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North Korea's Kim Yong-chol on way to Washington
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Senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol (L) arrives at the international airport as he leaves for Washington from Beijing, China January 17, 2019.Image copyrightREUTERS
Image caption
Kim Yong-chol was seen in Beijing before he departed for Washington
One of North Korea's top negotiators is on his way to Washington to meet US officials ahead of a possible second summit between Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump.
South Korean reports say that Kim Yong-chol, flying from Beijing, is carrying another letter from Mr Kim to Mr Trump.
He is expected to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said.
Speculation is mounting that the second summit could be held in Vietnam.
The North Korean leader is scheduled to travel to the communist-run country for an "official state visit" sometime in February, Reuters news agency is reporting, citing unnamed sources.
Little progress has been made on North Korean de-nuclearisation since a historic meeting in Singapore last June between Mr Kim and Mr Trump.
But there has recently been a flurry of diplomatic activity. Mr Kim visited China earlier this month for talks with President Xi Jinping, as he did before the Singapore summit.
Meanwhile another senior North Korean official, vice-foreign minister Choe Son-hui, is heading to Sweden, where she could meet Washington's special representative for Pyongyang Stephen Biegun, reports say.
Kim Yong-chol: Kim Jong-un's right hand man
North Korea's breakdown of communication
Who is Kim Yong-chol?
General Kim Yong-chol, a former spymaster often referred to as Kim Jong-un's right hand man, has emerged as North Korea's lead negotiator in recent talks with the US.
He's a controversial figure, and has been accused of masterminding attacks on South Korean warships during his time as military intelligence chief in 2010.
He last visited Washington in June, when he delivered a letter to Mr Trump ahead of historic talks between both countries.
Video: Inside train used by Kim on China visit
N Korea ambassador to Italy 'disappears'
What could these talks achieve?
It's not clear. The last time Mr Kim went to the US, his letter to Mr Trump appeared to have helped get the Singapore summit back on track.
Negotiations between both countries have stalled since then, but this meeting could be what it takes to restart talks.
1 hour ago
Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share
Related TopicsTrump Kim summit
Senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol (L) arrives at the international airport as he leaves for Washington from Beijing, China January 17, 2019.Image copyrightREUTERS
Image caption
Kim Yong-chol was seen in Beijing before he departed for Washington
One of North Korea's top negotiators is on his way to Washington to meet US officials ahead of a possible second summit between Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump.
South Korean reports say that Kim Yong-chol, flying from Beijing, is carrying another letter from Mr Kim to Mr Trump.
He is expected to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said.
Speculation is mounting that the second summit could be held in Vietnam.
The North Korean leader is scheduled to travel to the communist-run country for an "official state visit" sometime in February, Reuters news agency is reporting, citing unnamed sources.
Little progress has been made on North Korean de-nuclearisation since a historic meeting in Singapore last June between Mr Kim and Mr Trump.
But there has recently been a flurry of diplomatic activity. Mr Kim visited China earlier this month for talks with President Xi Jinping, as he did before the Singapore summit.
Meanwhile another senior North Korean official, vice-foreign minister Choe Son-hui, is heading to Sweden, where she could meet Washington's special representative for Pyongyang Stephen Biegun, reports say.
Kim Yong-chol: Kim Jong-un's right hand man
North Korea's breakdown of communication
Who is Kim Yong-chol?
General Kim Yong-chol, a former spymaster often referred to as Kim Jong-un's right hand man, has emerged as North Korea's lead negotiator in recent talks with the US.
He's a controversial figure, and has been accused of masterminding attacks on South Korean warships during his time as military intelligence chief in 2010.
He last visited Washington in June, when he delivered a letter to Mr Trump ahead of historic talks between both countries.
Video: Inside train used by Kim on China visit
N Korea ambassador to Italy 'disappears'
What could these talks achieve?
It's not clear. The last time Mr Kim went to the US, his letter to Mr Trump appeared to have helped get the Singapore summit back on track.
Negotiations between both countries have stalled since then, but this meeting could be what it takes to restart talks.