Taeyoungho, "Low Possibility of North Korea-US Summit Before US Presidential Election"

Low Likelihood Diagnosed for North Korea Provocation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Tae Young-ho, a member of the Future United Party, judged on the 12th (local time) that the possibility of a North Korea-U.S. summit before the U.S. presidential election in November and North Korea's military provocations is low.

On the same day, at an online discussion event hosted by the U.S. think tank Heritage Foundation, Representative Tae said, "I do not believe that an 'October Surprise' summit or any North Korea-U.S. summit is possible."

He explained, based on a statement issued last month by Kim Yo-jong, the first deputy director of the Workers' Party, that "Kim Jong-un is unlikely to agree to such a summit unless there are concrete results."

Regarding President Donald Trump's remarks that he would quickly reach an agreement with North Korea if re-elected, he analyzed, "North Korea may view this as President Trump's election strategy to prevent interference in the election through military provocations."

Representative Tae pointed out, "Kim Jong-un is well aware that President Trump's re-election is the best opportunity to make a favorable agreement for himself."

He added, "I do not believe Kim Jong-un will do anything provocative that would harm President Trump's re-election," and explained that, unusually for the North Korean system, Kim Yo-jong requested a DVD of the U.S. Independence Day in her statement, indicating that North Korea is not excluding dialogue with the United States.

Representative Tae also observed that the current situation in North Korea is not conducive to provocations, noting that food conditions are very difficult and there may be damage from the novel coronavirus infection.