Seoul fears being sidelined in US-North Korea diplomacy
· Politics · South Korea · North Korea
South Korea is worried that US President Donald Trump's pursuit of a diplomatic breakthrough with Kim Jong Un may come at Seoul's expense, as ties between South Korea and the Trump administration are strained. Pyongyang has meanwhile denounced South Korea-US military drills and continued weapons testing. The concern reflects a shift in which Washington may deal directly with Pyongyang while Seoul's role in the process narrows.
Why it matters：If Washington negotiates directly with Pyongyang, South Korea's leverage over its own security environment could shrink significantly.
Key points
- South Korea's ties with the Trump administration are strained
- Trump is pursuing a diplomatic breakthrough with Kim Jong Un
- Pyongyang continues to denounce South Korea-US drills
Sources (original reporting)
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