U.S.: There is a brighter path if N. Korea chooses denuclearization

Regarding the possibility that the Donald Trump administration will open a U.S. embassy in Pyongyang, the U.S. Department of State said, “As the President said, there is a brighter path for North Korea if it chooses denuclearization.”

“I will not go into details regarding internal United States Government preparations, but a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort in support of the President is underway,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State was quoted as saying by U.S. Radio Free Asia in an answer to a local media inquiry regarding The Dong-A Ilbo’s recent report on the possible U.S. embassy in Pyongyang. The Trump administration is considering opening liaison offices in Washington and Pyongyang, establishing embassies in the two countries, and starting humanitarian aid to the North in return for North Korea taking denuclearization actions.

In a related move, Chung Eui-yong, head of South Korea's presidential National Security Office, met with new U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton to re-examine bilateral coordination for the upcoming inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. summits. Chung reportedly delivered Seoul’s mediation proposal while making inquiries about the action plan Washington is preparing. The two officials are also said to have reviewed their views on the possible opening of liaison offices and embassies between Washington and Pyongyang. A South Korean government official told The Dong-A Ilbo over the phone that he understands the possible opening of the liaison offices is Washington’s No. 1 option to be offered to Pyongyang in return for denuclearization measures.


Jin-Woo Shin niceshin@donga.com