성김-최선희 대화, 북미 후속협상 사실상 개시 - 조정훈 소장 대담

Joining us today to discuss these latest developments we have with us Cho Jung-hun , a professor from the Graduate School of International Affairs at Ajou University. Professor Cho, thank you for your time today.

My pleasure.

1 - It's been revealed that Sung Kim has met with Choe Son-hui at Panmunjom again. It seems to be preparatory talks ahead of Mike Pompeo's visit, possibly later this week. What do you make of this?

2 - Pompeo's meeting is expected to be an important barometer of whether North Korea will really begin to denuclearize. How do you see it going ahead? What do you think will come out of them?

3 - Ahead of this meeting, U.S. national security advisor, John Bolton, made a surprising statement during a TV interview over the weekend. He said that they have devised a plan to dismantle the bulk of North Korea's nuclear, biological and chemical weapons programs within a year if Pyongyang cooperates. Is that really possible?

4 - Bolton's somewhat optimistic stance seems to run counter to President Trump's. Trump seemed to temper expectations during another TV interview saying that it is possible that the deal with Kim Jong-un could fall apart. Pompeo has also said previously there is no set timeline for North Korea's denuclearization process. What should we make of these differing remarks?

5 - The U.S. media are citing U.S. intelligence sources that say North Korea has continued to enrich uranium and has been expanding its nuclear facilities as well. How surprising or unsurprising is that? It seems that despite the summits with the U.S. and South Korea, the regime's nuclear program is continuing as normal?

6 - Bolton had taken a backseat in dealing with North Korea, after his comments about the 'Libya model' sparked outrage from Pyongyang. What do you make of his re-emergence all of a sudden, especially with these kinds of statements?

7 - In the meantime, Kim Jong-un has made his first public appearance since his third summit with Xi Jinping. He was reported to have toured factories in Sinuiju, a city that is next to the border with China. Is it just coincidence that his first appearance after meeting with Xi is in a region that has strong economic ties with China or is there a message he's trying to send?

8 - Despite international sanctions on North Korea still being in place, China and Russia seems to be increasing some economic activity with the regime. The U.S. says it is trying to keep pressure on North Korea, but will that be possible?

9 - Here in South Korea, maritime radio communication with North Korea was re-established over the weekend. Other talks and joint ventures continue as well, such as forestation talks, and a joint basketball game this week. How do you foresee the inter-Korean relationship developing and what obstacles are there?

Thank you for your time.