Senior North Korean Official and U.S. Secretary of State Meet in New York

As the possibility of a meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un increases, the former head of North Korea's intelligence agency has met and discussed with the U.S. Secretary of State in New York. The visit of the senior official from Pyongyang to the U.S. is unprecedented in the last two decades. Kim Yong-chol, Deputy Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, traveled from China to the U.S. and engaged in discussions with Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, during a 'working dinner' on June 9. This is the first time since 2000 that a senior North Korean official has visited the U.S. East Asian news outlets report that the meetings and discussions between him and Pompeo are aimed at finding common ground for a summit between the two countries and ultimately denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The Associated Press, citing U.S. officials, stated that the talks between Mr. Kim and Mr. Pompeo aim to revive the planned meeting between Trump and the North Korean leader on June 12 in Singapore. Sarah Sanders, White House spokesperson, told reporters that the main focus of the negotiations is on 'denuclearization of the peninsula.' Ms. Sanders expressed satisfaction with the recent meeting between a senior U.S. diplomat and North Korean officials, stating, 'So far, the results of the meetings have been positive, and we will continue to move forward.' Kim Yong-chol is said to have significant influence within the leadership of Pyongyang and is described as the 'right-hand man' of the North Korean leader. He had also met with Mr. Pompeo during the latter's visit to North Korea. South Korea's state news agency reports that he is carrying a letter from Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader. Kim Yong-chol is suspected of commanding the deadly attack on a North Korean warship in 2010 and, due to existing sanctions, is unable to travel to the U.S. and South Korea. Therefore, his current visit indicates that these travel sanctions or parts of them have been temporarily suspended. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, who had canceled the planned meeting with the North Korean leader, expressed hope on June 5 that it could still take place. The initial meeting was scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, but after some exchanges of statements and criticisms between senior officials of the two countries, Mr. Trump suspended it. It is still unclear whether the Singapore summit will take place and, if so, whether it will be on the previously announced date. Based on current analyses and reports, it seems that the manner and process of North Korea's denuclearization are points of contention between the parties. The U.S. government states that denuclearization must be complete, irreversible, and verifiable within a specific and short timeframe. However, currently, Pyongyang opposes unilateral disarmament and demands a 'phased and simultaneous' approach, meaning a step-by-step halt to its nuclear-military program and the suspension and cessation of sanctions.