U.S. notes Kim Yo-jong’s suggestion of talks beyond denuclearization

On August 7, Seth Bailey, acting deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the U.S. deputy special representative for North Korea, addressed the matter during a briefing in Arlington, Virginia. The event was hosted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to update families on the repatriation of Korean War remains.

“We note with interest Kim Yo-jong’s recent statement, along with other senior-level messages from North Korea’s leadership,” Bailey said.

Bailey emphasized that both President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung have shown a commitment to diplomacy with North Korea. He noted that the South Korean administration has taken “meaningful steps to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula” and has expressed willingness to engage with the North.

Kim Yo-jong’s statement on July 29 proposed that the U.S. consider “new pathways for engagement” based on an acknowledgment of what she called “irreversible nuclear power status” and a “changed geopolitical reality.” While rejecting negotiations focused on denuclearization, her remarks hinted at possible discussions centered on arms control or conflict management—if Washington accepts North Korea’s nuclear position.

Bailey reiterated that the U.S. has consistently conveyed to North Korea that the repatriation of American remains is a high priority. He explained this is why the issue was included in the 2018 Singapore Summit joint statement signed by President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

“The United States remains committed to the principles laid out in that statement,” Bailey said. “President Trump has made clear that he is willing to engage with North Korea in order to achieve the policy objectives defined at the summit.”

The 2018 statement outlined four major goals: establishing new U.S.–North Korea relations, building a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, working toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and recovering remains of U.S. prisoners of war and missing persons.

Bailey also referenced the U.S.–South Korea trade agreement announced by President Trump on July 30, calling it evidence of both countries’ ongoing commitment to modernizing and strengthening their alliance.

As an Indo-Pacific power, Bailey said, the U.S. remains focused on addressing economic and security challenges in the region. He added that the U.S. is dedicated to deterring destabilizing actions by North Korea and will use all instruments of national power to uphold peace in Northeast Asia.

BY MOOYOUNG LEE   [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]