Portrait of North Korea's 'number one negotiator'

For more than a year, US diplomats have been holding secret talks with North Korea's top nuclear negotiator in Pyongyang and other cities.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the meetings took place to establish a diplomatic channel to curb North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and free American prisoners being held in the country.

The negotiator sent by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is Ms. Choi Sun Hee, a familiar and well-known face to US officials.

Ms Choi speaks fluent English and is believed to have direct access to Kim Jong Un, raising hopes that Pyongyang could discuss the future of its weapons programme with the Trump administration.

However, the recent release of 22-year-old American student Otto Warmbier in a coma may complicate relations between the two sides.

“Given Warmbier’s condition, any diplomatic path forward will be extremely difficult,” said Suzanne DiMaggio of New America, a Washington-based think tank that helped establish an informal diplomatic channel with North Korea earlier this year.

Choi Sun Hee, director general of North American affairs at North Korea's foreign ministry, previously participated in nuclear arms talks under US Presidents Bill Clinton and Bush, US officials said.

"When meeting with a North Korean negotiator, American diplomats want to meet someone who can convey exactly what the North Koreans want us to know," said former US State Department official Robert Einhorn, who was responsible for North Korea issues under Presidents Obama and Clinton.

"Ms. Choi is an important negotiator, because of her experience and connections."

According to Vietnamnet