Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

North Korea and Trump administration quietly involved in 'back channel' diplomacy
ap ^ | August 11, 2017 | Matthew Pennington

Posted on 08/13/2017 6:45:06 PM PDT by re_tail20

Beyond the bluster, the Trump administration has been quietly engaged in back channel diplomacy with North Korea for several months, addressing Americans imprisoned in the communist country and deteriorating relations between the long-time foes, The Associated Press has learned.

It had been known the two sides had discussions to secure the June release of an American university student. But it wasn't known until now that the contacts have continued, or that they have broached matters other than U.S. detainees.

People familiar with the contacts say the interactions have done nothing thus far to quell tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile advances, which are now fueling fears of military confrontation.

But they say the behind-the-scenes discussions could still be a foundation for more serious negotiation, including on North Korea's nuclear weapons, should President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un put aside the bellicose rhetoric of recent days and endorse a dialogue.

The contacts are occurring regularly between Joseph Yun, the U.S. envoy for North Korea policy, and Pak Song Il, a senior North Korean diplomat at the country's U.N. mission, according to U.S. officials and others briefed on the process. They weren't authorized to discuss the confidential exchanges and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Officials call it the "New York channel." Yun is the only U.S. diplomat in contact with any North Korean counterpart. The communications largely serve as a way to exchange messages, allowing Washington and Pyongyang to relay information.

Drowned out by the furor over Trump's warning to North Korea of "fire and fury like the world has never seen," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has expressed a willingness to entertain negotiations. His condition: Pyongyang stopping tests of missiles that can now potentially reach the U.S. mainland.

Tillerson has even hinted at an ongoing...

(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: northkorea
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

1 posted on 08/13/2017 6:45:06 PM PDT by re_tail20
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: re_tail20
Ha haaaaa!!!

Watch how quickly The Fake News Media turns this into "Collusion!"

Which, I believe, is North Korean for, "Squirrel!"

2 posted on 08/13/2017 6:48:36 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

I’ll wait to hear it from a more credible source than the AP.


3 posted on 08/13/2017 6:49:15 PM PDT by Steely Tom (Liberals think in propaganda)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20
Gee whaddasupprise. I opined last week that the theatrics and bluster up front were for public consumption while real business would be conducted behind the scenes. This is standard, not just my idea. But the media are so invested in portraying Trump as a danger to the republic that they would never willingly entertain the idea. Now I guess AP has broken the silence. Good for them.
4 posted on 08/13/2017 6:50:00 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

People familiar with....aka...unnamed sources


5 posted on 08/13/2017 6:51:49 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

Is the CIA loading up some C-130s with pallets of serious ca$h?


6 posted on 08/13/2017 6:52:23 PM PDT by Paladin2 (No spelchk nor wrong word auto substition on mobile dev. Please be intelligent and deal with it....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

Send them a freighter full of tree bark and grass flavored Ramen noodles.


7 posted on 08/13/2017 6:57:53 PM PDT by Daniel Ramsey (Thank YOU President Trump, finally we can do what America does best, to be the best!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

The US talking to Kimmy young one’s government in an effort to avert the imminent destruction of NorK? Only the most dense, Trump-hating Dhimmicrat, BLM-loving, ‘progressive’, Bernie-bot would disbelieve that...

I guess that means 20% of the US popuation, unfortunately.


8 posted on 08/13/2017 7:00:18 PM PDT by A Formerly Proud Canadian (I once was blind but now I see...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

I thought this was the case when T-Rex was so calm about the remarks Trump was making. If Tillerson was truly upset, he would have walked out at that point. He already knows something. The rough remarks had to be made though, just to get Little Kim’s attention. You want to rattle some sabers? We can rattle them too, and just as loudly!


9 posted on 08/13/2017 7:07:34 PM PDT by lee martell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

In over 25 years that I am aware of North Korea has never negotiated in good faith. I wonder if Obama was making payments to North Korea through back channels?


10 posted on 08/13/2017 7:24:02 PM PDT by Parley Baer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lee martell
The rough remarks had to be made though

It's part of the dialog, you know, like when Kennedy put a blockade on Cuber.

11 posted on 08/13/2017 7:34:34 PM PDT by AndyJackson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

There have always been back channel, side channel communications with NK. Richardson, Rodman, Jesse Jackson, Chinese diplomats, on and on and on.......

So what, they all ended up being used like door knobs. You can’t have progress without change.

The only change NK has made is to develop better weapons.


12 posted on 08/13/2017 7:39:43 PM PDT by gandalftb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2
Is the CIA loading up some C-130s with pallets of serious ca$h?

I certainly hope he's not going to pull an Obama.

13 posted on 08/13/2017 8:39:26 PM PDT by libertylover (In 2016 small-town America got tired of being governed by people who don't know a boy from a girl.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: AndyJackson

Why did Kennedy do that? Pronounce Cuba as ‘Cuber’.
He didn’t have a problem saying ‘chowder’ like Cuba.

Li’l Kim must be s******g his trousahs.


14 posted on 08/13/2017 8:46:29 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Steely Tom
Real Sunday News! ..Top US General Is on the Move...

According to Washington Journal.... Top US General..." Gen. Joe Dunford"...arrives in S.Korea today....Gen. Dunford began a swing through the region Sunday, with a stop to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, along with newly appointed defense officials and commanders.....Monday he leaves for Beijing and will also visit Tokyo this week.


15 posted on 08/13/2017 8:48:38 PM PDT by caww
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: tumblindice

“Why did Kennedy do that? Pronounce Cuba as ‘Cuber’.
He didn’t have a problem saying ‘chowder’ like Cuba’


That’s our Boston accent——add an “r” when it is not needed,remove the “r” when it is required.

:-)

.


16 posted on 08/13/2017 8:51:00 PM PDT by Mears
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: caww

Oops...that’s not Washington Journal..rather Wall Street Journal...sorry


17 posted on 08/13/2017 8:51:46 PM PDT by caww
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Mears

HA! I lived in R.Island for a few months and traveled for work to Mass. every day. You are so right about the “r”....lolol...took getting use to.


18 posted on 08/13/2017 8:53:40 PM PDT by caww
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Mears

OK. I won’t have a ‘hat attack’ over it.
;-)


19 posted on 08/13/2017 8:55:05 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: tumblindice

“OK. I won’t have a ‘hat attack’ over it.
;-)”

I will be forevuh grateful that you don’t.

.


20 posted on 08/13/2017 9:02:58 PM PDT by Mears
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson