北 김영철 미국행, 북미 고위급회담 예정 - 송세련 교수 대담
To look further into what these developments mean, we have with us Professor Song Se-ryun from Kyung Hee University. Professor, thank you for coming in today.
Great to be here.
1 - Kim Yong-chol, one of Kim Jong-un's most senior and trusted advisors is going to New York. What does that say now about the North Korea-U.S. relationship? Does this signal that the many areas of dispute are starting to be resolved? Especially concerning denuclearization?
2 - What is left to talk about when Kim Yong-chol meets with Mike Pompeo later? What still needs to be resolved?
3 - Kim Yong-chol is on the U.S. blacklist and should be banned from visiting the U.S. But it looks like he has been granted a waiver. Can you explain how this might work?
4 - When Mike Pompeo visited Pyongyang, he was granted an audience with Kim Jong-un. Do you think Trump will extend the same offer to Kim Yong-chol?
5 - Before Kim Yong-chol came to the U.S. he is said to have changed his original flight, and spent a day in Beijing, where he is thought to have met with Chinese officials. What does that signal, and what kind of effect does it have on the talks with the U.S.? (One can't help but be suspicious...)
6 - There are also rumors emerging that Xi Jinping might visit Pyongyang before the North Korea-U.S. summit on June 12th, for a third summit with Kim Jong-un in as many months. By trying to stay so involved in the situation, does it betray China's desperation (and fears) that they will be sidelined?
7 - The working-level talks in Panmunjom are reported to be carrying on for a third day today. They are said to be going well, but it does seem to be going on longer than originally expected. Do you think they are making progress?
8 - There are another set of talks reported to be taking place in Singapore, sorting out the logistical details. What do you think will be their main points of discussion?
9 - The two Koreas are set to meet on Friday, with the delegations lists received from both sides. But on Tuesday, North Korean state media once again brought up the issue of a group of restaurant workers that defected to South Korea in 2016. They accuse the previous South Korean administration of kidnapping them and have asked for their return, while Seoul of course says they defected of their own free will. Why do you think they keep bringing up this issue and can it be something that is resolved?
Thank you for your time.
