted efforts from both Pyongyang and Washington

As the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) marked a milestone by rolling out an economic blueprint aimed at kick-starting its economy, Pyongyang and Washington should work together to pave the way for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The five-year plan, the country's first in 36 years, was announced by top leader Kim Jong Un at the just-concluded 7th Congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), during which Kim was elected chairman of the WPK.

The prominence that Kim put on the economy at the once-in-a-generation event was a big step forward in improving the living standards of his people. However, the economy is only one half of his "Byungjin" policy, which also emphasizes the development of nuclear capabilities.

In a hour-long speech broadcast on Sunday, Kim stressed that the DPRK should expand economic relations externally, highlighting his desire to get the DPRK reintegrated into the international community.

Apparently, the DPRK leader understands that improving his country's lot depends heavily on sound economic development and healthy international trade.

However, Pyongyang's push to develop its economy while bolstering its nuclear arsenal won't be easy; in fact, it may even be impossible.

A decades-long Western blockade has already added to the DPRK's economic pains, while its costly nuclear pursuits, which has put an additional burden on its economy, will risk further isolating the country and thus lead to more problems at home.

Its nuclear weapons capabilities, if expanded "in quality and quantity," will lessen opportunities for Pyongyang to open up to the outside world and establish normal trade relations with other countries, making its lofty economic ambitions impossible to realize.

Pyongyang's claim that it won't be the first to launch a nuclear strike, though still far from the global consensus of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, should be met with a constructive response by Washington.

High pressure tactics by the United States is responsible for the hostility between the two countries, and its reluctance to hold talks with the DPRK has only exacerbated tensions.

The only way to solve this quagmire, which has only grown worse with tit-for-tat military responses, requires Washington to show restraint in its belligerent DPRK policy. Squeezing the DPRK into a corner will inflame regional tensions, something that benefits nobody.

Ending Pyongyang's isolation will help the DPRK on the economic front and could lead to a thaw in relations between the U.S. and the DPRK. Most of all, it could finally put an end to the long-running nuclear issue.

Therefore, Pyongyang and Washington should do their parts: the former must curb its nuclear endeavors and the latter must be more constructive and less bellicose. Only then can we see real change in DPRK-U.S. ties. Endi