The Singapore summit was only 2 weeks ago but worried reactions pile up as NK seems to be stymieing further contact and sounds noncommittal toward denuclearization (Yongbyon). This follows KJU's third meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing on June 20-21.
news.donga.com/List/PoliticsN…
news.donga.com/List/PoliticsN…
Pompeo talked with SK FM Kang Kyung-hwa recently and said he is well-aware of NK's stalling tactics and for now NK hasn't responded to any proposed time table. Per Donga, he disclosed he's not even aware who his NK counterpart is: whether it's Kim Yong-chol or NK FM Ri Yong-ho
Pompeo also told Kang that the "talent is thin" at the State Dept as far as NK specialists are concerned. He stressed Trump handed over most of the responsibility of dealing with NK to him and said he is wary of China's influence on NK: Xi Jinping could make this very complicated
With regard to US MIA & POW remains, NK hasn't confirmed when the transfer might take place. It was expected to be this week but now it seems to be this weekend or next week. Plus Pompeo may be delaying going to NK as he doens't want to return empty-handed
rfa.org/korean/in_focu…
rfa.org/korean/in_focu…
Reactions of Korea hands. Former ambassador to SK & 6-party talks rep Christopher Hill: We're finally realizing this is a complex process. It didn't end in Singapore. Pompeo now knows it's not easy. Nonetheless it's a positive stop on the "road to reality"
voakorea.com/a/4455931.html
voakorea.com/a/4455931.html
Ex-ambassador to SK Alexander Vershbow on Pompeo saying there is now no specific timetable for NK to denuke: "It’s a step backward. It may reflect continued resistance by NK" to set up a rapid time table to denuke and to meet the earlier target of 2 years.
yonhapnewstv.co.kr/MYH20180613005…
yonhapnewstv.co.kr/MYH20180613005…
Is blaming China an excuse? After KJU's 2nd summit with Xi, he began to press for stopping US-SK military exercises in return for denuking ("freeze for freeze"). Until then, NK seemed focused on putting an end to the Korean War but it has since clammed up
Tokyo Shimbun reported 2 days ago that in Dalian, Xi Jinping pressed KJU to hold off on the end of war declaration as China participated in the Korean War and incurred heavy casualties. Plus China is also a signatory to the Korean Armistice Agreement
news.donga.com/List/PoliticsN…
news.donga.com/List/PoliticsN…
Until then KJU was gung-ho about declaring an end to the Korean War which is a natural precondition for signing a peace treaty and establishing diplomatic relations with the US. In fact, that's part of the "peace regime" that he agreed to at the Panmunjom Declaration: §3¶3 
This is what Joseph Yun is referring to: "It's not certain NK even wants that now." That is, declaring the Korean War over, transitioning from the Armistice Agreement to a peace treaty, establishing diplomatic relations, Pyongyang's US embassy, etc.
