Citing an unnamed US government source, the Times reports that the talks are meant to be similar to those that led to the surprise announcement of a normalization of relations with Cuba in December 2014.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan denied any such talks were taking place.
“Reports of US discussions with the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] are not true,” she said. “We have channels of communication with the DPRK and remain open to dialogue, with the aim of returning to credible and authentic negotiations on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We are not currently, however, engaged in such dialogue.”
Having third parties to help with negotiations — as the Vatican did with Cuba — would be key to any diplomatic undertakings. And though Kim Jong-un has never met with a foreign leader since he came to power 3 years ago, he said in his New Year's Day speech that he would be willing to reopen talks with South Korea, whose President, Park Geun-hye, has also indicated a willingness to talk.
“We believe we can resume suspended senior-level talks and hold other talks on specific issues if South Korea sincerely has a position that it wants to improve North-South relations through a dialogue,” said Jong-un. “And there is no reason not to hold the highest-level talks if the atmosphere and conditions are met.”
South Korea however, has placed a premium on any talks being open, not secret.
“The Korean government attaches great importance to transparency in pursuing dialogue and cooperation with North Korea,” spokeswoman Chun Hye-ran told the Times, while declining to comment on any possible back channel US talks.
