Thread by @NoonInKorea

SoS Pompeo making his 3rd trip to NK (July 5-7). Unlike his first 2 trips, this one is fully announced and he'll fly directly from and fly back to Japan's Yokota AFB. He's not stopping in SK as he'll meet with SK & Japanese officials in Tokyo from July 7-8
yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2018/…

This trip was apparently planned without full coordination with the SK side. SK foreign minister Kang KH is scheduled to visit India and Singapore with Pres Moon from July 7-8. SK officials are scrambling to send either Kang or someone in lieu to Tokyo
news.donga.com/List/PoliticsN…

Incidentally, even though Pompeo will visit from 7/5 to 7/7, it will be 2, not 3 days as he'll lose at least half a day flying eastward. Pompeo has his work cut out but if he gets it done, analysts think Trump will reward KJU with an invitation to NY
news.joins.com/article/227706…

Per Axios that invitation could be for another summit at perhaps Trump Plaza and, if it takes place in September, could be packaged with an invitation to address the UN General Assembly. This would go the extra mile in executing the "Embrace NK" strategy
news.donga.com/3/all/20180703…

Meanwhile Japan's Asahi reports NK ignored US request for a meeting for 3 weeks because it was waiting to see if China would respond to its call to lift sanctions early. KJU again reportedly told Xi Jinping his intent to pursue reform and liberalization
news.donga.com/List/PoliticsN…

Asahi also reports no progress made at a Panmunjom meeting between Sung Kim and Choe Son-hui, neither on denuclearization nor transferring MIA-POW remains. Choe reportedly called for US to lift sanctions as a quid pro quo for NK blowing up Punggye-ri
news.joins.com/article/227715…

Asahi's take on the Panmunjom meeting between Sung Kim-Choi is that the meeting once again stalled and the two ended up merely confirming Pompeo's visit. The US wants tangible progress on denuclearization by this Fall but NK is banking on China and asking early concessions

There're several issues here. What the heck is "Embrace NK" strategy? There're 2 versions of that and it's like (1) make NK drink from a poisoned chalice and (2) use NK as a battleground piece in a "slow envelopment" strategy to smother China's expansion. Both need elaboration

Will no progress lead to a blockade or hardening of US attitude and back to max pressure? There is already moderate pressure being put on NK: people aren't paying attention re movement of military hardware. There is plenty happening in Japan's US bases

https://twitter.com/RandyGo52222435/status/1014382091218214912

SK confirms Foreign Minister Kang will be in Tokyo on July 7-8 to be briefed by Pompeo on his meeting with KJU. After Pompeo, Kang will join Pres Moon and his contingent that will be on previously-scheduled visits to India and Singapore.
yonhapnews.co.kr/politics/2018/…