N. Korea makes low-key response to summit cancellation; economic reasons lying behind
  • 6 years ago
북한 "미국에 시간과 기회 줄 것"... 전례없는 공손한 태도로 미국 회유나서

North Korea's vice foreign minister released a statement on the situation just hours after Trump called off the meeting.
It was unusually gentle.... indicative of the regime's willingness to sit down for talks.
Oh Jung-hee zooms in on Pyongyang's response.
It was an unprecedentedly polished, polite, and low-key response from North Korea.
Only 8 hours after the announcement from Washington,... North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan released a statement 'upon authorization',... urging the U.S. to give more thought to cancelling the June 12th summit.

North Korea said it wants to give the U.S. more time and opportunity.
It highlighted it's willing to sit down face-to-face with Washington at any time, and in any format to work through their issues.
Pyongyang defended what President Trump called 'tremendous anger and open hostility,' saying it was (quote)"just a reaction" to Washington's pressure over unilateral denuclearization.
The regime went on to stress... that the current situation, which shows a very deep rift between the two sides, rather means the summit talks are urgently needed.

North Korea did express regret over Trump's decision,... but at the same time said... that the regime has been highly anticipating the summit as well as the so-called 'Trump model.'
Saying that Pyongyang appreciates Trump for making a decision that no other American president has,... the statement added... Kim Jong-un has been pouring his efforts into summit preparations.

"The fact that this statement was written 'upon authorization' means it's a message from Kim Jong-un. And notice how the statement mentioned the 'Trump model.' I believe this means that the North could be a bit flexible in its denuclearization talks with Washington."

Then why is North Korea so willing OR desperate to restore the summit talks, even willing to drop its pre-summit power struggle with the U.S.?
According to some experts, the motive lies in the recent policy shift... to economic development.

"The ultimate damage goes to Kim Jong-un because North Korea would face even greater economic sanctions and military pressure. So Kim Jong-un can't leave the game. Cancelling the summit talks would cause fundamental problems to Kim's new policy goal of economic development."

The regime is planning large-scale celebrations on September 9th for the 70th anniversary of the regime's establishment.
For the North Korean regime that needs to show its people some tangible accomplishments,... the Pyongyang-Washington summit could be an opportunity... too big to miss.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
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