South Korea's spy agency said Tuesday that a summit between U.S. President 
Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could take place at any time, citing possible signs of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) gave the assessment in a closed-door briefing to the National Assembly's intelligence committee, as relayed by lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party. In Washington, a White House official said U.S. policy on North Korea had not changed.
What did the NIS tell lawmakers? "Regarding a North Korea-U.S. summit, we should consider it possible at any time," the agency was quoted as saying, adding that no concrete facts of dialogue had been established but there were signs of it. On President Lee Jae Myung's proposal for talks on formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War, the NIS said the agency itself had made no contact with the North.
What has the White House said? "U.S. policy on North Korea has not changed. President Trump remains open to talking with Kim Jong-un without any preconditions," the official said in an email answering a question from Yonhap on whether the White House was seriously preparing for a summit. The official said Trump's three summits with Kim in his first term had "stabilized the Korean Peninsula." On Monday, Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, said the White House had asked his agency what it could do should Trump reach a deal with Kim.
How has Pyongyang responded? The North said Kim had "good memories and feelings" about Trump and that their relationship remains "excellent," but did not clearly respond to his overtures, CNA reported. Hours after Trump said in August it was important to "get along" with Kim, North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area. Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong said Trump's decision to scale back joint drills with South Korea was Seoul's "comeuppance."
What did Bolton say? Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said at an online forum he thought Trump would look at Pyongyang for a new meeting because he has already met Kim in Singapore and walked into North Korea at the DMZ. He said Trump wants "pictures" and "distraction" from issues at home and abroad, and warned of the "very high" risk of another meeting, recalling there was "zero planning" when Trump abruptly said he would suspend joint drills with South Korea soon after the 2018 Singapore summit.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
