South Korea has ‘pragmatic’ plan for phased denuclearisation. But will North bite?

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s proposal for a phased approach to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes is a pragmatic response, analysts say, but prospects for gaining its arch-rival’s acceptance remain uncertain.

In a keynote speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Lee laid out a long-term, step-by-step sequence for pursuing the ultimate goal of North Korea’s denuclearisation.

He had called for Washington to ease sanctions in return for North Korea stopping its nuclear...