By Lee Min-hyung
Washington and Pyongyang are apparently trying to restart their nuclear talks with Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special representative for North Korea, visiting Beijing for talks with China on issues regarding North Korea's denuclearization.
Biegun will also discuss the results of the latest summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
The U.S. did not unveil Biegun's specific schedule for his Beijing trip, but chances are that he may hold closed-door meetings with North Korean officials there.
On Tuesday, a North Korean Air Koryo airplane, apparently carrying a high-ranking official, arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport where a group of officials from China and the North _ including North Korean ambassador to China Ji Jae-ryong _ were seen greeting him.
The official is possibly Ri Su-yong, the vice chairman of the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, in consideration of the entourage. North's Korea Central News Agency also reported that a North Korean delegation ― led by Ri ― left Pyongyang for a visit to Laos, Tuesday.
"If Ri visited Beijing, chances are that Biegun can meet with him to smooth out details for talks on the denuclearization of the peninsula," Shin Beom-chul, a senior director at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said.
"But if Biegun does not meet with the North Korean official, the U.S. diplomat will likely focus on urging Beijing to maintain international sanctions on the regime, as most sanction violations are reportedly by Chinese entities," he said.
Pyongyang has recently escalated tension with Washington by shifting the blame for the failure of their second summit onto the U.S. The regime also stepped up its provocative rhetoric by threatening to resume nuclear and missile testing.
But a sign of hope has surfaced over the past few days over a possible resumption in negotiation, with U.S. President Donald Trump ordering the U.S. Treasury Department to withdraw additional sanctions imposed on the regime.
On Monday (Washington local time), the White House stated that it was "unnecessary" for international society to impose new sanctions on the North at the moment.
Trump's trust in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is cited as the key reason behind the recent decision. White House press secretary Sarah Huckerbee Sanders said Trump still likes Kim and both leaders have continued to exchange their willingness for more talks on denuclearization.
"But the complete resumption in denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang will be possible as early as the second half of the year, as the U.S. remains firm in its determination not to ease sanctions on the regime," Shin said.
In recent days, the North has also hinted at its will for talks with the South and the U.S. On Friday, the regime withdrew officials from the inter-Korean liaison office in the North's border city of Gaeseong.
But Pyongyang reversed its decision Monday, returning some officials. The move was seen as a gesture not to ratchet up diplomatic friction with Seoul and Washington at a time when Trump has expressed his unwavering trust in Kim by ordering the Treasury Department not to impose additional sanctions.
North Korea has not given any reason for the abrupt pullout of its staff from the liaison office. But the decision to return them is seen as a symbolic gesture to change the recent chilly atmosphere on the peninsula in the wake of the summit breakdown, according to observers.
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| Stephen Biegun |
Biegun will also discuss the results of the latest summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
The U.S. did not unveil Biegun's specific schedule for his Beijing trip, but chances are that he may hold closed-door meetings with North Korean officials there.
On Tuesday, a North Korean Air Koryo airplane, apparently carrying a high-ranking official, arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport where a group of officials from China and the North _ including North Korean ambassador to China Ji Jae-ryong _ were seen greeting him.
The official is possibly Ri Su-yong, the vice chairman of the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, in consideration of the entourage. North's Korea Central News Agency also reported that a North Korean delegation ― led by Ri ― left Pyongyang for a visit to Laos, Tuesday.
"If Ri visited Beijing, chances are that Biegun can meet with him to smooth out details for talks on the denuclearization of the peninsula," Shin Beom-chul, a senior director at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said.
"But if Biegun does not meet with the North Korean official, the U.S. diplomat will likely focus on urging Beijing to maintain international sanctions on the regime, as most sanction violations are reportedly by Chinese entities," he said.
Pyongyang has recently escalated tension with Washington by shifting the blame for the failure of their second summit onto the U.S. The regime also stepped up its provocative rhetoric by threatening to resume nuclear and missile testing.
But a sign of hope has surfaced over the past few days over a possible resumption in negotiation, with U.S. President Donald Trump ordering the U.S. Treasury Department to withdraw additional sanctions imposed on the regime.
On Monday (Washington local time), the White House stated that it was "unnecessary" for international society to impose new sanctions on the North at the moment.
Trump's trust in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is cited as the key reason behind the recent decision. White House press secretary Sarah Huckerbee Sanders said Trump still likes Kim and both leaders have continued to exchange their willingness for more talks on denuclearization.
"But the complete resumption in denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang will be possible as early as the second half of the year, as the U.S. remains firm in its determination not to ease sanctions on the regime," Shin said.
In recent days, the North has also hinted at its will for talks with the South and the U.S. On Friday, the regime withdrew officials from the inter-Korean liaison office in the North's border city of Gaeseong.
But Pyongyang reversed its decision Monday, returning some officials. The move was seen as a gesture not to ratchet up diplomatic friction with Seoul and Washington at a time when Trump has expressed his unwavering trust in Kim by ordering the Treasury Department not to impose additional sanctions.
North Korea has not given any reason for the abrupt pullout of its staff from the liaison office. But the decision to return them is seen as a symbolic gesture to change the recent chilly atmosphere on the peninsula in the wake of the summit breakdown, according to observers.
