Yonhap: Choe Son Hui says she's (NKorea?) "dumbstruck" (aghast; 아연) at rumors of possible US-NK talks and that "there's no need to sit face to face with the US." Thread forthcoming as we hear more about her comments..1/ https://m.yna.co.kr/kr/contents/?cid=AKR20200704029400504

She says:
- No US-NK summit before Nov elections.
- Dumbfounded by rumors of possible Trump-Kim summit before Nov "without being aware of the concerned party (NK)."
- Laughs at rumors of a North Korean "October surprise."
- No need to talk face to face with the US..2/

These 3 points stand out:
(1) "우리와 판을 새롭게 짤 용단을 내릴 의지도 없는 미국이 어떤 잔꾀를 가지고 우리에게 다가오겠는가 하는것은 구태여 만나보지 않아도 뻔하다"No need to meet the US that doesn't have the will to courageously devise a new framework but comes w/ tricks..3/

(2) "미국이 아직도 협상같은것을 가지고 우리를 흔들수 있다고 생각한다면 오산이다" It's a miscalculation if the US still thinks it can shake us with things like negotiations..4/

(3) "우리는 이미 미국의 장기적인 위협을 관리하기 위한 보다 구체적인 전략적계산표를 짜놓고있다." We are already devising detailed strategic calculation table beyond just managing long-term US threats to us..5/

Her statement shows SKorea's newly reshuffled natl security team is in trouble. Unless it appeases NK 100% at the expense of the alliance. Moon brought all hands on deck - he told his EU counterparts earlier this week he will do everything to hold Trump-Kim summit before Nov..6/

When NK says no, it often means "yes but it will cost you big." Sounds like Choe's statement is essentially saying, "give us a huge downpayment for talks and maybe we will consider it." Implying Biegun come to Seoul Monday with a huge present. Typical NK negotiating behavior..7/