Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
'Small deals' possible between Trump, Kim Jong-un: spy agency
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un before a meeting at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, in this Feb. 27, 2019 file photo. Reuters-Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could pursue direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, South Korea’s spy agency said Monday, adding that striking a “small deal” on North Korea’s nuclear program is also possible.
If the U.S. realizes that the goal of North Korea’s complete denuclearization is unattainable in the short term, it might proceed with smaller deals, such as an arms control deal or a disarmament agreement with Pyongyang, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said. Trump will take office on Jan. 20.
The NIS shared the information with lawmakers during a closed-door parliamentary subcommittee meeting, according to Rep. Lee Seong-kweun of the ruling People Power Party and Rep. Park Sun-won of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, both of whom are leaders of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee.
“Trump has touted his talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as one of his major achievements from his first term, so there is a possibility of resuming dialogue with Kim,” the NIS was quoted as saying by the lawmakers.
The spy agency said some of Trump’s recent appointments point to a possibility of dialogue. Trump appointed former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, known for his pro-dialogue stance on North Korean issues, as his presidential envoy for special missions. Alex Wong, who was involved in working-level nuclear talks with North Korea during Trump’s first term, was named for Trump's principal deputy national security adviser.
The NIS said North Korea is expected to focus on securing military and economic benefits by sending more troops and weapons to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. The agency also said that it is closely monitoring for signs of a potential visit to Russia by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
“Kim may visit Russia in the first half of this year,” Rep. Park said.
Some analysts believe the visit could coincide with Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day, which falls on Feb. 23. The annual holiday honors the nation's military forces.
The NIS also assessed that North Korea’s latest test of a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) was aimed at gaining attention ahead of the U.S. presidential inauguration.
“The test was aimed at improving the capabilities of the hypersonic glide vehicle atop the new IRBM. Its goal was to gain Trump’s attention by showing off its missile program that threatens the U.S. mainland,” Rep. Lee said.