Opinion | A third US-North Korea summit is the last best chance for resolving nuclear crisis
- North Korea is in purdah and the signs are not positive, but Trump is open to a quick deal, and a third summit might just happen this year if South Korea steps into the breach
- Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for the millions in North Korea suffering from acute food shortages
The US seems oblivious to the possibility that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might abandon the process, or that his statement that the US has until end of the year to change its approach could be a real cut-off point.
Meanwhile, North Korea is in purdah as it finalises its stance, and is refusing all contact with the US administration and even US-based groups working outside of official negotiation and mediation processes.
The first outcome of Pyongyang’s ongoing re-evaluation is the restructuring of the negotiating team. The powerful United Front Department has seemingly been sidelined in favour of the foreign affairs ministry.
The ministry, compared to the department, is a level removed from the decision-making process, so this is not necessarily a change for the better.