National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak: "It Is More Constructive Not to Raise Expectations for Resuming Dialogue with North Korea"

Trump's Attendance at APEC Increasingly Likely
Kim Jong Un's Participation Considered Unlikely
North Korea Remains Passive; Resumption of Dialogue Depends on Pyongyang's Willingness
Kim Jong Un's Attendance at China's Victory Day Parade and Advance Announcement Seen as Unusual
Monitoring Potential Deepening Divisions Between South Korea-U.S.-Japan and North Korea-China-Russia
Continued Cooperation With the U.S. for Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula

National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak stated that it has become increasingly likely that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to be held in Gyeongju in October. However, Advisor Wi predicted that the possibility of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attending the summit, which was mentioned during the South Korea-U.S. summit, is low.

Yonhap News

On the 29th, appearing on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Advisor Wi was asked whether it was almost certain that President Trump would attend APEC. He responded, "The possibility has grown." Regarding the possibility of Chairman Kim participating in APEC, he said, "We should consider it unlikely."

Advisor Wi also expressed a cautious stance regarding the resumption of inter-Korean summits. When asked if a meeting at Panmunjom, similar to 2018, was possible, he replied, "I don't know. We'll have to wait and see," adding, "At present, North Korea is not showing any willingness to engage in dialogue with us, nor with the United States." He continued, "From a realistic perspective, it would be more constructive not to raise expectations too high regarding the possibility of dialogue."

Advisor Wi further stated that the resumption of both North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean summits ultimately depends on North Korea's willingness. He said, "We have raised the issue of resuming the North Korea-U.S. summit, and President Trump's response was positive; there seems to be such intent. These are all good developments," but added, "However, the key is for North Korea to respond, and currently, North Korea is taking a very passive and negative stance. If we raise our expectations too high, it may not help encourage North Korea to respond." He concluded, "Rather than setting our expectations too high, I think it is better to remain calm and simply wait for North Korea to respond."

He assessed it as unusual that Chairman Kim has decided to attend China's Victory Day military parade on September 3 and that this was publicly announced in advance. Advisor Wi said, "When Chairman Kim travels abroad, sometimes it is done secretly and only revealed after he is on site, but this time it is a multilateral stage," adding, "Since the Victory Day event is a gathering of many, it seems they announced it in advance, which is somewhat unprecedented. He rarely attended such events in the past."

He went on to say, "We will have to wait and see, but I think this is a development that deserves considerable attention," explaining, "There could be a summit with China, possibly with Russia as well, and there may even be other formats. These are possibilities we are considering."

Advisor Wi also stated that, in light of Chairman Kim's attendance at China's Victory Day and the potential for deepening divisions between South Korea-U.S.-Japan and North Korea-China-Russia, South Korea plans to continue consultations with the United States. He said, "What we are pursuing is the restoration of dialogue to advance denuclearized peace, and for that, tensions must first be eased and trust must be built. We intend to continue such diplomatic efforts," adding, "We have been conducting such consultations with the United States, and now we are watching for North Korea's response."