June 10, 2018
By Park Si-soo
U.S. President Trump (click here) is considering establishing official diplomatic ties with North Korea and eventually opening an embassy in Pyongyang, American media outlet Axios reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with preparations for Trump's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on Tuesday.
"It would all depend what he gets in return," Axios quoted a source close to the White House as saying. "Denuclearization would have to be happening."
This is one of many topics that could be discussed at the summit on June 12, it said. Opening a U.S. embassy in the North's capital was also discussed in pre-summit working-level talks, it added.
"It's definitely been discussed," Axios quoted the source as saying. "His (Trump) view is: 'We can discuss that: It's on the table. Let's see.' Of course we would consider it. There's almost nothing he'll take off the table going in."
Does Kim Jong Un have a Vice President of sorts? There is some discussion about a man taking leadership while Kim Jong Un travels.Choe Ryong-hae, (second from left) who is believed to be North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's right-hand man, is expected to stay in Pyongyang during Kim's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12, according to sources familiar with Pyongyang.
They speculated last week that Choe, vice chairman of the North's ruling Workers' Party, would be in charge of the repressive state until Kim returns home from Singapore.
"Choe is the most likely figure to control North Korea in the absence of Kim," a source said, pointing out that Choe hold several key titles.
