Fresh faces for a fresh start?
A Washington Post report suggests that new blood in North Korea's negotiating team could prove the catalyst for a breakthrough in future denuclearization talks.
It also expects the regime's Vice Foreign Minister will lead the talks,... after the U.S. confirmed earlier the authority for the nuke talks has shifted to the North's Foreign Ministry from the United Front Department.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
North Korea's former top nuclear negotiator Kim Yong-chol reportedly displayed an arrogant attitude towards U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his aides during previous denuclearization talks.
Citing American officials,... the Washington Post reported North Korea's new negotiating team could bring fresh progress to Pyeongyang-Washington negotiations.
It also noted the Trump administration hopes the chemistry between the two leaders will unlock a spirit of cooperation that has been absent from the working-level negotiations between the two countries.
The article forecast the North's Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui could be U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun's counterpart.
Such analysis comes as Pompeo told reporters Sunday that the regime's Foreign Ministry would be leading the denuclearization talks,... confirming a shift from the United Front Department.
Quoting experts,... the article suggested Washington needs to have a shared understanding with Pyeongyang on the detailed conditions of denuclearization and secure a better assessment of the regime's nuclear weapons inventory.
It remains to be seen whether the two sides could seek a breakthrough during the resumed negotiations scheduled to take place in two to three weeks.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.