North Korea Eyes Nuclear Talks Revival if Trump Wins: Ex-Diplomat

North Korea is interested in reopening nuclear talks with the United States if Donald Trump is re-elected as president, according to Ri Il Gyu, a senior North Korean diplomat who recently defected to South Korea. Ri, who defected from Cuba last month, is the highest-ranking North Korean diplomat to have done so since 2016.

In his first interview with international media, Ri disclosed that North Korea’s top foreign policy priorities this year are Russia, the U.S., and Japan. While strengthening ties with Russia, Pyongyang is keen to resume nuclear negotiations with Trump, should he win the 2024 election. Ri stated that North Korean diplomats are devising a strategy to lift sanctions on their weapons programs, remove their designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and secure economic aid.

This potential shift comes after recent North Korean statements dismissing dialogue with the U.S. and warning of armed confrontation. Ri partially blamed the collapse of the 2019 summit between Kim Jong Un and Trump on Kim’s decision to involve “inexperienced, clueless” military commanders in nuclear diplomacy. He emphasized that, if Trump were re-elected, the foreign ministry would likely take charge of negotiations, making it harder for Trump to constrain North Korea without offering concessions.

Regarding relations with Russia, Ri noted that closer ties have helped North Korea with missile technology and the economy. More importantly, it has allowed Pyongyang to circumvent additional sanctions and weaken existing ones, thus enhancing its bargaining power against the U.S.

In Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed interest in meeting Kim, but the longstanding issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea remains a barrier. Ri suggested that Kim might seek a summit with Japan to gain economic assistance in exchange for concessions on the abductee issue. While Japan believes 17 of its citizens were abducted, North Korea claims the matter is settled. Ri indicated that Kim might be willing to revise this stance to obtain economic support.

Ri’s defection was driven by personal grievances, including bullying by a diplomatic colleague and the regime’s refusal to allow him to seek medical treatment in Mexico for a ruptured neck disc. These incidents, combined with the hardships exacerbated by the COVID-19 lockdown and financial struggles forcing North Korea to close several diplomatic missions, fueled his decision to defect.

Ri also tried to block the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba, a Cold War ally of North Korea. He now views South Korea’s success in establishing these relations as a significant achievement, reflecting the changing tides of history and the progress of international civilization.