CIA appears to be involved in preparations for US-North Korea summit

Silver-haired Andrew Kim sat next to Pompeo at the meeting with the North Korean leader. Photo: Yonhap

A day earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former CIA Director, visited Pyongyang to make final preparations for the dialogue between President Trump and the North Korean leader, as well as to bring back three US citizens previously kidnapped by North Korea.

Pompeo appeared to be accompanied by Andrew Kim, head of the CIA's Korea Mission Center. In a photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a silver-haired Andrew Kim sat next to Pompeo during the meeting with the North Korean leader.

Observers say that Andrew Kim, who was born in South Korea, is believed to have come to the US as a high school student. He could have been chosen to assist the top US diplomat because he is fluent in both Korean and English, and has access to classified information as an intelligence agent.

Previously, Andrew Kim held several senior positions in the CIA covering Korea and the Asia-Pacific region, and is known to have extensive knowledge of North Korea. His views are said to be critical of the Northeast Asian nation.

He is said to have attended the same high school in Seoul as South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong and South Korean National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon.

In a photo published by a foreign news agency on May 9, Mr. Andrew Kim was seen welcoming Mr. Pompeo at Pyongyang airport, raising speculation that Mr. Andrew Kim may have visited North Korea earlier for a working-level meeting.

Washington and Pyongyang will soon announce the time and location of the US-North Korea summit./.