In fact, that track should remain open, but no one should be under the illusion that negotiations are somehow the missing piece of the puzzle. North Korea looked at every offer on the table during the six-party talks that began in 2003 – a peace treaty, economic and energy assistance, and membership in a regional association – and walked away.
仍然有人（幸运的是这样的人数不断减少）继续提议要进一步谈判解决。其实，谈判渠道应当保持畅通，但我们不应再幻想谈判是当前困境的解决之道。2003年六方会谈后和平条约、经济能源援助和地区协会成员等一切谈判条件都已经摆在朝鲜面前——这对朝鲜早已经不是什么秘密，但朝鲜还是走开了。