AP Interview: Moon adviser calls NKorea outreach ‘strategic’

SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of – A special adviser to the South Korean president says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un likely decided to put his nuclear weapons program up for negotiation to win outside rewards so he can improve his country’s economy, win public trust at home and prolong his leadership.

Moon Chung-in, a retired Yonsei University professor who is an influential adviser to President Moon Jae-in on inter-Korean and security issues, shared his assessment in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.

Kim is to hold separate summit talks in coming weeks with the South Korean leader and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Moon Chung-in says Kim likely reached out to Seoul and Washington because of a desire to improve livelihoods at home and win greater public support.