North Korea May Suspend US Talks, Rethink Test Freeze After Hanoi

North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui has blamed the US for the failure of the Hanoi Summit, and warned that the country is considering withdrawing from talks with the US in general. Furthermore, North Korea may be rethinking the current freeze on missile and nuclear testing.

Choe said relations between President Trump and Kim Jong Un remain strong, but that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and John Bolton have “created an atmosphere of hostility and mistrust” that lead to the failure of the negotiations.

Indications are that a deal was being discussed for some sanctions relief and some denuclearization concessions. Sudden US demands for “more” derailed the deal at the last minute, and Trump walked away without signing any understanding.

Pompeo dismissed the reports, saying he has every expectation North Korea will continue the talks, and keep the freeze intact. Yet if the US is holding out for massive demands, and refuses to offer any concessions, North Korean officials may ultimately decide there is no reason to continue talking about it at all.