N Korea and US holding informal talks

SINGAPORE - North Korean and American envoys are due to hold unofficial talks in Singapore today that observers say could give a measure of how serious the reclusive regime is about curbing its nuclear ambitions.

The North has been on a charm offensive in recent months, sending representatives to South Korea, the US and Europe as well as releasing two long-held American prisoners.

But analysts remain deeply sceptical over whether these moves mark a temporary change caused by ongoing economic duress or a more fundamental shift in the thinking of the Kim Jong Un regime.

Washington pundits largely believe it is a case of the former, noting for instance that the State Department has made it very clear it has no expectations from the Singapore talks.

The meeting in Singapore is considered "Track 2" in that it does not involve government-to-government contact. Pyongyang's delegation will be led by North Korea's chief nuclear envoy Ri Yong Ho while the American group is headed by the former US special envoy for North Korea policy Stephen Bosworth.

Read the full article at Asia One.