Seoul – North Korea appears to be laying the groundwork for a potential summit with the United States in the coming year, according to an assessment by South KoreaS National Intelligence Service (NIS). The agency briefed lawmakers Tuesday on indicators suggesting Pyongyang is preparing to re-engage in dialog.
This advancement arrives amid a period of stalled denuclearization talks and heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. A high-level meeting between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump could significantly impact regional security and the future of negotiations aimed at dismantling North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. The NIS anticipates any such meeting woudl likely occur after the planned U.S.-ROK joint military drills scheduled for March.
Lawmakers were informed of the NIS’s assessment during a National Assembly Intelligence Committee audit.The intelligence agency cited observed preparations within North Korea as evidence supporting the likelihood of a renewed push for a summit.While details of these preparations remain undisclosed, the assessment signals a potential shift in Pyongyang’s strategy.
Previous summits between Kim and Trump, in 2018 and 2019, yielded limited progress on denuclearization. The working-level talks that followed ultimately broke down, leading to a standstill in diplomatic efforts. A new summit would represent a critical chance to restart negotiations and address the ongoing concerns surrounding North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
