US Special Envoy for North Korea Arrives in Seoul

The US special envoy for North Korea Sung Kim arrived in South Korea on Saturday (23/10) to restart stalled denuclearization talks with North Korea.

US-North Korea talks stalled more than two years ago over the easing of US-led sanctions on condition that North Korea scale back its nuclear weapons program.

Sung’s visit comes after North Korea launched a new ballistic missile from a submarine on Tuesday (19/10) off the east coast, the latest in a series of missile tests launched by North Korea.

Kim told reporters Saturday he anticipated “productive” talks with South Korean officials at Sunday’s meeting.

North Korea has rejected US requests to restart talks. North Korea demanded the US end its “hostile sanctions policy” and joint military exercises with South Korea.

North Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho on Saturday (23/10) accused the US of increasing military tensions with China by “recklessly” providing Taiwan with weapons and training assistance. He also said the growing US military in the region was a threat to North Korea. [vm/ ft]