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| In this file photo taken last June 12, U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sign documents as U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the North Korean leader's sister Kim Yo-jong look on at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island in Singapore. AP-Yonhap |
By Kim Yoo-chul
President Moon Jae-in plans to deliver "messages" from U.S. President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un once a fourth inter-Korean summit happens, a senior presidential aide said Sunday.
"Yes, President Moon Jae-in has messages given by U.S. President Donald Trump, which he plans to deliver directly to North Korean leader Kim at a proper time when the leaders of the two Koreas meet again," the Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters at the presidential office's press center.
"If a fourth inter-Korean summit happens, it's been widely expected President Moon also plans to share with North Korean leader Kim key observations and other background information (regarding the denuclearization talks) discussed at a recent U.S.-South Korea summit in Washington, D.C."
Regarding specifics on how the messages were given to Moon and further relevant details, the official did not elaborate.
Earlier, CNN reported that President Moon had messages from Trump for Kim.
Another presidential aide said Cheong Wa Dae was "still reviewing lots of options and scenarios" to send a special envoy to North Korea later this week to lay the ground for the fourth inter-Korean summit.
Moon suggested another meeting with Kim a week ago, but Pyongyang has yet to respond.
Moon earlier said he was willing to go anywhere and anytime to meet Kim, after Kim said he was open to a third meeting with Trump, but only if the U.S. provided "mutually acceptable terms" because the Hanoi summit failed over stark differences on how to define denuclearization and Pyongyang's request for economic sanctions to be eased.
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| Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. AFP-Yonhap |
Despite growing doubts and questions about the continued nuclear disarmament dialogue, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said early Saturday (KST) that Washington's diplomatic efforts would continue with the goal of denuclearizing North Korea.
"Nothing has changed. We'll continue to work to negotiate, still in charge of the team. President Trump is obviously in charge of the overall effort, but it'll be my team," Pompeo told reporters in Washington, D.C.
The remarks were regarded as a rebuttal to North Korea's demands to replace Pompeo at the talks with someone more mature.
While Trump hinted at pursuing a "small deal" rapprochement in advancing the denuclearization dialogue, U.S. politicians and the intelligence community still have a negative stance about providing some sanctions relief to North Korea to encourage Pyongyang to move forward with its denuclearization process.
The future of the United States' possible engagement with the North has appeared to be in limbo since the failure in Hanoi with no sign of direct contact between the sides.
Now the North Korean leader is turning toward its longtime backers, with the Kremlin saying Kim plans to hold a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week.
"The main issue is that President Moon is losing Kim Jong-un's trust," a local diplomatic source said.
"While Kim told Moon several times that North Korea wanted sanctions relief, no visible process has been made. Trump said sanctions won't be lifted until the North completes its denuclearization process, verifiably and permanently. Moon is embracing the risks of top-town nuclear diplomacy but time is running out for him."
