NIS analyzes a 50% chance of a North Korea-U.S. summit before or after APEC

The National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly that the summit between North Korea and the United States has about a 50% chance of taking place around the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, in November. The NIS assessed that North Korea is keeping open the possibility of turning this opportunity into dialogue. According to the NIS, North Korea is refraining from direct criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump and continues to confirm conditions such as recognition as a nucleararmed state and the lifting of hostile policies toward North Korea. It also reported intelligence that North Korea's officials in charge of relations with the U.S. are busily continuing related movements. The NIS explained that Ukraine first privately requested that North Korean prisoners of war be sent to South Korea. It also analyzed that behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public disclosure of this, there may have been an element of expecting additional support from South Korea. In addition, it reported to the National Assembly information related to State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un, Workers' Party Department Director Kim Yo Jong, and Kim Ju Ae, who is being mentioned as a successor.