South Korea official hits out at ‘chaotic’ US approach to Pyongyang after John Bolton memoir

Moon Chung-in, a special adviser to the South Korean president, said he had ‘strong doubts’ over whether the US could be trusted, given the revelations

He also accused Bolton, the former US national security adviser, of blowing up last year’s denuclearisation talks with North Korea in Hanoi

Reading Time:3 minutes

Moon Chung-in, special adviser on national security to South Korea's president Moon Jae-in, speaks to reporters in Seoul. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:00pm, 2 Jul 2020Updated: 6:53pm, 2 Jul 2020

An influential adviser to the South Korean president on Thursday lashed out at the United States over its “chaotic” decision-making over North Korea as was revealed in former US national security adviser John Bolton’s controversial memoir.

Moon Chung-in, a special adviser to President Moon Jae-in on foreign affairs and national security, also accused Bolton of thwarting talks with Pyongyang that came close to a deal on freezing the North’s nuclear weapons development in exchange for lifting some sanctions.

Having read the memoir, the adviser said, he had “strong doubts whether we could put trust in the US” as an ally.

“How could they make a decision in that fashion that would have global fallout?” he asked journalists.

John Bolton pictured in the White House last July while still the US national security adviser. Photo: AP

The White House’s decision concerning negotiations with North Korea in Hanoi last year was a “total mess”, Moon Chung-in said, with Bolton overturning moves by bureaucrats to keep a steady handle on the nuclear issue.

South Korea official hits out at ‘chaotic’ US approach to Pyongyang after John Bolton memoir

Moon Chung-in, a special adviser to the South Korean president, said he had ‘strong doubts’ over whether the US could be trusted, given the revelations He also accused Bolton, the former US national security adviser, of blowing up last year’s denuclearisation talks with North Korea in Hanoi

Moon Chung-in, a special adviser to the South Korean president, said he had ‘strong doubts’ over whether the US could be trusted, given the revelations

He also accused Bolton, the former US national security adviser, of blowing up last year’s denuclearisation talks with North Korea in Hanoi