Citing Trump’s recent remark that “there will be a point at which, when you’re 20 percent through (the denuclearization process), that you (North Korea) can’t go back,” analysts at the Institute for National Security Strategy cited as a sign that the US will seek a “front-loaded process.” Trump had made the remark at the news conference following Tuesday’s summit.

He also said “we don’t know” how long exactly it might take for North Korea to get 20 percent into the denuclearization process, or what specific steps constitute that level of progress, “but it will happen pretty quick.”

The INSS said the US has set “20 percent” of the entire denuclearization process as a standard for “irreversible” denuclearization. It has been demanding the North dismantle its nuclear program in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner.

A front-loaded process in this case means North Korea’s abandonment of key parts of its nuclear weapons program at the outset, including warheads, materials and intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the INSS. This will be done in exchange for US incentives such as security guarantees and normalization of ties, it added.

“But what must be addressed is how the US will offer a complete, verifiable, irreversible guarantee of the North’s regime security in return,” Lee Soo-hyoung, an analyst at the INSS said.

“North Korea continues to doubt whether the security guarantee will stay permanent. A majority support from the US Congress is needed for a more permanent guarantee, but it will be difficult because the US political sphere is extremely polarized – which is why the Sentosa agreement fell short of mentioning ‘CVIG.’”

The think-tank also noted that both sides will be able to discuss “bold follow-up measures” on removing the key parts of the North’s nuclear weapons program, as Washington and Pyongyang have already held a series of high-level and working-level talks leading up to the summit.

Regarding the planned follow-up negotiations with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on denuclearization, the INSS said that North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho is likely to be Pompeo’s counterpart. Ri was among Kim‘s aides who accompanied the North Korean leader to Singapore.

The reclusive nation is also likely to have formed a task force of its party and military officials to implement summit agreements. It is expected to be supervised by the North’s former military intelligence chief and one of Kim Jong-un’s closest aides Kim Yong-chol or Ri.

Meanwhile, former Unification Minister Lee Jong-suk, speaking at a forum hosted by private think-tank Sejong Institute, said that North Korea is expected to take measures to denuclearize within the next two to three weeks.

(mkjung@heraldcorp.com)