Vast experience of North Korea's new nuclear envoy seen as a plus

Mr Kim Myong Gil has had extensive exposure to interactions with the US at various nuclear talks.
Mr Kim Myong Gil has had extensive exposure to interactions with the US at various nuclear talks.
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Affable. Well-informed. Honest broker. These are some of the terms used to describe Mr Kim Myong Gil, North Korea's newly appointed chief nuclear negotiator who is slated to hold talks this week with the US Special Envoy for North Korea, Mr Stephen Biegun.

Experts say Mr Kim, 60, a veteran of international diplomacy with extensive experience in dealing with the US, can inject fresh optimism into the negotiations which have remained stalled for months. But they also warn that personal style and charisma may not matter much as the envoy is a mere messenger for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 04, 2019, with the headline Vast experience of North Korea's new nuclear envoy seen as a plus. Subscribe