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Wednesday 28 February 2018

US envoy on North Korea exits as window for talks may be opening

By MAT PENNINGTON as special representative a former U.S. ambassador
JOSH LEDERMAN for North Korean policy on to Malaysia, has been the
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jo- Friday. He said his deci- State Department's point
seph Yun, a 30-year vet- sion to retire is entirely his man for its limited contact
eran of the U.S. foreign own but it comes at a sur- with the North Korean gov-
service who retained quiet prising juncture, just after ernment through a back
contacts with North Korea American ally South Korea channel at the U.S. diplo-
amid the Trump administra- relayed that the North is matic mission to the United
tion's turbulent first year, is open to direct discussions Nations in New York. The
retiring as Washington and with the United States. His adversaries from the Kore-
Pyongyang step up con- departure will leave the an War don't have formal
siderations for formal diplo- Trump administration with- relations, and the so-called
matic talks. out an envoy for engaging "New York channel" is the
Yun told The Associated North Korea or an ambas- primary means for convey-
Press he will stand down sador in South Korea. Yun, ing messages between the
In this Dec. 15, 2017 photo, U.S. special envoy for North Korea
policy Joseph Yun, speaks to media in Bangkok, Thailand. Yun
is retiring as Washington and Pyongyang step up considerations
for formal diplomatic talks.
(AP Photo/Krit Phromsakla Nasakolnakorn)
two governments. tire, but our diplomatic ef-
"One of my accomplish- forts regarding North Korea
ments has been to open will continue based on our
the New York channel soon maximum pressure cam-
after the Trump administra- paign to isolate the DPRK
tion got in," Yun told the until it agrees to begin
AP. "That allowed for direct credible talks toward a de-
talks and direct communi- nuclearized Korean penin-
cation. Really, there is no sula,” Nauert said, using the
problem with communi- initials of the North’s official
cating. It's problems of en- name. After first suggesting
gagement that have been he might not be replaced,
difficult." Nauert sent a statement to
Yun visited Pyongyang in reporters saying someone
June to secure the release would fill Yun’s position.
of U.S. college student Otto Yun’s immediate depar-
Warmbier, who had been ture will add to a shortage
imprisoned for 17 months of top diplomats handling
for stealing a propagan- Korean policy. The ambas-
da poster. Warmbier died sador post in South Korea
days after his repatriation. has been vacant for the
Yun has been frustrated by past year, adding to ques-
North Korea's reluctance tions about the direction
to release the remaining of U.S. policy as Trump has
Americans held in North Ko- vacillated between talk
rea and discuss its nuclear of war and willingness to
weapons program, which speak directly with leader
President Donald Trump Kim Jong Un. Experts de-
has threatened to disman- scribed Yun as one of the
tle by force, if necessary. few U.S. officials with expe-
State Department spokes- rience dealing at a senior
woman Heather Nauert level with North Korea. They
said Yun retired for person- predicted his departure will
al reasons, which the diplo- add to doubts about U.S.
mat confirmed. Secretary willingness to conduct di-
of State Rex Tillerson “has plomacy with Pyongyang,
reluctantly accepted his while compounding the
decision and wished him depletion of the State De-
well,” Nauert said. partment’s top ranks since
“We are sorry to see him re- Trump took office.q