US NSC Advisor: "Negotiations with North Korea Possible Around Next Year's Tokyo Olympics"

Robert O'Brien, White House National Security Council (NSC) Advisor (left), and Suh Hoon, Director of the National Security Office [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunbyeol Kim] Robert O'Brien, U.S. National Security Advisor to the White House (NSC), said on the 16th (local time) that there "may be an opportunity" around the time of the Tokyo Olympics next year regarding denuclearization talks with North Korea, expressing hope to have negotiation opportunities and see progress with North Korea.

O'Brien stated this during a virtual discussion hosted by the American think tank Aspen Institute, responding to questions about the U.S. strategy toward North Korea and prospects for North Korean denuclearization by saying, "I believe North Korea is interested in participating in the Tokyo Olympics."

He added, "I hope the Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be held next year," and said, "Before, during, or after the Olympics, the parties may come together to negotiate opportunities that lead to prosperity for the North Korean people and a better economic era, as well as some additional measures for sensible reductions and denuclearization."

While acknowledging the reality that it will be difficult for the Trump administration in its first term to make progress in negotiations with North Korea given the approaching U.S. presidential election, this is interpreted as meaning that if re-elected, the administration would pursue negotiations centered around the Tokyo Olympics.

O'Brien also mentioned his recent meeting with Suh Hoon, Director of the South Korean National Security Office, who visited the U.S., stating, "I believe South Korea is satisfied with the current position the U.S. is taking toward North Korea."

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