 |
|
Andrew Kim, former director of the CIA’s Korea Mission Center, talks with reporters following his lecture at Stanford University’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center on Feb. 22. (Yonhap News)
|
Former director of CIA’s Korea Mission Center gives optimistic viewpoint at Stanford lecture
In April 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that he doesn’t want his children to spend their whole life carrying the burden of nuclear weapons, according to Andrew Kim, former director of the CIA’s Korea Mission Center. Andrew Kim also unveiled a roadmap for denuclearization in which the final stage would be North Korea rejoining the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Since Andrew Kim was one of the major figures behind the scenes of North Korea-US dialogue until the second half of last year, these remarks appear to be aimed at countering skepticism about the second North Korea-US summit while pushing the North to make a bold decision. During a lecture at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University on Feb. 22, Andrew Kim shared his experience of meeting Kim Jong-un during a visit to Pyongyang with Pompeo in late March and early April last year, prior to the first North Korea-US summit on June 12. Andrew Kim retired from the CIA at the end of last year and is currently a visiting scholar at Stanford University. According to Andrew Kim, Kim Jong-un answered Pompeo’s question about whether he was willing to dismantle his nuclear program by saying, “I’m a father and a husband. And I have children. And I don’t want my children to carry the nuclear weapon issue on their backs their whole lives.” Kim Jong-un also emphasized his determination to improve North Korea-US relations. Andrew Kim said that the North Korean leader’s remarks mean that the two sides need to focus on building confidence and a warmer relationship so that they can trust each other enough for the North to give up its nuclear ambitions, given the two countries’ hostile relationship that has lasted for more than 70 years. Says Kim Jong-un is good negotiating partner who is well-informed and speaks positively Andrew Kim described the North Korean leader as charming and a good negotiating partner. According to the former CIA official, Kim Jong-un knows how to get to the point, is well-informed on technical matters, and is capable of a positive speaking style. Andrew Kim said that, though he never met former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, he knew something of his style, and that, if he were to compare the two leaders, he would definitely choose Kim Jong-un as his partner. Andrew Kim noted that not all North Koreans support giving up nuclear weapons and that it’s good to work with someone who’s willing to move in a positive direction despite that risk. Kim also introduced a plan for North Korea’s denuclearization and the US’ corresponding measures. In regard to the roadmap for North Korea’s denuclearization, Kim suggested that the North could begin with a continuing suspension of its nuclear weapons and missile tests; make a comprehensive declaration of its program and allow inspections by experts; dismantle its nuclear weapons, delivery systems and nuclear materials; and rejoin the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, from which it withdrew in 2003. Kim said that North Korea’s declaration would have to include not only its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles but also its biological and chemical weapons. Kim divides incentives into economic, political and security categories Kim divided the incentives that the US could give North Korea in compensation for its denuclearization into three categories: economic, political and security. Economic incentives included humanitarian support, easing international transactions by North Korean banks, easing sanctions on North Korean imports and exports and lifting sanctions on joint ventures in North Korean economic zones. Political incentives included lifting the travel ban, establishing joint liaison offices, initiating cultural exchange, removing Kim Jong-un’s family members and senior officials from the blacklist and revoking North Korea’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Security incentives included signing an end-of-war declaration, military cooperation with North Korea, signing a peace treaty and establishing diplomatic relations. But Kim also mentioned that North Korea wants recognition as a nuclear weapon state. Kim said that sanctions on North Korea could be lifted when the US’ goal of final and fully verified denuclearization is close to being realized. Kim said that the US government believes that the dismantlement of North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facilities would substantially degrade North Korea’s capability to produce nuclear weapons but that the North would have to do more than that to gain the recognition it seeks.
 |
|
Kim (circled) and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in May 2018. (KCTV/Yonhap News)
|
