When the historic summit between the United States (US) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) took place in Singapore earlier this year, many believed the impossible could finally be achieved – peace between the two Koreas and a nuclear free Korean peninsula. However, recent events have revealed that such hopes may still be a pipe dream.

After decades of deadlock, there seems finally to be some diplomatic movement on the Korean Peninsula.

As officials from the United States (US) and North Korea prepare for the 12 June summit meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, nuclear experts must come to terms with a significant question: If Kim commits to dismantling his nuclear stockpile, how can the world be sure that he is following through?There is no question that North Korea poses a unique challenge to the nuclear nonproliferation regime; the political context for advancing disarmament globally is very different.

The White House wants North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to commit to a timetable to surrender his country’s nuclear arsenal when he meets United States (US) President Donald Trump next week in Singapore, a high-stakes summit that could last as long as two days – or just minutes.Trump has been advised not to offer Kim any concessions, as the White House seeks to put the onus on the North Koreans to make the summit a success, one US official said.