After Hanoi debacle, US must review its North Korea negotiating strategy
- Ankit Panda writes that as Kim Jong-un moves to ensure his survival, Washington will have to decide whether to keep demanding all or nothing from Pyongyang
Weeks after the collapse of the summit between Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam, the North Korean leader finally broke his silence.
In a speech heavily focused on foreign affairs delivered to the Supreme People’s Assembly – North Korea’s pro forma parliament – Kim made clear his position.
He said that a third summit with Trump wasn’t off the table just yet, but getting there would require evidence that the US position on sanctions relief had changed.
To this end, Kim also echoed a message he had originally delivered during his New Year’s Day address: that his patience is not infinite. He put in place a deadline for Trump. The United States would have to come around by the end of 2019.
While these were the headlines that came out of Kim’s speech, there were more ominous signs that North Korea may lessen its deference to Washington and resume provocative acts.
