WASHINGTON — The latest statements out of North Korea appear to be telegraphing Pyongyang's next set of provocative moves. It has threatened further ballistic missile tests, another nuclear test, and steps to acquire its own civilian nuclear capabilities unless the United Nations "apologizes" for its punitive statement against the April missile launch.
In the past, North Korea's threatening actions were always explained as a tactic to get the attention of the United States and draw Washington into bilateral talks. But the new U.S. administration has already signaled its willingness to have high-level negotiations with Pyongyang through special envoy Stephen Bosworth. Yet the North continues to threaten and refuses to come to the table. So what does it really want? Three things: • First, as a former State Department official who worked on the Clinton-era negotiations stated at a meeting in Washington earlier this month, I think the North wants agreements with the U.S. that are "election-proof." In other words, it wants agreements that will outlast a change of presidencies.
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