An AP news analysis
TOKYO (AP) The U.S.-North Korea summit appears to be back on track, but Pyongyang is showing increased impatience at comments coming out of Washington that what leader Kim Jong Un really wants, even more than his nuclear security blanket, is American-style prosperity.
Its a core issue for Kim and a message President Donald Trump shouldnt ignore as they work to nail down their summit next month in Singapore.
Kim is as enthusiastic as Trump to see the summit happen as soon as possible, but the claim that his sudden switch to diplomacy over the past several months shows he is aching for U.S. economic aid and private-sector know-how presents a major problem for the North Korean leader, who cant be seen as going into the summit with his hat in his hand.
The claim is also quite possibly off target.
North Korea is far more interested in improving trade with China, its economic lifeline, and with South Korea, which it sees as a potential gold mine for tourism and large-scale joint projects. Getting the U.S. to back off sanctions so he can pursue those goals, along with the boost to his legitimacy and whatever security guarantees he can take home, is more likely foremost on Kims mind.
Even so, the Norths perceived thirst for U.S. economic aid has consistently been the message coming from Trump and his senior officials. All Kim needs to do, they suggest, is commit to denuclearization and American entrepreneurs will be ready to unleash their miracles on the countrys sad-sack economy.
I truly believe North Korea has brilliant potential and will be a great economic and financial nation one day, Trump tweeted Sunday. Kim Jong Un agrees with me on this.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has laid Washingtons road map out in more detail.
We can create conditions for real economic prosperity for the North Korean people that will rival that of the South, he said earlier this month in a televised interview. It wont be U.S. taxpayers. It will be American know-how, knowledge, entrepreneurs and risk-takers working alongside the North Korean people to create a robust economy for their people.
Pompeo suggested that Americans help build out the Norths energy grid, develop its infrastructure and deliver the finest agricultural equipment and technology so they can eat meat and have healthy lives.
Kim has emphatically not agreed to any of that.
Under Trumps maximum pressure policy, international sanctions on North Korea are stronger than ever. Sanctions relief would open the door for more trade with China, South Korea and possibly Russia partners North Korea trusts more than it trusts Washington and potentially unlock access to global financial institutions.
The last thing Kim wants is to give up his nuclear weapons only to have his country overrun with American businessmen and entrepreneurs.
To Pyongyangs ears, that scenario is less an offer than a threat.
Despite its very real need for foreign investment, Kims regime has good reason to be wary of economic aid in general. Opening up to aid inevitably involves somwe degree of increased contact with potentially disruptive outsiders, calls for change, loosening of controls and restrictions all of which could be seen as a threat to Kims near absolute authority.
