North Korea Ready for New Talks, Continues Rocket Tests

Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui issued a statement on Tuesday morning confirming that North Korea is ready for new talks, and wants a “comprehensive discussion” with the US at a future time that could be as soon as late September.

US officials have accused North Korea of not responding to recent requests to restart talks. North Korea was clearly upset about the US wargames on their southern border, and didn’t want to engage until those were over.

North Korea has also responded with a series of short-range rocket tests, most recently what their state media described as “super-large multiple rocket launcher,” a test done overnight.

President Trump has dismissed these tests as no obstacle, but so far there is no schedule for the next round of talks. The ouster of John Bolton, a major opponent of a deal, seems like it should help matters somewhat, but how much remains to be seen.