The U.S. point person on North Korea, special envoy Joseph Yun, announced his retirement in late February and has not been replaced. North Korea has agreed to suspend missile and nuclear tests, according to South Korea, potentially reducing the likelihood of a breakdown. Lambert, who has been involved in six-party talks on North Korea in Beijing in the past, now runs the “New York channel,” a communication link between the United States and North Korea through Pyongyang’s mission at the United Nations. The South Korean administration of President Moon Jae-in has taken a top-down approach to diplomacy with North Korea, establishing high-level connections before working out details. People with experience negotiating with North Korea remain skeptical that U.S. officials will discover Kim intends to give up his nuclear weapons.

Source: Washington Post March 08, 2018 22:57 UTC