U.S., South Korea are reportedly coordinating on North Korea talks as deadline looms


The United States is seemingly running out of time to re-establish talks with North Korea, and South Korea says Washington is "very actively" trying to make sure that doesn't happen.
A year-end deadline for the U.S. to show more flexibility in denuclearization talks with North Korea set by Pyongyang earlier this year is fast approaching. Chung Eui-yong, a South Korean national security adviser, said Sunday that Seoul is taking the date "very seriously," adding that the government was in coordination with the United States.
But, so far, after the most recent round of talks failed in October, there hasn't been much movement. "Only if talks between high-rank officials happen and lead to substantial progress, will the third North Korea-United States summit be possible," Chung told reporters, per Reuters.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
North Korea acknowledged Friday that the window for talks was indeed closing. Pyongyang, however, did not elaborate on what would happen after the deadline, so it's unclear if there would be any chance of reviving talks at a later date. Of course, it's possible the deadline is mainly a negotiating tactic, though it sounds like Washington and Seoul would prefer not to wait and see. Read more at Reuters.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Bluetoothing: the phenomenon driving HIV spike in Fiji
Under the Radar ‘Blood-swapping’ between drug users fuelling growing health crisis on Pacific island
-
Marisa Silver’s 6 favorite books that capture a lifetime
Feature The author recommends works by John Williams, Ian McEwan, and more
-
Book reviews: ‘We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution’ and ‘Will There Ever Be Another You’
Feature The many attempts to amend the U.S. Constitution and Patricia Lockwood’s struggle with long Covid
-
The North Korean troops readying for deployment in Ukraine
The Explainer Third country wading into conflict would be 'the first step to a world war' Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned
-
What's happening at the North Korea border?
The Explainer Tensions rise as hermit kingdom blows up 'symbolic' roads after accusing Seoul of flying drones over Pyongyang
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
In depth Most of us probably won’t realise that we are in a global conflict – at first
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read