U.S. experts assess Pyongyang’s invitation

American experts weighed in on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s invitation for a summit with President Moon Jae-in, delivered by his younger sister and special envoy, Kim Yo-jong, with many expressing skepticism over whether it could lead to talks between Pyongyang and Washington.

JoongAng Ilbo on Saturday conducted a survey of eight Korea experts who were asked about the likelihood of this leading to U.S.-North Korean contact and if there would be any friction between Washington and Seoul over engagement with Pyongyang.

Washington has indicated some level of openness to engagement with the North, while continuing to enforce its maximum pressure campaign. 

“I doubt very much that the White House will endorse President Moon’s moves, especially if he argues for an additional delay or reduction in U.S. exercises planned for the spring,” said Jonathan D. Pollack, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s John L. Thornton China Center and Center for East Asia Policy.

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