Fact Check: Official talks between North and South Korea stalled since 2019

What We Know

Official talks between North and South Korea have indeed been stalled since 2019. This stagnation is largely attributed to the collapse of U.S.-led diplomacy aimed at denuclearizing North Korea, which was a significant factor in inter-Korean relations. Following a series of summits in 2018, where leaders from both Koreas met and made commitments towards peace and cooperation, the momentum was lost by 2019 as negotiations faltered and tensions escalated again (source-2, source-4).

Since then, various attempts to reinitiate dialogue have been made, particularly with the new South Korean administration under President Lee Jae Myung, who has expressed a desire to restart talks. However, North Korea has shown reluctance, having previously vowed to sever relations with the South and abandon the goal of peaceful reunification (source-2, source-6).

Analysis

The claim that official talks between North and South Korea have stalled since 2019 is supported by multiple credible sources. The Congressional Research Service outlines the timeline of negotiations, confirming that after the high-profile summits in 2018, the diplomatic efforts faced significant setbacks in 2019, leading to a cessation of formal discussions.

Moreover, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera both reiterate that since 2019, there has been no significant progress in talks, highlighting the broader geopolitical context that includes North Korea's aggressive posturing and the South's attempts to engage diplomatically.

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations and research institutions that provide well-sourced and fact-checked information. The timeline and context provided by these sources align with historical events and expert analyses regarding inter-Korean relations.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The assertion that official talks between North and South Korea have stalled since 2019 is accurate. The breakdown of negotiations following the 2019 diplomatic efforts has led to a prolonged period of silence and tension between the two nations, despite recent attempts by South Korea to reinitiate dialogue.