NIS: "High Possibility of North Korea-U.S. Summit... May Be Pursued After South Korea-U.S. Drills Next March"

Kim Jong Un Shows Clear Willingness for Dialogue with the U.S.
Adjusts His Stance in Response to Trump's Remarks

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reported that Kim Jong Un, Chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, is showing a willingness to resume dialogue with the United States, and that there is a high possibility that a North Korea-U.S. summit could be pursued again after the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises in March next year.

Yonhap News Agency

On November 4, during a parliamentary audit of the Intelligence Committee held at its headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul, the NIS stated, "Although a North Korea-U.S. meeting on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju was canceled, various indications have been confirmed through multiple channels that North Korea is preparing behind the scenes for dialogue with the United States."

The NIS added, "There are signs that Chairman Kim has analyzed the tendencies of the U.S. administration's working-level officials on North Korea, which appears to be a preliminary step in anticipation of resuming dialogue in the future."

The agency further stated, "Since the Supreme People's Assembly, Chairman Kim has refrained from making direct remarks about nuclear armament and is adjusting the level of his statements," and added, "This change has emerged after he hinted at the possibility of conditional dialogue with the United States."

The NIS also reported, "After U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to meet with Chairman Kim during his tour of Asia, it was observed that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Sonhui was deliberating until the last minute about visiting China and Russia. This suggests that Chairman Kim is highly likely to seek contact with the United States if conditions are met in the future."

Additionally, the NIS stated, "North Korea's recent systematic collection of information on key U.S. officials involved in North Korea policy and international organization representatives is interpreted as part of its preparations for future North Korea-U.S. talks. Based on strengthened cooperation with Russia and the restoration of North Korea-China relations, North Korea is seeking to resume relations with the United States."

The NIS concluded, "Taking all these indications into account, there is a high possibility that a North Korea-U.S. summit will be pursued again after the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises in March next year."