SEOUL: According to a senior North Korean diplomat who recently defected to South Korea, if Donald Trump is reelected as president, North Korea wants to resume nuclear talks with the United States and is putting together a new negotiation plan.
Last month, Ri Il Gyu’s escape from Cuba made headlines worldwide. Since 2016, he has been the highest-ranking diplomat from North Korea to defect to the South. In his first interview with foreign media, Ri stated that the US, Japan, and Russia are North Korea’s top foreign policy priorities for the coming year and beyond.
According to Ri, Pyongyang was eager to resume nuclear talks while fortifying ties with Russia if Trump who, in his previous term, engaged in both intense brinkmanship and unprecedented diplomacy with North Korea won reelection in November.
According to Ri, Pyongyang’s diplomats were formulating a plan for that eventuality, one that included removing the sanctions on its weapons programs, getting rid of its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and attracting financial assistance. His remarks suggest that the North may be reversing its current position in light of recent declarations that rejected the idea of holding talks with the US and threatened armed conflict.
Also Read: